We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christie Joy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Christie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have any key partners or vendors – if so, how’d you find them and start working with them?

Serendipity is a beautiful thing! Sometimes you are just at the right place at the right time and goodness ensues. Our annual Texas Rose Festival hosts the Palette of Roses Art Show. As a Board member I was walking around the event and started talking with a patron. I found out she was with a local non-profit agency and wanted to encourage a couple of artist to partner with the charity. I offered to help and we are in our second year together. Bringing talented known artists in our area to raise money for a non-profit is a win-win. The non-profit was kind enough to also showcase some of our work too.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I love color! Thick textural paint, heavy brush stroke and positive subject matter make me feel better. During the pandemic gray and yellow where the top colors and everything seemed of despair. This time period was one that I researched my medium and created the style that I am now recognized with. I came out of CoVid demanding positivity, happiness and all the trite colloquialisms that follow. I started painting happiness. My Neghbor’s, friends and family soon responded. They would comment that my work created the feeling of peace, calmness or joy! When someone purchases a piece of art from you and they tell you that every time they look at that piece they feel good- it is just the best feeling. Collectors pass down their artwork to their loved ones. Knowing that something dreamed up and brushed onto canvas made generations feel good is enough!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Perception is key in the art market. Some artists paint as well as someone famous but they never receive their status. Consistency and Reliability are so important. Collectors know my style but more importantly they know my passion. When they receive artwork from me they know the love, time and care that went into it. I truly love what I do. It is hard for me to sleep because I cannot wait to get into the studio the next day. The collector knows that they can count on me to deliver what I promised. We work together to create their vision. Many people have found me through charitable donation pieces. I donate to several charities a year. Giving back to the community that supports you is what you are called to do. It also makes me feel great that the foundations respect my talent enough to include it with their foundation.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Starting out I knew the type of paint I liked. When I went to art shows as a child I was drawn to the pieces that had raised paint like dots on it. I wanted to pick at it. I know! I was a horrible child. It drew me in. Color that I could touch. It was shiny almost plastic. It looked like cake icing and some of it looked wet. I loved how dried paint could look and feel like so many things. When I tried to find this type of paint I had no idea where to look or what to ask for. No one would tell me. I experimented with caulk, tile adhesives, modeling pastes, etc…. I was on a quest. I felt like a chemist at times. Now YouTube has answers at your finger tips. My favorite resource has been asking someone who is older than you that has done it! I thought people would not share. I was so wrong. Artist mentors have so much to give. I have found some of the best information from the sweetest people. They will give your their secrets. Just ask. They have lived and learned. Most are so honored to be asked. Just find them and ask. Join an art group or league. Put yourself out there!

Contact Info:

• Website: Htpp://ChristieGunterJoyArt
• Instagram: Christie_Joy_Art
• Facebook: Christie Joy Art