It All Started with a Dream

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Written By Joyful Ward
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Recently several creatives collaborated with my to create a video biography sharing a deeper look into my artwork and personal story. You can view it under the “My Story” section of my website. Thanks for tuning in and letting me share a bit of my journey with you. The past few years have been a bit crazy dealing with a Cat 5 hurricane, some new chronic health issues, studio changes, and well, you know, a global Pandemic. With all that life has thrown me and my family the last two years, I took a step back from social media and communication, while I took time for my spirit and soul to rest, reflect, readjust. Life wasn't going to be the same, and it was important to prayerfully navigate how my body, my life, and my work was changing. Although there has been some difficulty over the past couple years, I've been so grateful for this time to slow down, recoup, and renew my sense of purpose as an artist. I've never forgotten the childhood dreams of swimming with whales and exploring the mystery and beauty of the underwater world. It's kept me inspired and motivated to keep creating behind the scenes. The past couple years, I've been working on some special art projects, as well as developing content, and pursuing collaborations that I'm ready to share with all of you.

This year I recently launched a brand new website with interactive features, a video biopic sharing some intimate aspects of my story, a shop in development that offers some products and limited edition prints, an official monthly blog that will feature behind the scenes material from my studio, as well as some embarking on some new exciting collaborations I can't wait to share with you. After the past couple years or repairing out home, navigating a pandemic, and getting my health issues under control, I can't wait to be able to get back to art shows, scuba diving, and connecting with you more consistently. Thank you for your continued support and coming along with me on this artistic journey!

Stay tuned for show announcements and new artwork releases!

Joyful Ward

Joyful Ward (b. 1987) is a Pacific Northwest-based marine wildlife artist whose deep love for the ocean

ignited in childhood and reawakened after a near-death experience at age 22, during which she dreamed

of swimming with whales. This vision called her back to life and to creating art. Holding both a

Bachelor’s and Master’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art, she has also studied under Master Artists Derek

Penix and Greg Beecham. Her richly expressive oil paintings blend palette knife and brushwork to

capture the movement, light, and atmosphere of the underwater world. A certified scuba diver, Joyful

draws from firsthand experience, takes her own underwater photographs, and collaborates with marine

biologists and conservationists to authentically portray her subjects. Her paintings are intended as

portals of peace. These visual sanctuaries invite viewers into the beauty of the underwater world,

offering relief from anxiety and a place of stillness and wonder. Her work has earned international

recognition, including the 2024 Marine Artist of the Year award at the 42nd Schaeffer International

Marine Art Exhibition at the Newport Sailing Museum, a Stobart Foundation grant funding an

expedition to swim with and paint Humpback Whales in Tonga, and a multi-year Artist-in-Residency

grant from the Mystic Seaport Museum. She is a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine

Artists, The Society of Animal Artists, and The Oil Painters of America.

https://www.joyfulfineart.com
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Telling our Stories, Asking Questions, and Facing Fears.