Celebrating the joy of life as expressed by light and motion is the major focus of Joy's work. Capturing and embodying the feelings and energy of our inner life are more important than simply a statement of how something appears. Her intention is to touch what is universal to us all. Strong, imaginative color serves the expression of emotions and the loose painterly application of various mediums also contribute to this end.

The process begins with getting outside and observing life. Joy photographs people and animals candidly enjoying themselves in their natural environment. The photos are edited for what is most important. Photos may be combined or cropped and a small value study is used to compose the piece. For Joy this initial design of a few simple shapes can have as much impact and beauty as the finished piece. Different approaches may be taken to start the actual painting. Play and experimentation are an enjoyable part of Joy's creative process.

Charcoal is used to lightly sketch the composition on high quality white sanded pastel paper. Charcoal, watercolor or acrylic paint may be used loosely to establish the value pattern. The freeflowing and spontaneous surprises of the watercolor is an exciting part of creating the painting. Allowing the painting to happen within a certain structure and working intuitively in developing and combining color the painting evolves--taking on a life of its own.

Pastel is loosely and lightly applied over the dry underpainting--allowing the underpainting to show through and contribute to a visual vibration and richness. Sometimes a kind of soft rubber or kneaded eraser is used to move the pastel around.

Biography

Joy Schultz was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1956. Colorado has been her home for the last 20 years. While homeschooling her two children she was able to rekindle and nurture her expression as an artist. A year of uninstructed life drawing sessions gave Joy the opportunity to develop her drawing skills, and several months of plein air painting provided a foundation of basic art principles. She has taken workshops from several of her favorite artists, but is primarily self-taught.

Joy's work has evolved from using primarily soft pastels, to using a combination of charcoal, watercolor, and pastel, allowing the unique character of each media to express in a richer fuller way than using only one media. It also encourages and inspires an attitude of playfulness and experimentation and adds excitement to the creative process.

In 2002, Joy entered her first show and sold her first painting and felt encouraged to spend the next six months building a body of work. She has since exhibited in local, state, and national shows, won numerous awards, and created many commissions, particularly of people's children and horses. In December of 2005 she had her first painting published in International Artist Magazine.

In 2005 Joy started teaching and discovered how much her artistic spirit thrived by encouraging and inspiring other artists. This past year has been a time of exploration in the versatile possibilites of acrylics and various new approaches to painting.

Solo Exhibitions

Temple Buell Theater, May 2006, and Breckenridge Theatre Gallery Nov/Dec 2005

South Union Gallery, Lakewood, CO July 2004

Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, March-April 2004

Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden, Colorado, January 2004

Finster Brothers Bagel Bakery Cafe and Deli, Denver, December-January 2004

Highlands Ranch Library, November 2003

The Art of Play, Koelbel Library, Littleton, Colorado,October 2003

The Spirit of Play, Universalist Unitarian Church, Denver, August-Sept. 2003

Selected Juried Group Exhibitions

23rd Annual All Colorado show, Curtis Arts and Humanities Center, Greenwood Village, CO, Summer 2006

Mile Hi National Pastel Exhibit, Republic Plaza, Denver, Summer 2006

Gilpin County Arts Association 58th and 59th Annual Exhibit, Central City, 2005, 2006

Colorado Arts Festival Curated Showcase 2004, Republic Plaza Bldg., Denver

6th Annual Colorado Arts Festival, Denver, May 2004

Westminster Community Artist Series, April-May 2004

12th Annual Heritage Fine Arts Guild Juried Show, Denver, April 2004

Englewood Arts National Juried Show, Museum of Outdoor Arts, Feb/Mar 2004

Colorado Art Expo, Denver Convention Center, December 2003

Pastel Society of Colorado Member Show, Denver Main Library, Nov/Dec 2003

2nd Annual Lone Tree Art Exhibition, Lone Tree Golf Club, Oct 2003

18th Annual National Louisville Arts Festival, Aug/Sept. 2003

8th Annual Artists of Colorado Show, Denver Botanic Gardens, Aug/Sept. 2003

Summer Art Market, Art Students League of Denver, June 2003

Colorado Artists Guild, 75th Celebration, Colo. History Museum, June 2003

11th This is Colorado, Heritage Fine Arts Guild, Temple Buell Theatre, May 2003

2003 Colorado Visions, Westminster Community Artist Series, April-May 2003

Boulder Art Association 12th National Juried Exhibit and Sale, April 2003

Art of Playing or Playful Art, Art Students League of Denver, February 2003

Secrets and Lies, Art Students League of Denver, January 2003

Expo 2002, Art Students League of Denver, November-December 2002

Pastel Society of Colorado Member Show, Grand Junction, CO, October 2002

Awards

Best of Show - Colorado Artists Guild 12th Annual Artists of Colorado State Exhibition at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Sept 2007
Third Place in Works on Canvas - Lone Tree Art Exhibition, November 2006
First Place in Pastel - Artists of Colorado Show, September 2006
First Place in Acrylic - 15th This is Colorado, April 2006
First Place in Pastel - 15th This is Colorado, April 2006
Merit Award - 2006 Colorado Visions Art Exhibit, April 2006
Third Place in Pastel - Lone Tree Art Exhibition, November 2005
Second Place in Pastel - Glenwood Springs Fall Art Festival, September 2005
Robert Koropp Award - 58th Gilpin County Arts Exhibition, June 2005
Third Place in Pastel - Lone Tree Art Exhibition, November 2004
Second Place in Pastel - Lone Tree Art Exhibition, October 2003
Second Place in Pastel - Artists of Colorado Show, September 2003
Award of Excellence - Pastel Society of Colorado Show, December 2002
Second Place in Pastel - Lone Tree Art Exhibition, October 2003
Second Place in Pastel - Artists of Colorado Show, September 2003
Award of Excellence - Pastel Society of Colorado Show, December 2002

Affiliations

Pastel Society of America, Associate Juried Member, 2006
Pastel Society of Colorado, Signature Member, Vice-President 2004
Colorado Artists Guild, Exhibit Chairperson 2003-2004
Arts Alliance of Littleton, member 2003-2006
Art Students League of Denver
Greater Castle Rock Art Guild, Charter Member