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How Inspired Joy Started

 

 

 

I am Emily, usually known as Em, and I'm the artist behind InspiredJoy.  I live with husband Tim, who does something computery for his job, and our cat, Petey, whose hobbies include sitting on the paper that I'm trying to draw on and chasing the top of the paintbrush that I'm using!  As for Tim and I, we love to play our collection of musical instruments, play board games and spend time with our friends.

 

I've been drawing for years, but more and more frequently in the last couple of years.  In 2019 I decided to do something with my art and Inspired Joy began.   I puzzled over the name for my artwork for quite some time, with no success.  Once I stopped trying myself, and God gave me the name, ‘Inspired Joy’ one day.  I knew straight away that this was it, the name to put on all my artwork.

 

I looked at the dictionary definition for ‘inspired’ and it means

'of extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external impulse'

… and that’s where the designs come from… they are Inspired by God.

 

My pictures come from all sorts of places.  Sometimes I see a picture when I read the bible, sometimes it’s when I listen to songs, sometimes my notes from listening to a sermon are in the form of a picture or sometimes I have a particular verse that I would like to study.

 

When I get a picture, I try to scribble it down straight away so that I don’t forget it. Then begins the process of drawing, painting or writing it.  I try to seek God on every aspect of the piece of art work, such as whether it’s a painting or written piece and which materials and colours to use.

I don’t always get it quite right, but this is the start of my new journey!

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Designing My 2022 Calendar

I start thinking about my calendar in early summer, usually with the intention of having it all finished by September (to give me a month to print and promote).  This never happens!  This year, in the spring, I kept feeling like there was going to be a theme to the calendar this time, but wasn't sure what it was or what any of the verses were going be.  I like to prayerfully consider my verses and then illustrate rather than draw and find verses to match.

 

One day, not even thinking about the calendar, I decided to collate all the random verses that I'd been scribbling down or highlighting over the last few months.  I often make a note of verses that might be used for artwork one day.  Suddenly I was looking at a page of verses, most of which were all about the same thing - Praising God for his wonderful earth!  There it was - my theme and verses!

 

Once all 12 verses were confirmed, I began to outline the illustrations to go with each one.  I try to seek God on the order for the verses and what the images should be.  Last year a few people got in touch to say how much a particular verse had helped them in the month they needed to see it.  God is the only one who knows our needs and this makes it so important to let Him guide every step.

 

The next thing to do is to produce the illustrations for each page and the front cover.  For me there always seems to be at least one page where I don't know what the image will be till the last minute, which is a bit scary sometimes but is a good test for me to trust God and not go off ahead with my own ideas.

 

Sometimes I create each page in sections as I am able to use Photoshop to put them together.  For example, for my sunflower page, I painted the sky and grass as one piece, and the sunflowers were on a separate sheet.  This helps if I make a mistake, but mainly enables me to alter the layout for each calendar size.  Once all images are painted, they get scanned in and assembled together on each page.  This year I have an A3 family planner, an A4 calendar and a slimline version.  All the grids are created and added in to each page too.  I usually prepare the grids very early on in the year, so they're ready for when I need them.

This time, rather than handwriting each verse, I created a font which was able to install on the computer.  This was a huge time saver this year so something I'll be exploring more next year.  The font is of my hand writing, which I prefer to a standard typed font.  I quite like it being a little bit quirky and not too perfect!

 

So that's the process I go through to create the design.  It's quite a big project to take on each year, but I love the process.  I enjoy the journey of finding out the verses and seeing it all come together.  I also enjoy seeing the development in my art work compared to the previous calendar.  For me there is more to it than simply creating a product to sell.  It's the journey and learning that is just as important to me too.

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Making a Calendar

The first step is printing the calendar.  Well, actually, I guess the first step is choosing some paper!  I always go for a thick paper that has a matte finish so that it can be written on with various types of pen/pencil.  This year I'm printing my calendar in 3 different size, but keep paper supplies simple, I've arranged the digital files so that they all fit on the same size piece of paper.  It does mean I have some cutting to do, but I find that easier than predicting how much paper in each size that I will need!

Once printed the next step is to cut them to the correct size.  I print on A3 paper, so my family planner style calendars can skip this step.  My A4 and slimline ones need cutting in half.  After this they need putting into order.  Mine usually end up being in a bit of a muddle after being printed and cut!  I do this in two steps:  1) lay out creating a pile for each month - which also makes me tidy my desk up first! and 2) gather up 1 of each to make the full calendar in order.  Now they are ready for assembling.

The first stage of assembling the calendars is to punch a semi circle at the top in the centre.  This enables the pages to be turned over the hanging hook.  I couldn't find a semi circle punch so I've been a little inventive with a circle one and some tape!  I also have it attached to an oh-so-technical piece of paper with a few guidelines drawn on to help me line up the calendar pages.

Next they need putting into the binding stage.  I prepare the binding machine by adding a binding wire and a calendar hook into the slot that I have along the back of my machine.  First they need the holes punching in along the top.  This is the bit I find the hardest because I like the semi circle punch to look central and my oh-so-technical piece of paper doesn't always seem to be so exact when I line the paper up!  Once the holes are punched in, the pages go onto the wire.

 

When the whole calendar is ready, the machine squeezes the wire together to stop the pages falling out.  One extra little tip that I picked up early on was to flip the back page over to the front before binding.  This enables the binding 'seam' to be inside the calendar, so it's hidden until the end of the year, rather than when you initially receive the calendar.

The final stage is to trim the wire over the semi-circle.  This is a bit fiddly, but I find it much easier than trying to bind using two separate wires.  And then they're all finished and ready to go off to their new homes.

You can find them in my shop here for most of the year.  
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‘Rooted’

This new art print is originally from my Envelopes of Joy project, so some of you may have seen it before, even though it is brand new to the shop.  You can read more about Envelopes of Joy here.

 

The Design Process

I've had the idea of a flower as an illustration to go with this verse for a long time, but every time I tried to paint it, it was never quite right.  So I put the idea to one side for a while.  Fast forward over a year, and it was time to begin getting ready for the next Envelope of Joy design.  Each month I spend time praying about what the verse should be and I really felt it was to be Colossians 2 v 7 with some red tulips.  This design has actually ended up incredibly similar to the original paintings I tried, but this worked first time.  Just shows that in God's timing, things work better!

 

To me, the splatters of red coming from the tulip show the 'overflowing' and the stem needs to be strong just like we need to be strengthened.  (We'll ignore that fact that tulips are well known for becoming droopy quite quickly - then again, look what happens when they aren't connected to the roots!)

How It's Made

I usually create each print in parts - mainly because if I make a mistake with one thing, I don't have to start again!  Sometimes the original piece is all one together, but if I'm making it as a product, I do it in sections to enable better editing digitally.  I begin with the painting which is usually done with watercolours.  I then draw out the text separately, although for this particular print it is more written than fancy writing.   I do this separately to enable me to play about with layout and text size without damaging the painting with endless rubbing out.  The next stage is to scan everything in and put it all together (I use photoshop).  Here I can play about with the layout again and ensure that everything is neat and tidy.  Finally, it's ready to print  and send to it's new home.

 

 

This design is now available to purchase in various sizes in the shop.

 

 

 

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Mary and Martha

 

This latest piece of artwork is based on something I’ve been pondering on this week.  As everybody finds, sometimes life gets so crammed with things and we find ourselves being busy all day every day.  I was reminded of Mary and Martha  in the bible and felt challenged about whether I’m being a Martha or a Mary?  Am I being so busy with the things that I think need to be done or am taking the time to focus on Jesus first?   Sometimes I find the ‘to-do’ list gets so long that it begins to control my day and the deadlines that I feel are there dictate what becomes a priority – just like Martha.  Really I should be like Mary, putting all those things on the to-do list aside to seek Jesus first.  I’m definitely not managing to achieve this all the time, but having this picture in my mind or up on the wall is another prompt to help me along in the right way.

 

 

 

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‘The Oak Tree’

This print is based on a verse that remember learning in Sunday School as a child. It also reminds me of a song we used to sing too and I can’t help but sing the verse now when I read it!

 

I painted an oak tree for the illustration on this print, because oak trees remind me of great strength. I’m sure we could argue that all trees are strong (once fully grown or established) but to me, an oak tree can withstand far more storms and is maybe the strongest and most resilient.  When we are following God’s plan and seeking his will in everything we do and face, no matter what storms come our way, if we keep fixed on Him we will find the strength we need in Him.

 

You can now find the print to buy here.

 

 

 

‘The Oak Tree’ print was originally painted for my Envelopes of Joy project.  Here you can sign up to receive a small A6 size print in the post every month.  There are various length bundles available, with a brand new print each month.

Click here for more information on Envelopes of Joy.

 

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Colouring Sheets

Here's something new for Inspired Joy - colouring sheets! I had the idea of colouring sheets squirreled away for another time, but maybe this is a better time! Maybe one day they'll make it into an actually colouring book, but for now they are available to download completely free whilst we're unable to get out. Feel free to send some photos of your completed sheets. I've made a start one one!

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The God Of Comfort

This print features one of my most important verses from the bible.  It comes with a story to tell, a very personal story, but one that I would now like to share.  I’ve been drawing for a long time but until recently I’ve hidden my art away, because to me, each one tells a personal story and I like to hide away and not share what I’m going through.  Sometimes it feels like I’m opening up my diary for someone to read and that’s almost how it is with this verse.  The picture itself isn’t important, it’s the words that mean so much, so here is the story.

 

When I was 16 I had a bible that was divided up so that you could read the whole bible in a year  I wasn’t doing a particularly good job of reading it – in fact I’d barely read any at all.  Now comes the emotional part – when I was 16, my mum died very suddenly.  That night as I went to bed I picked up my bible and began to read the chapters for that day.  I only got a few verses in…here’s what it said:

 

2 Corinthians 1 v 3-4:

‘All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He can comfort us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.’

 

That verse gave me so much comfort.  I almost felt like after a strange day of bewilderment at what had just happened, living in a daze, suddenly it made sense.  One day I would need to have been through this experience.  It didn’t mean the following days, months, years became easy, but I remember feeling a sense of purpose to this sudden extreme change to my life.

 

So here is a new print.  Hopefully you’ll use it remind yourself and others, that we have a God who knows all.  He knows the bigger picture.  He knows the purpose of why we go through the things that we do.  He is the source of our comfort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Available to purchase here)

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Keeping Close

So this is Petey, our cat, and he reminded me of something. Quite often Petey follows me around the house just wanting to be in the same room as me, if not sitting on me! One afternoon I was working at the computer and he was trying to sit with me. He tried sitting on my hand using the mouse, tried sitting on the keyboard, until at last he settled on the printer and curled up to go to sleep. I resisted the urge to print something just for fun and I laughed to myself as this is really not the most comfortable place to sleep when there is a sofa in the same room or even the carpet!

 

It did, however, challenge me. This is what we should be like with God, trying our best to stay close to Him. It won’t always be comfortable like curling up on a sofa. Sometimes it might feel like we’re trying to sleep on a printer, but that’s ok if we’re close to Him.

 

So this is Petey, our quirky cat, simply remind me of something very important.

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Occasionally Asked Questions

Here are some questions that I sometimes get asked about Inspired Joy, so I thought I'd answer them here!  You can also read more on my 'About Me' page.  Do get in touch if you have another question and I'll add it on to the end.

 

What is your favourite media to work with?

I love using watercolours, they’re probably my favourite media to use, but I am rapidly developing a love of pencil crayons.  I particularly love using them to add details over the top of the watercolours.  I enjoy using my graded pencils for little pencil drawings too.

 

Where do you get your ideas from?

My ideas come from various places:  reading the bible, spending time listening to God, listening to sermons, worship songs… the list goes on!

 

What is your vision?

My aim is not to become the next multi-millionaire, but simply to share my artwork of God’s messages.

 

What are your hobbies?

Drawing!  I do love to spend lots of time doodling, drawing and playing about with pens and paint.  However, I also have other interests!  I enjoy jigsaws, playing musical instruments and spending time with friends and family.

 

Do you have a favourite piece of artwork?

Usually whatever I’m busy working on!  My favourite changes constantly!  But if I had to choose, my 'Clothe Yourselves' print is probably on the favourites list and my favourite product are the 'Envelopes of Joy'.

 

How long does it take to complete each piece?

The time it takes to produce a piece of artwork varies from piece to piece – and how many times I file it away in the bin and start again!  I know when it’s not my best and will often start again until I’m happy!

 

How does Inspired Joy look after the environment?

Firstly I have a paper recycling box right next to my desk.  Where possible, my prints and postcards are printed onto recycled card.  I specifically chose biodegradable clear bags for my packaging when it is needed.  There are other little things, like using cardboard boxes that my orders arrive in as storage instead of buying plastic boxes and the rubber stamps that were made with my logo are from eco-friendly companies.

 

Where do you do your artwork?

I work at home, in a variety of places.  Sometimes I work in the kitchen if I need to make use of all the worktop space.  Sometimes I curl up with my sketchbook in the lounge (occasionally with the log burner going and usually a blanket!)  My favourite place to work though, is our ‘Spudy’ – the spare room / study!  I have all my resources up there, a desk by the window, my drawing board and plenty of space to spread out all my products and designs – also has the bonus of being the warmest room in the house!

 

Where did the name ‘Inspired Joy’ come from?

I pondered on the name for quite a while, with nothing feeling it the ‘the’ name.  Then one day, I was just scribbling down a to-do list for the day, which included some business planning, the name just came to me.  I instantly knew that this was the name to use.  As soon as I stopped trying, God gave me the answer.  ‘Inspired’ means 'of extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external impulse' which is exactly where the designs come from  - inspired by God.