Welcoming 2017

A new year means new inspiration and new paintings! I am excited for what this year holds especially when it comes to painting and showing.

I wrapped up 2016 with a 7 painting commission for Northwest FCS in Spokane, Washington. It was a great new series and all of the hours of painting truly paid off! Below are some photos of the paintings in in their new home:

Looking ahead, I have a new show going up for the month of February in Insomnia Coffee Co. off Baseline. Come get a great cup of coffee and take a look at some of my favorite paintings! I will also have a collection of some new smaller paintings as well. For information on the Baseline Insomnia, check out: http://insomniacoffee.co/locations/ 

With a start to a new year, many people make New Years resolutions (that have probably already become more like wishful thinking...), but for me January is a month when I tend to do a lot of reflecting. Looking backwards but also looking forwards. The question I have been pondering most recently is: In the world and the state it is in, what place does art have in it? When I sit down at the easel, what can I do to help bring just a taste of healing to a complicated world? I have realized that it is such a privilege, in painting specifically, to have the ability to create something that will long out-live me. The act of painting is in essence leaving a legacy. People will be looking at paintings created in 2017 perhaps a hundred years from now!

My goal this year is to keep creating work that brings joy and hope to those who see it. Who knows, it could have a bigger impact than I could imagine! Despite all of the controversy and division, art is something that brings us together. It is something everyone can connect with.  This is important to remember in a time like ours. To my artist friends out there, keep making art! Keep painting, designing, acting, building, writing, creating and dreaming. Our world needs us!

Cheers to a new and hopeful year!

~Christine Joy

 

 

October Has Arrived

How is it that autumn has already arrived? I found myself getting in the spirit last weekend with this little pumpkin painting! 

This piece is from a plein air workshop with  Aimee Erickson from last weekend in Hood River. She is utterly brilliant with color theory and had plenty of helpful tricks & techniques for oil painting. It is amazing how even after Fine Art School and a lifetime full of painting, there are still so many things to learn. Experiences like these make me remember why I love to paint! 

I took another workshop recently at Crater Lake with one of my all time favorite artists, Dan Rickards. We hiked up on the rim of the crater and did some sketching & chatting about life & painting. When the sun hits the lake, it becomes the most vibrant shade of blue - it is surreal!  

On October 24th there will be a retrospective show of artwork of Crater Lake in Dan's gallery, The Clearwater Gallery - and I am lucky enough to have a painting in the show! If you are going through Sisters, Oregon, make sure you stop by!

For more information about the gallery and the upcoming show, take a look at http://www.theclearwatergallery.com/.

In other news: I have been selling comissions left & right! This season has by far been one of the busiest. Commissions are always fun because they always pose a new challenge and I love working with the stories people tell me. 

If you are interested in a custom piece  and would like more information about the process, feel free to send me an email at christinejoypainting@yahoo.com

My website is always updated with the newest available paintings as well. Paintings are a great gift option (especially with the holidays just around the corner)!

Don't forget that November 4th through the 6th is the Stormy Weather Arts Festival 2016 in Cannon Beach! Need an excuse to come to the coast? Come and see me & my artwork at Haystack Gallery! I will be painting live throughout the weekend. For more information check out: http://www.cannonbeach.org/events/Entertainment/29th-Stormy-Weather-Arts-Festival

The easiest way to follow what I am up to & to see what is on the easel each week, follow me on Instagram: @christinejoypaintings.

Anywho, that is all for now! Cheers to a great weekend and this lovely fall weather!

Until next time,

Christine Joy