Ode to Joy: Oklahoma’s Grande Dame of Contemporary Abstract Painting
In a recent conversation, contemporary abstract artist Joy Richardson, whose exuberant paintings may be seen at Oklahoma City’s Howell Gallery and Canyon Road Contemporary in Santa Fe, gave us insight into the essence of art, her career and what color means to her. (Hint: Color means everything to her!)
When did you start painting?
As a child making cakes, I’d rashly use every shade of food coloring to frost them, often ruining my mother’s desire for cake. I loved color! My college degree required a fine arts class, but painting a stationary bowl of fruit bored me as I saw no room for creativity. So, I guessed, I must not be artistic. During my children’s school years, I jumped in to help with their projects, even using my playful creativity in an “eatable solar system”—picture red onion rings around Saturn.
Our daughter’s first home had huge walls, but she had no money and asked me to “paint something.” With no boundaries, I used balance and color with abandon. Such fun! Developing my own “style,” I dove back into art in a big way. Our home filled with big, colorful canvases, and my husband Jerry suggested they needed somewhere to reside. At my first art show, I was shocked at selling 17 paintings—and a monster was born.
How do you describe your art?
Contemporary, very colorful, interestingly balanced, often soft with a jolt of unexpected hues to surprise you, and happy; very upbeat. Though in contrast to that, I am drawn to Native American culture: the colors, textures and history. I have been painting Native American women in the last few years. My ladies are ethereal and symbolic but reflect the culture. Disclaimer: While I have no Native American blood, I respect their ethnology, and am drawn to it.
What medium do you use and why?
Acrylics, which are water-based but can be bold, are my choice. They dry very quickly, which appeals to me as I can slather on another layer immediately, creating depth and stimulating color combinations, and some fortuitous results. My work would be called abstract, and I’ve not any intention to replicate an item, but when that happens and is pointed out, I’m as surprised as they are.
What inspires you to create?
I dream in color. Often, I awaken and think, “What if I mixed that color with this?” Just as often, it was a bad idea, but sometimes it’s thrilling! A child at the Oklahoma City Arts Festival (I showed there for 10 years) asked me, “Is there any color you haven’t used?” Probably not—and I’ve made up new ones.
I’ll be mesmerized by the colors of an oil slick on a driveway, a sunrise, a cracked leather chair. I can’t wait to try to replicate those in paint. Balance, either symmetrical or asymmetrical, on a canvas is my most essential element; if that is not pleasing, the painting won’t work. My paintings are in galleries (Howell Gallery in OKC and Canyon Road Contemporary Art in Santa Fe), homes, hospitals and municipal buildings coast to coast.
How has your work evolved through the years?
As I meet people who find joy in my work, it emboldens me. I’ve the confidence to see no rules and go for what delights the eye. I turn out some ugly paintings, but I just turn those to the wall, let them sit in “time out,” and then bring them out another time and paint over them.
Color is an essential part of your work. What about it fascinates you?
Like a chemistry experiment, I can mix colors in varying amounts and create a whole new hue. Those colors drive the viewer to be sad, gleeful, puzzled or enchanted—all without a word.
What is a favorite piece you have created?
Much as I don’t have a favorite among my three children, art is the same way. I am thrilled when someone tells me that they always smile when they stroll by a painting they bought from me. Often, they’ll say they see different things as the light hits it, or an abstract brush stroke reminds them of a feather, a mountain or a kitty. As you would fear, my home is very colorful. Several canvases have been created to incorporate those colors, so I’m reluctant to sell them. Maybe those would be called “favorites.”
How do you define art?
Art, in my mind, comes in so many forms. If it moves me to an emotion of any kind, I think of it as art. Swells of rich music, well-written phrases, graceful dance moves, athletic prowess, the fond gaze of a dog. Passion and sensations because of something I’ve experienced are what I would call “art.”