The Early Years
Joyce graduated from the Newark School of Fine & Industrial Art, at the top of her class, with a portfolio filled with portraits and watercolors. That portfolio was bursting with talent, but nothing that would be the foundation in commercial art and therefore, a job.
That all changed when she answered an ad for a designer of children's novelty prints on wearing apparel. The owner viewed her portfolio and hired her on the spot. The rest, as they say, is history. She worked for several silk screen printers over the next 10 years.
Opening Her Studio
She opened her own design studio in the late 70's and through the 80's when art on children's wearing apparel changed dramatically. Licensed characters like Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny and newly created ones like the Smurfs and Strawberry Shortcake became the rage. Manufacturers entered into "licensing agreements" with the owners of these characters, for permission to put those images on the their products.
Joyce spent the next 15 years specializing in designing licensed character art for clothing, home furnishings, lunch boxes, books and games. Some of the properties she worked on included: all Disney characters, Looney Tunes, Superman, Batman, Cabbage Patch Kids, Strawberry Shortcake, The Muppets, and Shari Lewis' Lamb Chop.
What People in the Business Have to Say About Joyce
Manufacturers representatives (Licensees) presented the artwork to the Licensor (owners) for approval. Some their comments of Joyce's designs are as follows:
- Steven Spielberg – reviewing artwork of "Gizmo", from the movie, "The Gremlins", stated "This is the finest artwork I've seen of all my licensees".
- The Disney Co. – declared that a bed tent Joyce designed was "The best artwork they had ever seen from an artist outside of their own studios".
- American Greetings – V.P. of Licensing said "Joyce painted Strawberry Shortcake better than the staff artist who created her".
- The late Shari Lewis – hired Joyce to create a linear Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy. This artwork was then used for the entire Lamb Chop licensing program.
- Henson Associates – offered her a staff job, which her other commitments didn't allow her to accept.
Developing Her Own Characters
During this time Joyce also created and marketed her own original characters which included "Peter the Peppermint Mouse", "The Blossoms of Magic Garden" and "Tummykins'. The images appeared on children's tee shirts, nightshirts, underwear, blanket sleepers and girls handbags.
Today
Now her artistic energy is focused on this website, designing wall art for children. Hopefully, this will create an inspiring environment and an early appreciation of art for them.
Joyce has also returned to her first love, original hand-painted children's portraits. She is a member of The Portrait Society of America and The American Society of Portrait Artist.
Throughout the years the people who know Joyce and her work have remarked over and over again that the boundless joy in Joyce's life overflows into her beautiful artwork. As her newest customers, we hope you'll agree with them.