Hi, I’m Joy & This Is My Art Blog

This is my personal space online where I write about myself, creative projects keeping me busy, and other stuff I think is worth sharing as Part of My Art Blog.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to say that they get paid to do what they love. I’m lucky to say that I’ve had the opportunity to spend my adulthood so far making a living by being creative and (occasionally) getting recognized for my quirky artistic endeavors.

1999–2004

Editing zines, Painting, Rubber Stamping, Weaving & Creating Collages

I started my career at the University of Chicago. While working in that gig, I was totally a hustler during my evenings and weekends. I used all of my spare time volunteering as the membership director of WebGrrls’ Chicago chapter; going to content strategy meet-ups and AIGA-sponsored events; publishing an online zine called Beef: The Meat; and participating as a guest author at Bryony Gomez-Palacio and Armin Vit’s influential and inspiring graphic design blog, Speak Up.

2005–2008

Making Jewelry, Knitting, Cross-stitching, Molding Soaps & Quilling

I followed up my fresh-out-of-college time at UChicago with a four-year stint at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, serving as its art director when the publication won the National Magazine Award for the best magazine in 2007 (circulation under 100,000).

As the only designer on the Bulletin’s small but mighty team, I was also the one who got to work directly with many different illustrators, graphic designers, and art world rockstars, including Milton Glaser (so fast to generate ideas and of course they were always all brilliant), Michael Bierut (who is even nicer than he is talented), Vit (maybe the most creative person I know), John Hendrix (no one uses color like he does!), and Martyl (aka, the genius behind the Bulletin’s famous Doomsday Clock who had the most wicked sense of humor).

I talk in detail about my time at the Bulletin helping to create the modern interpretation of the Clock in an interview included in The Doomsday Clock at 75, edited by Robert K. Elder and J.C. Gabel.

In my limited spare time, I served on the UCDA advisory board and contributed articles to its flagship publication. I also sold some of my creations at craft shows to make more money for art supplies, as one does.

2009–2017

Sewing Clothes, Painting (again), Folding OriGami & Baking

I returned to UChicago where I joined their amazing, award-winning magazine team as its UChiBLOGo and Lite of the Mind section editor. But, what I cherished most was that I got to be the group’s go-to gal for all things digital, e.g., their website, email newsletters, and social media.

I fiercely miss all of those talented folks every single day. Being creative all day is easy when you work with peers who value excellence and artfully use words and images to stories that really mean something.

During this period, You could also often find me at Creative Morning events. My favorite was a talk with Christie Hefner. Though I paused work on my zine and hadn’t yet started this art blog, I was still occasionally writing. I had a couple guest posts get published. The most popular piece was one that first ran on my friend Claire’s blog and was later republished in Jezebel.

If you love Huey Lewis and other celebrities from the 1980s and 1990s, I recommend checking it out for a laugh. (Note: Sadly, since it’s such an old post, all of its images are broken now—boo!)

2018–Present

Writing Articles for this Art Blog, Quilting, Screenprinting, Making Mosaics, Creating Collages (again) & Making AI art

Today, I work in digital marketing and web development as part of my talented sister’s Indianapolis-based agency (also award-winning). We help healthcare organizations and B2B companies around the United States get more from their advertising dollars, and our clients are a great group of people who treat us like true partners which is sooooo refreshing.

In 2019 I enrolled in Seth Godin’s altMBA, a rigorous-but-rewarding business school alternative where I was part of the 33 “Ruby” cohort. It was one of the most challenging and purpose-driven periods of my life. I’m grateful for the rabble-rousing Ravens that I met as part of that once-in-a-lifetime learning experience.

Though my creative hobbies outside of work change regularly, I am happiest when I am creating so this art blog is my way of keeping track of the different things I’m making as an artist. I’ve described some of my favorite creative activities below in the carousel.

Thanks for visiting my Art Blog

Keep reading to learn more about me and what I like to create or pop back to the archive of blog articles to get inspired by my projects.