Entering Artist Joye DeGoede’s gallery space, the expression is WOW; unbelievable color, proportion, action, detail, and delightful expression emit joy throughout the area. Each canvas winks at you for attention. It's hard to stay focused in this sea of fun fantasy,
where the animal subjects are the ones with the last laugh. Joye's philosophy is, "One does not choose to become an artist; the art chooses you.” In this case, 'art' made an excellent choice. For as long as she can remember, Joye has felt the need to translate her thoughts and feelings into visual form; her art and emotions are synonymous; it’s part of who she is and how her creativity expresses through her work.
Joye began her grew up in Provo, Utah, where her parents were happy to provide her with private art lessons. She remembers, "When I was a child, I loved studying a wall at my grandparent's home, which was a wallpaper collage of Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers. Joye studied at Utah College, Provo, Utah, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Graphic and Commercial Art. In 1982 Joye graduated from Westminster College, Salt Lake City, Utah, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Medical Illustration. Following graduation, Joye devoted two decades to teaching art in private and public schools in the Phoenix area while continuing to pursue her art with outstanding success.
By 2012 Joye was ready to step out of the teaching profession and into her art full time. The decision wasn't easy; she called her favorite bunny and scotch-loving aunt to share the news about her significant career shift. During the phone conversation, an image of a little rabbit with a glass of scotch popped into her head. At that moment, Hop Scotch of the JoyEful Party Animals was born. Since that time, Joye says, "My art has taken an unanticipated fun turn. I was very serious with my subject matter and message; 'Life is too short not to laugh, smile, and enjoy life' I haven't strayed from my original artist statement, just a JoyEful rabbit trail."
In 2019, Joye was invited by the U.S. State Department - Arts in the Embassies (AIE) to apply for a spot in a three-year exhibition at the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro. She applied and is honored to be juried into this well-established and esteemed group. Joye is officially listed with her work on the Art in the Embassies website. The AIE program's mission is "To engage, educate, and inspire global audiences, showing how art can transcend national borders and build connections among peoples."
"My art has taken an unanticipated fun turn. I was very serious with my subject matter and message; 'Life is too short not to laugh, smile, and enjoy life' I haven't strayed from my original artist statement, just a JoyEful rabbit trail."
In December 2020, Artist Joye DeGoede took another leap forward and became gallery owner of JoyEful Gallery - Joye DeGoede Fine Art, in Scottsdale, Arizona. She continues to participate in juried shows such as the Phoenix Zoo's Art on the Wild Side exhibit.
Joye is also a juried member of the Sonoran Arts League as well as the International Guild of Realism, Arts in the Embassies Artist, National Oil and Acrylic Painters, Oil Painters of America, Women Artists of the West, American Women Artist, American Artists Professional League-Elected member, and the Allied Artists of America. Joye has a large following of private and corporate collectors throughout the United States and abroad. Her official oil portrait of Arizona’s Governor Jan Brewer now hangs at the Arizona State Capital Building, presented to the Governor in 2011. Joye works from her studio at JoyEful Gallery - Joye DeGoede Fine Art. She explains her works as a juxtaposing reality with fantasy, inspiring the viewer to see the fun in the mundane and the vast opportunities for joy in our everyday world. Joye says, "I love painting the surrealistic mixture of animals imitating human habits and in their natural habitat to bring empathy to wildlife conservation. She invites you to visit her website for more information and to drop into JoyEful Gallery in El Pedregal, Scottsdale. By the way, bring your sense of humor.
Email: joyesart@gmail.com
Website: www.joyesart.com
