Welcome to Art By Joce W

Author: Jocelyn

  • Enjoying Fall

    Enjoying Fall

    An ode to my favorite time of year

    Fall is an inspirational time of year. With the colors of the leaves changing and the weather cooling off, this time of year brings a change of pace that I always look forward to.

    To me, fall has traditionally been a speeding up of life; kids are starting school, teachers are back to school, plans start for the upcoming holidays. This year is no different, however it’s a different kind of speeding up then the one I’m used to.

    I gave my brain a break over the summer to  bask in the inspiration that is life. With that the fall brings me back to my art to allow the inspiration I found to flow out onto paper.

    Stay tuned for new art stemming from this summer’s inspiration over the coming months. I hope you took the time to recharge and find inspiration yourself this summer. 

  • Concept to Completion

    Concept to Completion

    Banned Book Cover Trading Card Exhibit

    Recently, I was selected to participate in the Banned Book Exhibit at the Valley Cottage Library. The call to artists was both challenging and meaningful: reimagine a book cover for a title that has faced bans or challenges in libraries across the country.

    I was chosen to recreate the cover for Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Mist and Fury.

    Behind the Scenes: The Initial Concept

    When I submitted my application for this piece, I envisioned a dramatic, atmospheric piece. My original concept pitch was:

    Concept: A central mountain framed by three stars, set against a deep navy and dark purple background. Warm, vibrant golds, browns, and creams bring the mountain and stars to life, anchored by soft wing details sweeping in at the edges.

    It’s always exciting to see how an idea evolves from quick notes and sketch lines into a finished piece!

    Check out the original concept sketches for both the cover and the bookmarks below!

    Bonus Work: The Bookmark Series

    Working within the exhibit’s specific size requirements meant I had to trim down my larger paper before getting started. Never wanting good paper to go to waste, I ended up with three bookmark-sized strips—the perfect canvas to create three complementary bookmarks!

    • The Bookmarks: Available now on my website at ByJoceW.com.
    • The Book Cover: To view or inquire about the original reimagined book cover piece, please reach out directly to the Valley Cottage Library.

    Thank you so much for being here and following along with my creative process!

  • The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    Summer Shots while Hiking or Walking

    Inspiration comes from a vast array of places. Whether it is inspiration for an art piece, a musical composition or even a masterful excel spreadsheet, it is important to recognize when inspiration is sparked so you can more easily become inspired the next time you really need it. This ongoing series can help you learn how much inspiration is found around you at any time. 

    The inspiration for my art comes from plants or views I see on hikes or while I am traveling, my dreams and the books I’ve read. In this addition of “The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms,” I’m reflecting on the hikes and walks I’ve taken this summer. 

  • The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    Most Interesting Reads from the first half of 2026 (Part 2)

    Inspiration comes from a vast array of places. Whether it is inspiration for an art piece, a musical composition or even a masterful excel spreadsheet, it is important to recognize when inspiration is sparked so you can more easily become inspired the next time you really need it. This ongoing series can help you learn how much inspiration is found around you at any time. 

    The inspiration for my art comes from plants or views I see on hikes or while I am traveling, my dreams and the books I’ve read. In this week’s addition of “The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms,” we’ll cover the final 10 books on my “20 Most Interesting Reads from the First Half of 2026” list. 

  • The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    Most Interesting Reads from the first half of 2026 (Part 1)

    Inspiration comes from a vast array of places. Whether it is inspiration for an art piece, a musical composition or even a masterful excel spreadsheet, it is important to recognize when inspiration is sparked so you can more easily become inspired the next time you really need it. This ongoing series can help you learn how much inspiration is found around you at any time. 

    The inspiration for my art comes from plants or views I see on hikes or while I am traveling, my dreams and the books I’ve read. In the next 2 weeks’ additions of “The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms,” you’ll get to see my “20 Most Interesting Reads from the First Half of 2026”. This week we’ll cover the first 10 books starting from the bottom of the list. 

  • Captivating Watercolor Paintings Inspired by Nature

    Captivating Watercolor Paintings Inspired by Nature

    Since July 1 , 2026

    “Currents of a Forgotten Tide”

    7/2026

    9” x 12” (framed copies 12” x 16”)

    Watercolor Painting on Watercolor Paper 

    Inspired by a dreamy underwater world, “Currents of a Forgotten Tide,” is a contrast between the field of pink sea plants swaying at the bottom and the blue currents above. The floating orbs and tiny swimming shapes give the whole scene a playful energy.

    “Sunrise from the Boardwalk”

    7/2026 – 9” x 12” (framed copies 12” x 16”)

    Watercolor Painting on Watercolor Paper 

    Inspired by a photo I took while walking at sunrise at Congers Lake a few summers ago. This watercolor painting shows the perspective from the currently closed portion of the boardwalk, looking out over the quiet water covered pond weeds. The soft pink and yellow sunrise stretching across the sky makes the whole landscape feel peaceful like my early morning walk.

    “Behind the Wooden Veil”

    7/2026 – 9” x 12” (framed copies 12” x 16”)

    Watercolor Painting on Watercolor Paper 

    Inspired by a photo I took while on a hike near my brother’s home in upstate New York. I painted from the perspective of looking through the rustic wooden railing at the calm blue water of the Hudson River. The trees frame the view and the distant bridge make it feel like a secret, quiet spot that I found during my walk.

  • The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms

    Inspiration comes from a vast array of places. Whether it is inspiration for an art piece, a musical composition or even a masterful excel spreadsheet, it is important to recognize when inspiration is sparked so you can more easily become inspired the next time you really need it. This ongoing series can help you learn how much inspiration is found around you at any time. 

    The inspiration for my art comes from plants or views I see on hikes or while I am traveling, my dreams and the books I’ve read. In this addition of “The Blueprint of Brilliant Brainstorms,” I’m diving into 7 inspiration shots I gathered while I was away on a camping vacation in June at the beach. 

    Leave a comment to let me know which one of these is your favorite. The photo with the most comments will be my next piece!

  • The Muse vs. The Masterpiece

    “The Path to Midsummer”

    The original photograph that sparked inspiration was while driving away from a campsite after checkout in Pennsylvania on my way to vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. The path of the road in front of me and the way the clouds and trees danced across the photograph inspired me to paint it. 

    “The Path to Midsummer”, an acrylic painting has green trees that frame the view, leading your eyes out toward the rolling hills in the distance. The bright, open sky gives the whole landscape such a peaceful feel, like the perfect day for a drive.

    “The Path to Midsummer”

    12/2025

    12” x 9” (framed copies 20” x 16”)

  • Afterglow: The Soft Sizzle

    Afterglow: The Soft Sizzle

    6/27 Release

    Welcome to Afterglow. 

    This collection is my latest exploration of the hazy warmth found in a fading day and the lingering energy of the sun, focusing on sunset pinks, crimsons, and fiery oranges. 

    “Whispers of the Sunlit Grove” is an abstract acrylic painting that embodies the vibrant energy of a summer afternoon. This artwork features a burst of leaf-like shapes where delicate veining dances across bold forms of crimson and orange. The play between the saturated colors and the radiant, sun-bleached background captures the hidden life force of a forest bathed in the golden hour light.

    In the acrylic painting, “An Echo in the Garden,” I wanted to explore the beauty of flora at twilight. Against a textured orange ground, two stylized, rounded blossoms emerge with centers that glow with a soft light. It is the contrast between the hazy, atmospheric pink sky and the grounded intensity of the floral forms that creates a sense of lingering warmth. 

    I invite you to immerse yourself in these sun-drenched abstractions and find the piece that resonates with your own rhythm. The full collection is now live in my online shop. I can’t wait to hear which one speaks to you.

  • Solstice Rhythms: The High-Sun Series

    Solstice Rhythms: The High-Sun Series

    6/20 Release

    Welcome to Solstice Rhythms. 

    This collection is my latest exploration of the heat and vibrant energy of the summer sun, focusing on fiery oranges and deep crimsons. 

    “Ignition Point” is a mixed media abstract painting that features upward-swept brushstrokes in a palette of crimson, cadmium orange, and deep vermilion. This work utilizes heavy texture to suggest a flickering heat haze, while the geometric peaks at the center evoke the power of a sun reaching its peak. Set against a creamy background that mimics a bleached summer sky, the composition serves as a powerful focal point that radiates warmth and intensity.

    In the acrylic painting, “Midnight Petals on a Summer Day,” I wanted to capture the rhythmic dance of flora under the midday sun. Against a backdrop of oranges and golden yellows, you’ll find deep cobalt blue petals that provide a stunning study in color theory. It is the interplay between these cool shadows and the fluid, swaying strokes of the radiating warmth that gives this piece its unique visual rhythm.

    I invite you to immerse yourself in these high-energy abstractions and find the piece that resonates with your own rhythm. The full collection is now live in my online shop. I can’t wait to hear which one speaks to you.