Joy Stanley

Joy Lynn Stanley is a painter and calligrapher residing in Macon GA where she was born and raised. She has a B.A. in Psychology from Valdosta State University.

Joy’s art journey began in 1986 as she studied watercolor with local artist, Ernie Stofko. She followed up with other watercolorists, Gail Novak, Judi Wagner and Tony Van Hasselt. After a few years Joy transitioned to oil painting with Maureen Graves Persons and, with this medium, began a whole new adventure: Painting en Plein Air! She has enjoyed many workshop experiences from the Southeast to the West Coast to Italy and France with artists Marianne Dunn, Perry Austin, Dee Beard Dean, Don Demers, Mary Erickson, Nancy Franke, John Guernsey, Cindy Baron, Anne Blaire Brown and Albert Handell. Joy has studied most extensively with acclaimed landscape artists Bill Davidson and her friend and mentor, Elizabeth Tolley.

In the summer of 2017, while painting en plein air and sweltering in the Georgia heat, a most unexpected blessing occurred as careful calculations, perfect lines, accurate color notes and several “must haves” went out the window. A new and exciting style of painting suddenly evolved.

In 2019 Joy published a collection of these new paintings in a book entitled Whimstorical … The re-creation of well known buildings, places and events which evoke fond memories and happy thoughts. These paintings are whimsical yet historical. Joy is currently working on “Whimstorical” paintings in Naples FL.

Joy is a member of the Ocmulgee Painters Society, Middle Georgia Art Association, Macon Arts Alliance and Naples Art Association. Her Paintings can be seen at East West Fine Art Gallery in Naples FL and her own Woodmerry Studio in Macon GA.