Joy Hanser

Bio

Joy in Art

I am an artist because I love so much of what I see, and am attracted to the diversity of “beauty” on this plane of existence. My goal is to bring the levels of that beauty into form in ways that will move, challenge and uplift the viewer, to bring a vision into reality, whether for my clients or myself.

My art is like unguided travel, where the sudden discovery inspires the response. I generally let the subject itself dictate the medium and style of expression, because I find that happens naturally. I don’t have to force it; each subject asks for its own unique approach. This of course results in a rather eclectic body of work; though as I explore deeper into what moves me, I find themes developing and requiring elaboration through a number of evolutions, resulting in a series. I like to use a variety of media in my artwork: acrylics, textures, collage, and pastels primarily on canvas, board or paper, each medium suiting the particular mood or theme of the piece at hand.

I have studied and practiced art in various forms all of my life. I feel I am still developing, and that each phase is a unique adventure I am privileged to experience and share. My basic education is in Graphic Design, which expanded to include sign painting, murals and faux finishing as well as movie industry work.

Many artists, life experiences, and especially nature, are my teachers. I have learned a lot in a few months by pursuing the Certificate in Fine Art Techniques at Emily Carr College of Art and Design, and look forward to a period of integrating this knowledge into my artwork. My work, both paintings and murals, is in collections in California, France, the Netherlands and Canada.

Currently I am working on a theme of reveal/conceal, and the transient nature of perception. This work grew out of my migrations on public transit, especially in the rain, and the inevitable waits associated with that. As well, I am delving into the glimpsed lives and scenarios that this mode of travel allows me to partially observe, through fogged windows.

Education

• Currently studying for a Certificate in Fine Arts Techniques at Emily Carr University of Art and Design
• Vancouver Community College, Digital Graphic Design, diploma 2004-05
• Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, classes in drawing, composition and mixed media
• Federation of Canadian Artists, mixed media intensive with Donna Baspaly, SFCA
• Kootenay School of Art, Honours Graphic Design 1979-80
• Vancouver School of Art, Saturday morning classes 1963-65

Membership

• International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees, IATSE, member since 2000, Paint Department
• “Last Wednesday” art critique group

Awards

• Cambridge House International SHOWCASE FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, for “All That Remains”
30 x 30 x 2” acrylic painting, November 2006
• Alan Wylie Award, “View in Orange-Blue” 24 x 30”, acrylic, March 2005
• Signs of the Times Magazine, First Place for Arcade supergraphic, March 1982 • February 2009 – first prize for “Rosanna and Mieka” portrait, 24 x 18”, at the Mothers and Babies symposium at the Marriott Hotel • July 2008 – first and second prize for “fruit” paintings at the Coombs Fair (since 1913)

Recent Exhibitions

• April – May, 2007 Tulipa Vanitas – Creative Framing Company, 3332 Main Street, Vancouver

• February 1 – March 31, 2007 – Vancouver Views – Malone’s Bar & Grill, 603 West Pender Street, Vancouver

• November 4 – 25 , 2006 – container – The Creative Framing Company, and harvest, at Libby’s Kitchen, 3429 Porter Street, Vancouver

• April 2005 – Ripple in Still Water – New West Library mezzanine, fund-raiser for tsunami relief, group show

• August 2004 – Pond Afternoon – The Creative Framing Company, with Chris Baudat, photography

• April 2004 – Fruitful Meditations – The Creative Framing Company, 3524 Kingsway, Vancouver

• Summer 1999 – portrait artist – Vancouver Art Gallery, artist-in-residence in the rotunda, in conjunction with the exhibition Face to Face, Four Centuries of Portraits

• art: www.yessy.com/joydesigns murals: www.normemma.com/joydesigns e:joyh@wcteltech.net new: www.joyhanser.com, a website presently under construction to replace the others.