We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joyce Coco. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joyce below.

Joyce, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Since the late 80’s, I have been a member of Spark Gallery, Denver’s oldest cooperative gallery. The gallery gives members an opportunity to mount a yearly exhibition. This has inspired me to create a thematic group of paintings during the year, and to have a vital venue to host an exhibition. The gallery space is split into two parts and I will have the show with another member of Spark. The pairing of artist’s work is always an unexpected surprise; often the work seems as if it was meant to be shown together. Outside of the exhibition opportunity, being a member of Spark has given me a rewarding and supportive group of friends and fellow creatives.

Joyce, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My paintings are personal and about my life story. I’ve lived a long and rich life, thus my paintings are deeply imbued with color and symbolism. Color is perhaps the foundation and the joy of painting. If viewers were to examine my body of work I think what would come to mind, be they the abstract work, the works based in squares and the work of symbolism and iconography, it is the deep colors the viewer first sees. The work can be very comforting, especially seen in my last group of paintings dealing with the subject of home. My ultimate goal is to express joy and an appreciation for a life well lived.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to paint is a gift. It is multi-faceted, but at this point in my life being able to go to the studio provides a meditative state that is all encompassing. When I’m painting I’m not thinking about the world outside of my creative mind. I have sense of calm and confidence when I’m absorbed in the act of painting. And frankly, this is where I love to be. But as in all our lives, the requirements of life take time too. The time that I am able to carve out and commit to painting is time I never take for granted.

In the exhibition aspect of being an artist, I enjoy the viewers interaction with the painting. I learn new things about my paintings through their interpretations. Art appreciators and fellow artists have given me a wonderful group of friends and clients that make up my community.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

My mentor was Edith Niblo, an art teacher who taught for Denver Public School’s “Opportunity School.” Edith did not teach her students how to paint, rather how to want to paint. After taking classes with her my vision of life was completely changed. She taught color, design, and a different way of looking at the world. She emphasized not what color was used in a painting but the importance of the color that was put next to it. And for me color is the foundation and path to my creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joycecoco.com
• Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=rrAuobuJcLs&=4ls
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Photos by Marcia Ward/the Image Maker Denver