Awakening Painting

Joyce was interested in drawing since childhood, but didn't study art until college, when she took a few courses. she thought she had no talent when compared to the more advanced students, and gave up, earning a BA in French literature. After graduation, she went to work for Pan American World Airways, and eventually started her own travel agency, in Los Altos, California. Many years later she went to a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit, and was in complete awe at the beauty of his work. In 1997 she and her husband moved to Washington State to be near their grandchildren. This provided an opportunity to take glassblowing lessons, as she had never forgotten the colors and shapes of Chihuly’s glass. She didn't let the fact that she was 57 stop her from following her dream. After two years of hard work, she switched to oil painting. 25 years later and after much instruction, she still loves painting in oils. While living on Whidbey Island she took part in several exhibits, and won first place for a portrait in the Island County Fair. She and her husband, Jack, moved to Panama when they retired, in 2010. It is a beautiful country and they loved the culture. She joined the local art society and exhibited in juried shows, as well as a number of private shows, including a gallery at the Sheraton Hotel in Panama City. Although they enjoyed their time there, they decided to return to the United States to be closer to their children, when Jack became seriously ill. Her focus was to take care of him, so she had little time to paint for the next four years. Alone now, she paints with a passion. Her work is evolving. " I see humanity as living in two worlds at the same time - the world of truth, and the world of illusion. Grace,is the state of love, which I achieve through forgiveness, and by releasing all judgement. My painting is inspired by Spirit. I meditate every morning and often see pictures in my mind that I paint. Now, I like to paint abstracts or expressionist paintings, using color and form to evoke a heart felt resonse from my viewers". Recent research is finding that people respond to color. An example is the color black, which is very strong, associated in western culture with evil and anger. Cheerful colors can be yellow, or pink, and blue or lavender which might evoke a sense of tranquility. Chagall said: "Color is all. When color is right, form is right. Color is everything, color is vibration like music; everything is vibration".