J.J. Joyce

       As a child, JJ always had a strong interest in drawing. Instead of getting coloring books like most children, she was given paper and crayons. She created images from her own imagination and observations. As she grew that interest was nurtured and became more intense. Her passion for her art lead her attend the University of Madison, Wisconsin, where she graduated in 1974, earning a Bachelors of Art Education degree "With Honor", with an emphasis in painting and photography.

      Upon graduation, JJ was recruited to teach and set up a High School art program in Australia, which was a great learning experience for her. After she returned home, where she received a Graphic Design degree at Madison Technical College in 1977. Upon graduation she was hired as a graphic designer. Then after going to Marquette University for a business course, she was hired as an Account Executive for an advertising agency. When she got married and had a child, she continued to educate herself by attending the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, where in 2001, she received a Master’s Degree of Art Education "With Honors" with an emphasis in Computer Graphics in 2001. JJ also took additional courses at Milwaukee Technical College in Photography. She used these skills in computer graphics and photography to fine tune her layouts for her future artworks. This background all has led to her yearning and desire to return to her primary love of painting and photography fulltime.  It has also enabled her to use her skills in computer graphics and photography to fine tune her layouts for her artwork.

      Her home in Fox Point has provided JJ with another blank canvas. What was a typical suburban backyard JJ (as a master gardener) has turned into a beautiful sanctuary filled with unique flora and fauna, that has provided a haven for all forms of wildlife. As a young wife, mother and professional artist, this sanctuary has been able to remove the day’s stresses and allow her to commute with nature in a way that can soothe an artist’s soul.

      This backyard canvas gave rise to the current "Aquatic" series and "Floral and Garden" series. All of these paintings exhibit vibrant, bold colors, and meticulous details, the "signature" of a J.J. Joyce painting. Her colors and thick wrapped canvases allow the viewer to become a part of the dream she has created. A rainbow of color can be found in one wave of water or one petal of a flower. Peace and serenity are evident when viewing these works as JJ invites the viewer into her refuge and provides them with a soothing, tranquil feeling.

      As an artist, J.J. is primarily an oil painter. She also paints in acrylic and is an avid photographer. By combining photoshop and painting, J. J. creates a Hand Painted Digital Photography on canvas.

      J.J. is a member of the Oil Painters of America, the Acrylic and Oil Painter Society, The League of Milwaukee Artists, Wisconsin Visual Artist, The Rogues Artists Group and Federated Garden Club.