In Joy’s Own Words

Joy’s Story

Like many in our society, I once moved about in such a hurried way that touching the beauty and current of life remained just out of reach. Five years ago, I experienced a bereavement which brought me to my knees. In the time that followed, a transformation began. My eyes saw the tiniest of objects and my hands placed them in patterns that spoke to me about my experiences.

Stones, broken glass, bullet casings, wood, feathers, bones, beads and many other objects took shape in ways that mirrored my inner world. Before, I had seen those very same objects but in a hurried, harried way. Now, with this experience of death, my vision has been sharpened but time has slowed enough to allow to touch the current of life and beauty that was always just out of reach.

My art recognizes and highlights a tension in the disparate value our collective places on broken, mundane, and discarded objects. The broken jewelry and glass, the fractured toys, the bolts and nails, feathers, stones and beads are things that we look past every day or perceive them as trash.

I gathered these items and started to arrange them in patterns that mirrored my inner world, simultaneously releasing the need to qualify and categorize these newfound objects or my life experiences as either good or bad.  

I think about our life experiences in the same way, that we categorize our experiences into good or bad. Recovery teaches us that an experience is just what happens, and that we can stay in peace by staying in present experience. 

Each piece of art tells a part of my story which has had many aspects that others might consider to be harrowing.  Blessed with resilience, what brings meaning to me is the idea that I might share meaning with others.

“Why?” is the existential question that plagues those that have experienced trauma or tragedy, but my work sidesteps that inquiry. Despite not knowing why, I chose to communicate through art the idea that beauty permeates all we do and experience. When we experience the reciprocity of artistic expression together, we can rest in the moment of present shared experience. 

Artist’s CV

No formal training in art and began making art 5 years ago
NEXT Gallery member: non profit volunteer
Creative Catalyzers Board
40West member
NOBO Art District member
City of Boulder Public Art Selection Panel

Ongoing

• Multiple shows in coffee shops and restaurants in Boulder

2021

• SYNC Gallery Contributing Artist 2021

2020

• Sync Contributing Artist, “The Quickening” and “Our Hearts Grew Weary”, Winter 2020
• Mississippi State University, The Art of Hope, “Hope is a Fiendish Bitch” and “Rebuild” Jan. 10-Jan. 31, 2020
• Marin Society of Artists, Artist’s Vision, “When She Spoke”, Feb. 6-29, 2020
• Shambala Center, In the Mood for Mindfulness, “The Altar” and “Within” March 27- April 4, 2020 ON HOLD
• Next Gallery, Member Artist, Joint show with Charlee Walters, multiple pieces May 17-June 2, 2020
• From Darkness Until Dawn: Seeds of Contemplation, Pine St. Church “Sunrise Sacrament” Feb. 23-April 8, 2020
• R Gallery, Upcycled Show: “Pondering PTSD” , March 2020, virtual exhibit
• Vanessa Lacy Gallery, Small Works: “Crazy in Love” and “I Have Always Loved You”, April-May 2020, virtual exhibit
• 40 West Gallery, Lost and Found “Springtime on Sugarloaf” and “Too Much/Not Enough” May 1 – June 30
• Las Laguna Gallery: Laguna Beach Open 2020 “The Narcissist”, “Sunrise Sacrament” and “Take Me, I’m Yours”, May 7 – May 30
• Firehouse Art Center Online Show “Walking on Eggshells,” “Take Me, I’m Yours” and “Sunrise Sacrament” May 9 – June 30
• Next Gallery, Expressions of the Aftermath (solo show) May 13 – May 31
• Marin Society of Artist, Expressions 2020 “Sunrise Sacrament” May 14 – June 27
• R Gallery, Strange Times “Michael’s Flower” and “Ghost Spring” June 2020
• Las Laguna Gallery, Small Works/Big Talent 2020 “Crazy in Love” June 4 – June 27
• SAGE Community Arts, SAGE 10th Annual National Juried Show “Sunrise Sacrament” June 16-25
• Lightspacetime.art, Seascapes 2020 Online Exhibition “The Altar” June 1-30
• Core New Art Space, Black and White Show “All My Grandmothers” July 10-26
• Lightspacetime.art, Primary Colors 2020 Online Exhibition “Walking on Eggshells” July 1-30
• 40 West Members Showcase 2020 “Forest Flower,” “Nymph,” “Way to Blue,” “Born,” “The Watcher,” “The Quickening,” “Dionysus,” “I Will Protect You” Aug 1-31
• Louisville Art Association 2020 National Fine Art Show “When She Spoke” “Born” Aug.31-Sept 7
• 2020 The 2nd Half – 50 and Over Exhibition at Las Laguna Gallery “Forest Flower”
• 40West: The Art of Conservation “Begin Again, Forest Flower and Our Hearts Grew Weary” October 2 – October 27
  • Received Award of Excellence for “Our Hearts Grew Weary”

• 40West Gallery: Life and Death “Arachnoiditis and Colorado Cries November 6-November 30
• 40West Gallery Small Works 2020
• Studio32Nobo Featured Artist December 2020
• Next Gallery Holiday Market Dec.2020
• R Gallery, BAA Featured Artist, “Walking on Eggshells,” “I Will Protect You,” “A Horse with No Name,” “Opening,” and “First Journey” Dec. 2020
• Lightspacetime.art Nature 2020 Art Exhibition “I Will Protect You”
• Received Special Recognition Award

2019

• Art League of Rhode Island Brain and Spinal Disorders Show: “Overthinking” June 2019
• Art Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County: Reclaimed Show: “Every Heart is Holy” July 2019
• Summit County Arts Council, Meet the Artists: multiple pieces, Sept. 2019
• Grand Junction Downtown Arts Fest: multiple pieces; Oct. 2019
• Lincoln Gallery, Regional Fine Arts Show; “Elemental”, “Vajra Flower” 2019
• Conception Arts, Emerging Women Artists: Oct. 23, 2019; multiple pieces
• Millers and Rossi Gallery, Colorado Local, “Vajra Flower” Fall 2019
• Boulder County Arts Alliance, Member Show; Fall 2019

2018

• Muriel Sibel Wolfe Gallery show: May 2018; multiple pieces
• Bricolage Gallery: Dec 2018; Expressions of the Aftermath; multiple pieces

2017

• Art as Medicine Show, Dairy Center: “Springtime on Sugarloaf” Jan. 2017

2016

• Paramita Gallery Faculty Show: 2016