Joyful Art Expressions began as a combination of my love for quotes and my desire for Holiday decorations that were not store bought. That were not something that everyone and their cousin would have!
Technically, I opened shop in 2012 under the name Bookish Designs where I created and sold hand printed Tshirts with Bookish quotes as well as Fairy Tale inspired paintings. It was the start of my love for creating and selling my art. I even have a " claim to fame" from it! Best selling Young Adult Author Marissa Meyer purchased one of my designs ( a wood block print of Red Riding hood ) as postcards to use during the release of her second book; Scarlet, book #2 of The Lunar Chronicles. But when life took over and became too much.. I closed down shop. I had to devote my time to other things.
In October of 2014, I opened again. I began doing Hand Painted Halloween signs and my passion was back!
Joyful Art Expressions was born.
I work with Passion and Joy and draw inspiration from all over, though as a Bookworm at heart I hope to soon showcase more quotes from all varieties of literature.
While the " Art Expressions" Part of my shop name may be easy to guess the root of ( art and words of course ) Not everyone knows where "Joyful" came from. It's not that I am exactly a "Joyful" person. In fact until you get to know me well i'm really fairly quiet and shy! Joy is my middle name. My Older sister's middle name is Hope, and my Younger sister's is Faith. I have always loved my middle name.. So much so that I have it tattooed on me, and I collect things with " Joy" on it as well. This means I have a lot of Christmas decorations as that is the best time of year to find my middle name!
I am not the only one in my family to "take advantage" of my middle name. My family owns a farm that my Mom decided to name after my sisters and I. "Hope, Joy & Faith Farm" resides in Southern Oregon, and is a huge supporter of Joyful Art Expressions ;) My Mom even Tattooed the logo that I made for the farm on her arm. Now THAT is support!!
I hope that Joyful Art Expressions continues to grow. That my designs and style continue to evolve, and that the world continues to Keep Choosing Joy.