Welcome to my virtual studio for Chico Art Center’s Open Studios Art Tour. I am an artist, writer, and designer in Chico Ca. I have loved writing throughout my life, and focused my education on writing, drama, and filmmaking, while studying Communications at CSU Chico. As life goes, my path changed with marriage, children and back to college to study nursing. I published my first book, “Faces of Chico”, in a collaboration with local author Lois Morrison, in 2002. This was followed by my first solo endeavor in 2003, titled ‘Virgin Mother of Three.”
I discovered painting in 2009. After my first piece, I was hooked and became an active artist, showing my work in multiple solo and group shows.
In 2011 my painting was placed on hold. With exception of a requested piece for friends or fund raisers, my energy went to balancing my career in health administration and caring for my aging mother and aunt.
In 2017 I left my position in health care. After allowing myself time to breathe, meditate and soul search, I created Joie de Vie Art and Word, a business platform for my art and writing. I realized the path of an artist cold be difficult, if one planned to make a living. So, I studied a bit, bought a giclee printer, created a line of fun art cards (Head in the Clouds Cards), marketed them to a few boutique gifts shops with good reception and went live with my website and blog.
All my art and designs have begun with acrylic paint and canvas. I love bringing an idea to life through the strokes of my brush. I have a broad spectrum of themes in my collections: dance, music, nature, bicycles and little moments in life. I love the way color and themes can evoke emotion in a viewer. My objective is to evoke joy in my audience. The joy of color, a fond memory, or whimsical moment in life, all there for the finding. This life and time can be stressful, when a visitor leaves my studio a bit lighter of heart and step, I am grateful.
I believe there is joy in art: in creating art, in sharing art, in viewing art and in owning art. Not everyone can afford a painting or has a wall to hang it, so I have found ways to make my art available to many. I started with my line of artful cards. Soon I moved to fabrics printed with eco-friendly colors and pigments to bring my images to life in alternative, artful designs, including scarves, table linens, pillows, hand tied quilts and hand embroidered belts. Always something new popping up.
I have learned so much as Joie de Vie Art & Word has grown. Little did I know that I would love design; little did I know I would love to paint. Not all my paintings end up in print. Not all my prints are on every product. I enjoy creating unique, artful designs for people to adorn themselves or their homes. I like making quality gift items that people can share. I love getting lost in a painting for hours at a time. I love sharing my art and joy with others. My heart soars when a painting finds a forever home. My life is enriched by the people art brings into my life: other artists, shop owners, and, most of all, studio visitors and patrons.
Welcome to my studio.
