The Many Faces of a Creative Passion
The spectacular paintings of Carolyn Joy Waters
by
Georgianna Lane, for Fine Art Registry®
An arresting gaze and luminous eyes insist that you look into their depths, explore the soul behind the vibrantly hued visage and find inspiration in their multi-colored beauty. It is impossible not to be fascinated by the faces of mystery and elegance and other-worldly wisdom created by this artist of sublime vision and staggering talent.
Splash, by artist Joy Waters. (FAR® ID #26969)
Carolyn Joy Waters, known as Joy, was born in Nevada but now calls
northern Idaho home. Although she studied human anatomy as well as nude drawing at an open art class, Joy is primarily self-taught. She has developed an entirely unique, dramatic and dynamic style, creating images which command attention and inspire awe.
Artist, Joy Waters. (FAR® Registered Artist)
"I've always drawn since I was a little girl, beginning with drawing Tarzan bodies off my mother's books. I’ve done all kinds of crafts and have won many events in painting."
Joy was sixteen and working for the telephone company when she sold her first piece. She has since sold over 120 pieces - at wineries, shops, galleries, shows and via word of mouth in California, New Mexico, Maryland, Idaho and Washington.
Antoinette, by artist Joy Waters. (FAR® ID #26974)
Her highest profile sale so far has been to actor Robert Redford. Says Joy, "What a wonderful man. He sat down with me and my children for dinner in California."
And Robert Redford says of her: "Joy is a very accomplished artist. There is a theme in all her work. I'm the owner of Splash. Just beautiful, colorful, outstanding. Joy will go far."
And the renowned sculptor from Taos, New Mexico, Joy Lafern, has said, "Joy is the Frieda Kahlo of this century."
Valor, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26997)
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Sonserray, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26993)
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In addition to selling so many of her pieces, Joy has donated several murals and art pieces to churches, schools and various fundraising events.
Joy names artists Paul Jones, Rory Wagner and David Clemons as among those whom she admires and who have influenced her. When asked about her preferred media, there is no hesitation. "Oh, boy! I've used oils, pencils, crayons, acrylics, soap stone, clay. But my true love is pastels. I look like I've come out of a war zone when I've finished a piece! They are very messy, and my children always ask me if I ate one. Some times I actually have."
Incredibly, Joy uses only her fingers when creating a drawing. She blends vivid pastel colors together, creating her unique style of artwork. Focusing on the human face, she feels it is an ever changing inspiration for subject material. Each face in her masterpieces has its own distinct personality and evokes a different mood and emotion in the viewer. Her exquisite use of color is astounding, provocative and uninhibited, while at the same time beautiful and satisfying to the viewer.
June, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26984)
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Violet, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26989)
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"I draw because it's my passion. I love the way I feel when creating anything. All art is emotional and I play off that with the faces I do. That's what we are all made of. Whether we hide from them or embrace them. My work makes people think and feel. I draw using only my fingers. I guess you could say I'm a touchy person. I love the way it feels when touching the paper I use, when composing a piece. I love the feeling of creating something with my fingers. But I have to take great care of my fingers and hands or they will scratch the paper I work on. That's a big NO NO. I like things to run soft and smooth.
"I was told once by another artist that the female face was the hardest to draw due to the fact of all the curves, whereas with men, it's more of a square that you work from. I draw both sexes and it's a challenge to do both, truly."
Iris, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26972)
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Thyme, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26971)
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Joy's passion consumes her throughout her creative process. "I get so focused at times, that my surroundings disappear. It's like time and space stop, except I'm rubbing these faces. Each one affects me deeply - some are very difficult to draw. I'll draw an outline and the piece will change from what I first planned.
"These pieces are physically and emotionally demanding. They wear me out - kind of like they sucked me dry for the day. I'm disabled and have to use a timer to draw, limiting myself to 45 minutes at a time. It's very hard when the timer goes off to walk away from a piece, but at times I do get a better perspective on it by doing so."
Sunday, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26977)
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Serenity, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26980)
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Securing her Work with Fine Art Registry®
Joy began tagging and registering her work when a local gallery in Idaho told her about Fine Art Registry®.
Ever since, she tags each piece when she sells an original or canvas print. To date, she has tagged over 60 of her 300 pieces and is in the processing of getting them all registered in her FAR® portfolio.
And Joy has developed a creative method of tagging each piece - tagging them in front of the collector who is purchasing it.
"Tagging the work in front of the collector seems to give them more of a bonding with the piece and is a source of security." Her pieces are very popular and "sell themselves" but "when you tag one, it is like a tattoo on the person who purchased it. It's binding and solid and comforting. They take more pride in owning it and people seem to glow when their piece is tagged. It really gives the piece more value and the collectors love it."
Pearl, by artist Joy Waters.
(FAR® ID #26976)
Looking Toward the Future
"I try to stay in the here and now. Who knows what will happen in the future? Yes, I will be doing shows, exhibiting at wineries and restaurants. I'm content to just see what happens!"
Ultimately, says Joy, "I draw because I'm compelled, it fills my heart. I get a sense of euphoria. It lasts a day or couple days. It's an adventure. I never know what will come out next. I can't stop. It's my life. I love everything about it. Especially the use of my hands. I bring life to each one."
Visit Joy's Fine Art Registry gallery and her website and spend time getting to know the faces of these remarkable paintings.
As well as her original paintings, for sale on her website and in her FAR® gallery, Joy's expressive and vibrant images are also available as beautiful fine art prints and posters, cups, ceramic art tiles and t-shirts. See her website for more information.
— by Georgianna Lane
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February 1, 2010
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