Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Beckler.
Joy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Natural Stone Bridge and Caves was my backyard paradise. As a child, I entertained imaginary friends and fores creatures as my companions. I loved wandering and exploring, and in he summer he gardens my grandmother ended were glorious. She was the first to give me lessons in painting with watercolors. My Dad, also an artist, can use and imagine images in ordinary innate objects, and also in nature, such as rocks, trees etc. and I am like him in that way. My Mother taught me kindness, consideration and strength. Seeing the love and creativity in my daughters give me hope that they have found some inspiration through me.
In high school, I represented the Art Club and was always knows as the “artsy one”. Next, I attended The Art Institute of Houston for a year before heading to California and The Gemological Institute of America. There I completed courses in Jewelry Manufacturing, Jewelry Design, Faceting and Hand Engraving. Those new skills were put on bold when an unexpected opportunity during the next 15 years led into the financial industry. I became a licensed stockbroker, and eventually a Branch Manager. Even while starting a family and juggling that with a career, my desire to create never left me.
Upon leaving he financial industry, I entered the Houston art scene and began showing at various galleries such as Hardy and Nance, JoMar, Betz Gallery, Watson Gallery, and WarHouse (Star Wars, May the 4th be with you). I also became the resident artist at “Height’s Live” where musicians played while I drew live. “Skessions” is a beloved art group that I’ve been part of for the last eight years. It is held weekly at The Next Door Bar, and we often do Full Wall skessions that involves many artists drawing and collaborating on the same , . In January, 2019 had a show at The Nex Door Bar in Houston. Most recently, I participated with other artists on a podcast called, “The Wine, No Whine Show”.
I’ve contributed to many charity events over the years, such as Healthcare for the Homeless and The Heart Association. “The Revolution of Joy” was auctioned at The Natural Science Museum in Houston to benefit Katy Hayes, who lost her limbs from home childbirth infection. That piece outbid most live auction items such as Maroon 5 guitar and ZZ Top signed guitar. It took me over 100 hours and was my personal declaration as an artist.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an artist. I’ve done my 10000 hours. This declaration I’m sure resonates with others embarking on owning this path. It’s been a journey, a war if you will, breaking the wall of certainty, entering a place between spaces to bring back unplanned patterns, characters, and stories. Hard to explain, but I can use whatever is in my hands and whatever materials available. I trust in the knowing of lines that make themselves visible without thought or control and reveal what eventually takes shape. My showing this love, always makes people curious, remembering the joy in creating as a child or young adult. Anyone willing to collaborate, child or adult, I eagerly entertain. I want them to remember what it felt like to be in a place without rules. Adults especially are so afraid they can’t draw and will embarrass themselves.
That’s not what art does or brings to the soul. It’s a place to be and remember and evolve. My pieces have stories I don’t even know or comprehend but are for all to find themselves. Look closely and layers will be seen. Look at them the average distance and there will be the obvious and then stand back and see big images pop. Not in all my pieces but in many this seems to be a pattern. I’ve just learned to trust the process. My website is very close to being done and I will share video of this fast and furious process I tap into as well as tell my stories and share my words to connect with you. After all, that’s the ultimate goal. I am working full time but I am working hard to become more active in the art scene and truer to myself.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Comprehending the way of the artist is evolving. Artist think solo and defining themselves different to separate from others. By collaborating and connecting I have learned the most, been pleased when influencing others and have received the most love and acceptance from other artists. Total truth and non-judgement, encouragement and support are words that come to mind in regards to the Houston Art Scene. Unfortunately, the business, corporate, patronage, local people bypassing designers and connecting, career plans that don’t involve another full-time job with benefits, all these things……I and all artist see as apparent challenges that we all in different ways have been working to counter. When doing art, time and practical practices seem to fall by the wayside too easily. I fell victim to that and why I’m not entering back into the art scene without more preparation and respect in representing my work.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can support me by staying tuned. The website is coming. I’m on Facebook and Instagram and a holding point until launching. I have shown coming up and I am working on so much new art. I’ve been incognito for some time and so look to be somewhat dormant. I am not. Support me by believing in what is to come. Find me and connect through social media. Send me your emails, thoughts, feedback, what you would like to know and see from me. Why would you buy my art, you tell me?
Contact Info:
- Address: 4 Dell Forest Ct The Woodlands TX 77381
- Phone: 832-794-1211
- Email: 4Lifeexpressions@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joybeckler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.beckler
- Other: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-Beckler-Wren-7876231
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
