Artwork copyright Judy McMillan. Photo courtesy of the artist.

You Must Realize, 1981

Judy McMillan
American (born 1952)

Location: Washington Veterans Home, Retsil

About the Artwork

You Must Realize is a painting by artist Judy McMillan. It shows aspen leaves and pine needles that have fallen among different wild flowers. Look closely and you will find several small figures scattered about in the composition. Some of the images include a horse, a pair of sunglasses, and a man on a flying carpet. The artist’s use of these images is inspired by the work of Carl Jung. Jung was a noted Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst from the early 20th century. He studied common images and symbols that hold meaning for different people and cultures. He called these shared images “archetypes.” He saw them as an important way to understand our memories and dreams.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Veterans Affairs.

About the Artist

Artist Judy McMillan creates paintings and drawings that combine organic and abstract forms and feature expressive symbols. She lives and works in Cheney, Eastern Washington.