Tag: about me

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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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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.