Artist Joyce Ozier employs bold, expressive brushstrokes and vivid color in her large-format, captivating abstracts. Visit her website to see more of her portfolio.
“Last Summer” acrylic and oil pastel, 72″ x 72″
My path to becoming a painter was not a straight one.
“Clouds Interrupted” acrylic and oil pastel, 72″ x 72″ plus spaces
Although I began studying art in a studio arts program of a major American university, I soon discovered the lure of the theatre and went on to get a master’s in theatrical design. However, I really didn’t spend much time in real theatres.
“Banff Gallery” acrylic and oil pastel, 54″ x 72″ plus spaces
Always excited by innovation, I spent those early years doing experimental theatre in a wild assortment of sites—beaches, art galleries and international festivals—creating and touring with an experimental theatre company. It was the world of early “happenings” and was always an adventure.
“Season’s Signature” acrylic and oil pastel, 72″ x 72″
That stage taught me about dramatic lighting and working BIG.
“Chefchaouen” acrylic and oil pastel, 72″ x 72″
My next stage involved art management where I got very involved with dancers and managing several small dance companies. I loved being surrounded by the passionate and beautiful energy circling around me as I worked.
“Fuchsia Rain” acrylic and oil pastel, 54″ x 72″ plus spaces
Although I really never was a dancer, those years of dance and movement have had a huge impact on my painting aesthetic through the flow of the canvas space and the interaction of living colour.
“I’ve Seen the Sun & I’ve Seen the Rain” acrylic and oil pastel, 72″ x 72″
I still begin my big pieces with a five-inch house painter’s brush in my hand, listening to music and expressively moving my body in large gestures to mark the canvas.
“Danger in the Air” acrylic and oil pastel, 54″ x 72″ plus spaces
The next step in my circuitous journey to becoming a visual artist was stepping into the role of entrepreneur, creating and leading a retail display company. We specialized in spectacular retail windows that were designed to catch people’s attention through colour and shapes in three seconds flat!
What was my lesson from doing all those wonderful windows? Immediate impact.
“Cloud Thoughts” acrylic and oil pastel, 54″ x 72″
Which brings us to my present incarnation as a painter/visual artist, which I’ve been doing for the last twelve years. I really love this stage. It not only pulls together all the disparate directions of my messy and varied career, but a day in the studio inevitably leaves me feeling satisfied and stimulated, full of ideas, and ready to jump into tomorrow.
“Multiple Conversations” acrylic and oil pastel, 72″ x 72″ plus spaces
Very recently, as well as painting, I founded a new online fine art print gallery. It showcases only professional artists sixty-five years old and above who are doing bold and vital work worthy of their talent, not their age. It’s called the B/older Gallery and is aligned with the international anti-ageism movement led by the World Health Organization at the United Nations.
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