We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nancy Joyce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nancy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
In late 2014, I was on Pinterest and ran across a photo of a little girl from Cambodia holding a drawing she’d done of a bicycle. Below the photo was information about how she had received a bicycle from a non-profit organization called Lotus Pedals. As I dug a bit deeper, I discovered that this program was set up to provide all-terrain bicycles to school-aged girls in Cambodia so that they could safely get to their schoolhouse. Most girls have to walk several miles to get to their schools and it can be a dangerous walk for them. The bicycle helps to protect them from potential human-trafficking and other atrocities. I decided right then that I would dedicate the year to painting girls on bikes and that the sale of my paintings would go to girls in need. In October of 2015, I had an art opening at the Asheville Art Museum and sold enough paintings to provide over 250 all terrain bicycles. In November of 2015, I traveled to Cambodia to deliver these bicycles and to attend a ceremony at one of the schools. This moment in time forever transformed my thoughts about how art could change the world for the better.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am currently working through a collection of paintings that pay homage to my southern upbringing paralleled with a strong emphasis on native southeastern flowers and weeds. Each painting focuses on the region’s natural beauty and the importance of conservation. My family has always had a deep connection to nature, with both my mother and sister being master gardeners and my father having founded the Foothills Trail. I grew up surrounded by gardens finding the woods and nature as both my refuge and inspiration.
While my work primarily focuses on native plants, I have also incorporated a subtle tribute to the honey bee, which plays a critical role in our survival. The decline of the honey bee population due to environmental degradation is a cause for concern, and I hope to raise awareness about this issue through my paintings. Each piece features at least one pollinator and always a single honey bee, encouraging viewers to take a closer look and appreciate the intricate details of the artwork.
By celebrating the native gardens and biodiversity of the southeast, I hope to emphasize the importance of preserving our natural resources. Bees are essential to our food supply, with over one-third of the American diet relying on crops pollinated by honey bees. Sadly, these insects are facing massive die-offs each year in North America, making it more crucial than ever to protect their habitats and promote conservation efforts.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three qualities that were most impactful throughout my journey were perseverance, willingness to make mistakes, and learning to enjoy the process of making art. Creating a career as an artist is filled with both moments of excellence and months of overwhelm. Oftentimes, it is overwhelm from deadlines but much of the time you can become overwhelmed with the lack of interest in your work. There is no consistency. Inconsistency is the only thing you can depend on so you have to love the process without holding yourself up too high or falling too deep into feelings of despair. Becoming a professional artist is a long game with unpredictable challenges so you have to be willing to disassociate yourself from the value the public deems of your work.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is either a real estate developer or a new home owner. I love people who have empty walls with big ideas!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NancyJoyceArt.com
- Instagram: @NancyJoyceArt
- Facebook: @NancyJoyceArt
- Linkedin: @NancyJoyceArt
- Twitter: @NancyJoyceArt
- Youtube: @NancyJoyceArt
Image Credits
Images by Murphy Photography
