JOY LAUREN BIO

Joy Lauren was born in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1960’s. Surrounded by the grittiness of inner city living, art was always a way for this very shy child to express her inner emotions. Her work often features the beauty of people of color. Bryan Collier is one of her favorite artists.

Vibrant colors, patterns, inner strength, and pride are common threads in her body of work.  In 2023, Joy’s artwork is being showcased to the public for the very first time.  

She is a self-taught artist that has worked in watercolor, pastels, charcoal, pencil and ink but acrylic painting is her most frequently used medium.

Joy is a retired healthcare professional who now lives and works in Atlanta Georgia.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have spent decades practicing the art of healing as a healthcare provider.  However, it is using art as a tool to heal, encourage, teach, inspire and motivate that blossomed into a secret passion.  My artwork has been created in syncopated bursts over decades. Often in response to moments of intense emotion, whether it be happiness, pride, sorrow, or simple periods of reflection.  

The recent events in our world caused me to stop and just be still. The rollercoaster ride in healthcare became overwhelming and exhausting.  I recently retired from my lifelong career of providing service to others. I took a moment to open my mind and ponder all the possibilities. It still surprises me when I sift through my portfolio that spans decades and marks the twisting journey of an artist not realized and hidden away.  I shared a glimpse of my artistic side by fashioning my paintings into cards. These cards were given to my patients and colleagues as a means to uplift and inspire them.  However, it was my young nephew’s overjoyed face upon seeing himself portrayed on canvas as a superhero that lit a spark inside of me. His eyes sparkled as if to say, I am somebody!  At that moment, I realized that I too am somebody. I am an artist. 

As a true adventurer, I will experiment with almost any medium but acrylic paint is my all-time favorite.  The rich vibrant colors dry quickly and allow the building of layers, addition of depth and experimentation with various textures.  When I work with paint it reminds me of life’s fluid moments that ooze and blend together creating snapshots in time.  Each of us travel through life connecting, overlapping and blending our experiences.  However, just like a painting, one moment in time can evoke a kaleidoscope of raw emotion that is as diverse as the viewers. 

I hope as an artist to continue to capture some of that raw emotion and mold it into artwork that captivates.