Joyce Simmons

About the Artist

Even as a child, Joyce was drawn to creating her own artwork. Coloring books were frustrating, because they only offered two pages that appealed to her, the blank insides of the front, and back covers. That love of creating continued through the GP Art program in High School, and the thrilling opportunity to attend Ringling College of Art and Design. Her latest endeavor, pet portraiture, seeks to combine two lifelong interests, art, and animals. Joyce's approach to each new portrait commission is to ask the pet owner for stories of their pet's preferences, and personality. What's their favorite adventure, who's their favorite person, what's their favorite toy? She feels that these small details help her to capture the individual pet's likeness (plus, it's always fun to hear cute animal stories.) While watercolor is definitely her preferred medium, Joyce is always interested in learning to use new media. She is currently striving to become more comfortable with painting in oils, and seeking a more painterly style.