The Power of Joy translated into art

Emotions can often feel like a moving ocean, flowing with the tides of our experiences. Amongst the infinite feelings that one can have, joy stands out as a luminous beacon of positivity that can completely transform our outlook on life.

Joy is defined in the dictionary as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. -the exact way that I feel when painting a blank canvas with outbursts of color. Because of that statement, I named this artwork “Joy” to represent an emotional force of awakening -a surrendering sensation where the body dissolves into energy.

The story of "Joy" goes like this; One day as I was passing the pages of a wellness magazine I found an image of this young woman sitting in the Padmasana yoga pose (lotus pose) but instead of being with her eyes closed for meditation she was laughing her heart out, this image triggered my inspiration, I went to grab my sketch book and collect cuttings of paper from my collage box and made a collage of the image in my sketch book with the right color palette for the art.

Concept image for displaying “Joy” (2019) mixed media on canvas 30"X30" as a mural on a building.

This image became the foundation for a series of paintings and mixed media works that included yoga poses with yellow as the predominant color. This series of works are called "Beings of light." Most of them sold right away.

Technical aspects: A mixed media painting; where Yellow dominates the composition, functioning symbolically as light. The central burst at the chest suggests joy as a energy emanating from within. This radiating energy is represented by the polyester golden threads that form organic lines, giving the eye constant points to look at. In pointing every inch of the composition and the glowing orbs create a sense of movement beyond the canvas.

The concept of "Joy": A connection between our spiritual well-being and overall health manifests not just as an emotion; but a full body experience. Acting as our heart’s language, uplifting our spirit to celebrate life sharing our happiness with others.

Curator interpretation: The eclecticism of this artwork subtly represents a mix of Expressionism (emotional truth over realism), Symbolism (inner states visualized), and Contemporary figurative painting. This type of unfiltered emotional release avoids clichés through sincerity, encapsulating the very essence of joy— an almost spiritual experience that connects us to the world around us.

Embracing joy in our lives is a powerful tool for adaptability that allows ourselves to feel deeply, accepting of our vulnerabilities and strengths. Allowing us to face life's challenges head on, reminding us that even in tough times, we can keep our energy and bliss within reach. So let’s invite joy into our lives and elevate our spirit, it will brighten our lives journey.

“Joy” (2019) mixed media on canvas 30"X30"