M Joyce Athey

MJoyceAthey.com

Since 1995 Joyce has turned to abstract impressionistic watercolor as her main visual expression. Her creative spirit has led her into a unique abstract style in the use of transparent watercolor. “I enjoy the wonderful surprises which challenge my creativity as I freely move line, water and color on paper. My inner thoughts and feelings emerge in exciting ways in the process or formation of my art.” She often combines painting and poetry to give further form and expression to her thought and emotion.

Joyce is a published poet.
Joyce’s first solo watercolor show, September, 1996 at Cocoa Beach Library has been followed by many others. Her paintings have been accepted into very competitive shows such as the Florida Watercolor Soc. & the Visual Arts Center of N W Florida. Several Florida galleries represent her work.
Mrs. Athey’s watercolor achievements have been nurtured through many societies and local activities, such as BWS, SAL, CBAA, TAL, and several national watercolor societies.
In 2003 Joyce’s presentation and exhibit of paintings and poetry, “Journey of the Soul: The Spirit in Art” was born. During 2003-04 through a local church and its facility, Joyce developed a Board of Fine Arts which offered a unique and vibrant fine arts ministry for and by the community. Her “Great Light” painting, is a stained glass window in Advent Lutheran Church, Suntree, FL in memory of her husband.
In 2005, moving beyond the local church experience and with strong commitment to the concept the Athey Traveling Art Exhibit was born. Joyce drove solo covering 8100 miles as she transported her exhibit of watercolor, fabric, & poetry to eleven select churches and convention centers in six different states from MD to CO, August to November, tremendous experience--a grand way to celebrate her 70th.
2007 soared w/ her month long one woman exhibit in Harris Corporation Lobby and Gallery of the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts, Melbourne, FL.
2008 she completed her painting and poetry manuscript soon to be published. In her “before Florida” days she was an Elementary Teacher, Director of Christian Education, missionary in Ethiopia, author of Christian Education materials, national cross-stitch designer, and liturgical artist. Joyce is a mother of four, grandmother of two, a Lutheran pastor’s widow, and now a breast cancer survivor.