“Beautiful Paintings are portals to another world, reminding us of the Wonder in our own.”
-Joyful
Get the whole story and take a deeper dive into my artistic journey.
Hi I’m Joyful!
Iʼm a fine artist specializing in oil paintings of the underwater world. The magic and wonder of the ocean has always captured my imagination. As a child, I would spend my afternoons reading books about sea creatures and drawing them. My first sketchbooks were made out of the fly-leafs of my fathers books. Recurring adventures of breathing underwater and exploring the ocean with pods of whales filled my nighttime dreams.
As I grew up, that childlike wonder was lost - crowded out by the pressures and pains of accumulated trauma. At the young age of 22, I almost died. Only a miraculous act could explain how I survived. God gave me a second chance at life and reawakened within my heart a sense of love, purpose, and wonder. The aquatic dreams returned, reminding me of a calling to pursue creating marine wildlife art. With the help of friends and family, I moved to Florida to pursue a formal, representational art education and to study aquatic life.
Education
During my time in Florida, I completed both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art and Painting, and also studied with Master Artists such as Brian Jekel, Derek Penix, and Greg Beecham.
Conservation
Collaborating with conservation groups and becoming scuba certified worked hand-in-hand with my artistic studies to help me authentically connect with my subject matter, develop proficient artistic skills, and cultivate a unique voice and style.
How I Work
Primarily I paint with oils, blending palette knife and brush techniques to create a harmonious balance between accuracy and expression. This sensitivity guides my style, capturing an authentic experience of the underwater worlds energizing atmosphere, movement, color, and light. Through beauty, these aquatic portals serve to reawaken wonder and hope for all people.
Collaborations
Collaborations with other wildlife artists, naturalists, marine biologists, and conservationists help continue to educate my understanding and appreciation for marine wildlife as well as create an avenue to support ocean conservation efforts through my artwork. Some of the organizations with which I am pleased to partner are the Coastal Conservation Association, 4Ocean, and the C.A.R.E. Center.
Accolades
Over the past several years, my work has garnered awards and international attention through museum and gallery exhibitions, press coverage by publications such as Southwest Art and Fine Art Connoisseur, Artist Grants through the Stobart Foundation and the Mystic Seaport Museum, and membership in prestigious artistic organizations such as American Society of Marine Artists, The Society of Animal Artists, The Oil Painters of America.
These experiences have greatly enriched my artistic journey and have provided me with the opportunity to share the beauty of the underwater world with more people than I ever thought possible.
Where to find my art
Currently my work is represented by the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, Gupton Gallery, and Tabora Galleries.
Currently I’m based in the Pacific Northwest of Washington State.
“All art starts with a simple idea or feeling that I’m drawn to explore, capture, and share.”
The beauty of art is found in its ability to speak to all people and move their hearts with wonder. Awakening the wonder within the weary soul drives the creative purpose behind every piece of my artwork. To create an authentic and engaging experience, it is vital to stay consistently connected to the underwater world through diving, snorkeling, wildlife conservation, and research. The created world, like its Creator, contains endless mystery, beauty, and wonder to inspire the heart.
Research
My creative process truly begins in the water. Soaking in the sights and sounds through snorkeling or diving helps me build an accurate feel for the underwater world and save it to memory. I also take photographs to capture a special moment or a particular aspect of marine life behavior and anatomy for later reference. Research often includes visiting aquariums with animal rehab facilities where I can interview a marine biologist or naturalist to learn more about the creatures I’m painting or even volunteer with animal care. All these personal connections with marine life enhance the quality of my artwork by giving it depth and authenticity.
Sketching
Once I’m back in the studio, I begin capturing my underwater impressions through thumbnail sketches. These little doodles help me simplify my experiences into specific designs and focus on the overall concept and composition for each painting. They also help me work through potential creative difficulties and ensure a solid foundation for building a successful painting. Very often, I’ll also complete a more finished drawing or painted sketch to practice capturing a creature's unique anatomy or movement before starting on the final canvas.
Painting
Extensive research and preparatory work serve as guideposts for my final work, allowing me to approach a blank canvas with the freedom to explore an expressive blend of palette knife and brush work. Using oil paints also offers the flexibility to create a variety of textures and layers. The sensitive balance between artistry and accuracy defines my unique style which effectively captures the true essence of life underwater. The whole process concludes with the completion of a truly original and authentic work of art.
All tools and materials I use for creating have been carefully selected with you in mind. Using only the highest quality materials ensures the luminosity and longevity of every work of art - making them true heirlooms for many generations.
Painting Tools
Primarily I use a combination of brushes and palette knives when painting. Rosemary & Co. hand-makes superb quality brushes with durable, “springy” hairs. These brushes move and hold the paint well, allowing me to create a wide variety of brushstrokes and textures. I utilize a variety of their synthetic and bristle brushes, but my favorite workhorses are their long-handled Eclipse Filberts. My go-to Palette knife is the Holbein MX-1066s. It’s a relatively small knife with surprisingly flexibility that helps me build up unique textures and crisp edges. There are some effects in my work that only a knife can achieve, especially when capturing lighting effects.
Oil Paints
Although I enjoy experimenting with different paints from time to time, Michael Harding Oil Paints are my primary choice for colors on my palette. Michael Harding paints are hand-crafted out of natural materials in the tradition of the old masters and contain no chemical fillers or extenders. This ensures the color’s intensity and prevents cracking, brittleness, and wrinkling over time. Some of my “special” colors are Michael Harding’s “Cobalt Teal” and “Brilliant Pink”
Surfaces
For my style of work, I find that I continually gravitate towards working on either an extra fine double oil-primed linen or ultra-smooth gessoed birch wood cradled panels. For linen I use Clausenn’s #13 extra-fine, double oil-primed linen. These surfaces are both highly durable and work well for creating that slick, wet look of the underwater world.
Inspiring Playlist
Sometimes this means an educational podcast, nature documentary, or spiritual, Lo-Fi beats.
My Favorite Whale-shaped Cup from Hawaii
Filled with coffee…and sometimes wine (let’s be honest)
Comfy Attire
Hoodie, pajama pants, and fuzzy slippers. Truthfully, this is what I wear 90% of the time in the studio.
Dive Sites
The underwater world is constantly in motion and offers a unique experience every time I come back to the water. Being suspended between surface and seafloor opens the heart and mind to magical moments full of artistic possibilities. Some of my favorite dives have been in Florida’s gin-clear springs and the tropical coral forests of the Bahamas.
Stanley Meltzoffs Book “Picture Maker”
Stanley was the father of underwater marine life painting and one of the first artists to try scuba equipment after it was invented. His work continues to inspire me with his mastery of artistic skill and sensitivity to his subject.