About Joy         Home

Joy was born on April 23, 1959, and was raised in Griswold, Manitoba. She moved to Brandon in 1975 where she completed her high school and later studied to become a Certified General Accountant. Today she teaches in the business division of Assiniboine Community College in Brandon. Her family, friends, and in particular her two children, play an important role in her life and interests include reading, the arts, photography, and travel. Having no formal training in art, she has learned through the study of others’ paintings as well as reading everything she can in regards to technique, color, and composition.

Coming from an extreme climate, one finds that their mood is often dictated by the weather. As a result, my paintings are inspired by thoughts of the warmer months, visions of abounding colors, and the smells of nature that are so welcome during the summer. At first controlling the pigment was a feat I thought I’d never accomplish but the perfectionist in me demanded that I’d not be happy until I’d somewhat mastered the transparency of watercolors that others so beautifully have. Painting very quickly went from being a hobby to a passion. I am fascinated by color, and the vision of light dancing on otherwise inanimate objects, seemingly bringing them to life. I try to convey this excitement through my work with hopes that it adds a bit of color to what otherwise may seem a drab world.

My formal education is as an accountant and I found that I was at a time in my life where I was looking for a direction, a place that I could escape to from the trials and demands of everyday living. Painting gave me that diversion, and so much more.