Joyce Howard, Marietta, Georgia
Member Since January 2015
Artist Statement We are all connected throughout the universe....people, animals, plants, rivers, rocks, sky, planets...everything is a huge network. I like to capture those connections in my paintings. Sunlight on a flower, a stream flowing over rocks, a child with its reflection in the aquarium glass, a turtle hiding under a bush, people chatting on a sandy beach in the warm sun.
People are linked to each other -- families, ancestors, homeplaces, places we've traveled together. Our brains make those connections every second we're alive. We continue to connect to those no longer with us through those memories of them. I strive to paint those connections and the feelings we share.
When painting portraits I try to capture the personality or mood of that person or animal so that the viewer connects with them. I want the viewer to know something about the person/animal and how they’re feeling just by seeing their picture.
The Mona Lisa -- it’s not just the skill or beauty of the painting that captures our attention -- it’s the mystery of that face and smile. What is she thinking? We want to connect with her thoughts and feelings.
I've enjoyed drawing for as long as I can remember. When I was twelve I pleaded with my parents to let me drop piano lessons and take art lessons from an artist who lived in our neighborhood. She helped me see the world differently and connect with it through my drawing and painting.
I learned to juggle as a teenager and it’s my other passion in life -- helping others enjoy the pure childlike pleasure of playing with objects through performing and teaching. The community of jugglers is a caring and delightful group – my connection to people worldwide.
I am a mom, artist, website designer, photographer and juggler -- not always in that order!
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