I first met Barbie artist Judy Ragagli at an art opening in Malibu over a decade ago. I’d been told about her about her gorgeous paintings by a client who insisted  that I attend the opening. Malibu is a long drive from Hollywood, but I was thrilled that I made the drive. I was stunned by the lifelike quality of Judy’s work, and because I’m also a painter, I immediately recognized her remarkable skill and talent. Judy told me that she was taught to paint by utilizing only 7 colors of paint, therefore, everything you see above is mixed from those colors. Many guests at the art opening thought they were viewing photographs, which happens frequently to Ms. Ragagli.

Judy has tremendous respect for Barbie’s legacy, and strives to honor the ever elegant nostalgic Barbie, with her demure sideways glance. This period in Barbies history takes us back nearly 55 years to her beginnings in the very late 50’s and early 60’s. Judy’s paintings conjure up the feeling of Camelot. Think Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy with her sleeveless A-line dresses, above the elbow gloves and graceful necklines that actually leave something to the imagination.  Like our former first lady, Barbie is an icon that continues to endure. Can you believe over a BILLION  have been sold worldwide since 1959.  That’s a stunning achievement.

You can learn more about Judy’s work by visiting her website here or you can also follow here on facebook here.  There are Barbie pillows and other goodies available at Raymond Lawrence in Palm Springs or the Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage.  I’m happy to report that I’ve owned an original Judy Ragagli Barbie painting for nearly a decade, and I never grow tired of it. Judy created a custom piece for me, letting me choose the background color and well as the dress color. I’m not sure if she still does commissions. But it never hurts to ask.