GRIT

People often ask me how I achieved my successes and how my artwork has become known. I'm sure they think this has happened overnight in a few months or maybe a year. They always lean in, as if they are going to hear some nugget of inspiration that will suddenly catapult them and their work front and center someplace - quickly. They always seem a bit disappointed when I tell them they have to have passion and to never give up and to give a hand to others - that no one can do it alone. Then they walk away (literally or off into cyber land).

STANDING IN URBAN OUTFITTERS IN COLUMBUS OHIO HAPPILY HOLDING SOME OF MY ARTWORK FOR SALE IN THEIR STORES AND ONLINE.

I've always been an artist, although I did not call myself that until recently. It has always been a passion - a light that burned strong and hot inside my soul. It is how I walk through life. My photography is how I experience this thing called life and this planet we walk on. It was in many ways a necessity that I sell my art. But that is a whole other blog post!

Most people believe that things happen instantly. the mindset of magical thinking. But the things that truly matter and are worth having or being take time and and lots of work. This morning while having my coffee, I was listening to a morning news show and my ears perked up when Angela Duckworth began talking about GRIT. She said that talent alone does not guarantee success (as so many hope). She said in the age of talent shows, talent is really not enough to instantly become a success or star. Her research discovered that something she came to call grit was needed to achieve great things. She described grit as a combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal, and that grit was a hallmark of achievers.

I looked up the definition of grit in the dictionary. GRIT: firmness of character; indomitable spirit; plunk. Synonyms: fortitude, courage

It's been a while since I heard the word plunk (or grit), but I'm really liking them. So next time someone asks me for words of wisdom on how to achieve success, I'll tell them when they lean in.... You need to be a gritty person. You need to have a bit of plunk and indomitable spirit.....

So Delighted to be Featured on ARTNOIS! { nature photography } [ fog photographs ] { Ohio fine art photographer }

I was so over the moon to be contacted by ARTNOIS last month about about having my fine art photography featured! They are awesome & I love seeing the artists and musicians they feature and promote. Thank you ARTNOIS for the wonderful spot! Much appreciated~!  See the whole article HERE.

I'm so delighted to have my work and journey featured on the Love Ohio Crafters and Artisan blog today!! Thanks so much Vicki for the fabulous job you did!

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Oh Joy…Or Should it be Ode to Joy?

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Vicki

 

My last featured artist for 2013 is photographer, Joy St. Claire.  Joy and I met initially when we were both vendors at Daniel Colvin’s Hit’n'Run events at CS Gallery a couple of years ago and then ran into each other at a couple of other art/crafts shows.  I fell in love with her muted tones and her adorable dog pictures immediately!  Since that time, we have ‘talked’ on Facebook, I’ve interviewed her for another blog and met once last winter to walk our doggies on the chipmunk trail in Westerville.

I’m so happy for the many successes she has had with her photography and am pleased to be featuring her here on my blog.

Her business aptly describes her photographic style: Oh Joy! Photography.  Every picture that I have seen of hers conveys joy and happiness.  From the nature photos to still life and portraiture to pictures of Mags, her photography celebrates the good in life and the beauty of all that surrounds us on a daily basis.

Although her dream was to go into photojournalism or landscape architecture when she was younger, she was discouraged because: “Don’t do what you love or you won’t love it anymore.”  As she sees it now this was very bad advice as she is doing what she was meant to do all along and is thoroughly enjoying every minute of it!  To that end, she always encourages young people to do what they love – to be tenacious and creative enough to follow their passion.

She received her degree from Kent State University with a BS in Criminal Justice and minors in Urban Planning and Sociology. After graduating from college, she worked for a police department doing intelligence work but eventually found that was not where she was happiest, choosing to turn to more artistic endeavors and leave the old advice behind.  Hence, O Joy Photography was born!

one of her fav subjects and best buddy, Maggie, aka Mags

Joy describes her art as modern vintage style/ fine art/ home decor photography featuring nature, flowers and landscapes.

Her inspiration comes from what she calls a bit of an interactional process.  As she states:

It is a connection to what I am photographing, a connection to something larger than myself and a connection to something deep inside. They all combine to what you see in my art! I love soft morning light, fog, primal woods and trying to come up with a new way/view to photograph something I have photographed many times before or a common object (fruit for example). I try to catch myself when I say “oh, I’ve photographed that before so I won’t do it again” and instead try to say “How can I present it differently?”

Workshops or books about creative process also help to keep her fresh and open for new techniques and ideas.

She has also ventured into a new realm with her iPhone and the photographic apps that are available.  It has allowed her  to have a camera with her constantly, so she can always try to see the world in a new light…different from when she had to carry around her camera and be a bit less spontaneous.  She says that is has recharged her creative process and inspired her to shoot in new ways with my Nikon. Some of her favorite apps are Snapseed, Pictapgo, Lo-Mob and Distressed Fx.

sky project 346.365

You can find Joy’s work  at Society6, Turning Art, Caseable, Modern Mural, The Kase, Fine Art America, Redbubble along with some pieces at Getty Images as well as in her Etsy.com shop.  Just recently, her work was featured on Zulily, and PI Creative in Canada. Her photography was also featured at the Golden Globes 2 years ago, both in their gift shop and in the swag bags given to celebs.

Something tells me that her creative journey has just begun and I am so happy that she ignored the naysayers and followed her “joy”!

 Contact info for readers:

joy@ohjoyphotography.com

614-446-6569

www.ohjoyphotography.com

www.etsy.com/shop/joystclaire

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ohjoyphotography1

Instagram: http://instagram.com/joystclaire1

Samsung Galaxy Cases and iPhone Cases - $6 off Today at Society6! { phone accessories } [ holiday gifts ]

Friday the 13th is the last day for the fun week of Sales at Society6. Today take $6 off on all phone cases. There is fabulous work by some amazing artists here so stop by & check it out! To stop by to see my phone cases click HERE.

Get some AWESOME ART! And get me to the FRANKFORT ART FAIR! {Michigan Photographer} {Ohio Photographer}

Several months ago, I applied for my first juried outdoor art show, full of hope, but not really expecting to get in. Well, the notice came and it was an acceptance! WOOHOO! So I launched a KICKSTARTER PROJECT to help me get all the things I need (equipment, product) to get to the show. Kickstarter is a way for artists to get a project funded and in exchange the people who back the project get some amazing rewards/art. It is a win/win type of endeavor. But it is also all or nothing, so if the project is not completely funded, the artist gets nothing and their project is bust. I have 11 days left on my project and am 30% funded. I REALLY want to get to this show and make this dream a reality. I would love if you could find it in your heart to share or back my project!! xoxox Thanks so much! Watch my video and read all about it HERE .

Still Moments 2 - New Book now available! {Michigan Photographer}

I'm so excited about publishing a new book through Blurb featuring my photography! Stop by and take a look! Available in soft cover, hard cover and pdf download for viewing on Kindle and book readers!

A Still Moment 2 by O. Joy StClaire | Make Your Own Book

Every Day a Beginning

 The Day Flew Away

Well, I had all sorts of intentions to do a blog post the first of January. You know - a new year sort of thing. Somehow 31 days flew quickly by! But the great thing about beginnings is you can have them anytime! And so today I'm doing what I had planned to do a month ago... talk about beginnings!

This year - no resolutions. Instead I'm focusing on what I want to bring into my life this year & how I want to live this year. And... also I'm thinking of what I want to let go of. The past year saw lots of changes - very good changes and I'd like that to continue. So, I want to live this year healthier - mentally, nutritionally & spiritually. I was already soy free due to an allergy to soy. This year I am gluten free. Already I have fewer headaches & feel better. I am giving myself time for me, to reduce stress. I started doing yoga (why did I wait so long?). I'm including prayer as part of my everyday routine. I have personalized The Prayer of Jabez for my life - and I love that daily focus on God, living well and with intention. And I'm going to do my best to post on my blog 5 times a week!

And - what am I letting go of?

Worry! A friend today said: Worry is a prayer for things I don't want. 

So.... I'm going to banish worry.

What do you want to bring into your life..... & what do you want to let go of?

Gorgeous, Unique Handmade Art and Gifts ~ Discover Etsy!

ETSY???
A lot of people say "What is Etsy?", when I tell them I have an online Etsy shop. Well, in the words of Etsy, it is the worldwide online venue where you can buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies. For a great You-tube video on Etsy, look HERE. For me, Etsy is a way to show and sell my fine art photography. It is a community of indie (independent) artists all over the world. It is a place to buy or sell handmade goods and art. I feel it is a personalized experience for both buyers & sellers. In a way it is the opposite of everything "Big Box". And in a very basic way - the Etsy shops in the US are home grown small business with made in America goods and art. The basis of Etsy are "Treasuries" which showcase specific items. If one of these treasuries gets lots of traffic, it has a chance to make it to the "Front Page" of Etsy. Below is a Treasury which I curated showcasing of the beautiful and unique items found on Etsy! You can click on individual items to be taken to the direct link and shop. Enjoy!

'Lighter Than Air ...' by joystclaire

Since it is soooo very hot here in Ohio, I thought a cool, breezy beautiful treasury would help! Happy Summer!

CLOCK buJACZEk foLK whi... ArtmaStudio $55.00	Modern Day Aristocrat T... TutusChic $65.00	Faded Pink - Fine Art V... GrainnePhotogr... $10.00	Vintage French Dining T... FrenchEclectic $1640.00
Farmhouse Burlap Bolste... craftsbycarter $20.00	A kind of hush - Fine a... irenesuchocki $30.00	Vintage Painted Cottage... paintedcottage... $1595.00	Crocheted pure new wool... MaybeTheWhiteD... $20.00
ivory, champagne celebr... SASessories $39.50	bird canvases pilosale $42.00	Pleated String Lights PigeonToeCeram... $174.00	BIANCA layered capes bo... GIULIACONTI $168.00
Forged Steel Clock VermontBlacksm... $190.00	Pincushion - Felted Cup... madeinlowell $30.00	Felted slippers - will ... ing00te $73.00	50% off with code TRAC5... TRACCEbags $97.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Eco Chic Green Art Festival! Eco Chic Craftacular! {Columbus Ohio Artist and Photographer}

I'm so excited to be an exhibitor artist at this fabulous juried show in Clintonville this weekend at the Whetstone Park Recreation Center on North High Street. This is Etsy Team Columbus' 3rd Annual Eco Chic Craftacular!! The event is a large 2 day indie craft show, indoors and outdoors, promoting green living, community involvement, handmade art and crafts, buying local to support the economy, and plain old having fun. We have live music, crafts for kids, free swag bags, raffle for AWESOME prizes, live demonstrations and more! Stop by for great food, music and art! There will even be a worm composting demonstration and other great green living demos!

Black Friday Cyber Monday Sale!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I have so much to be thankful for & hope you do as well!

We know what happens after Thanksgiving - a little bit of a frenzy of checking off our gift list. I'm having a great 50% off sale on prints IN MY SHOP for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday. Cards and Calendars are on sale, too! Stop by - there are NO CROWDS to fight!!

19.30~Art & Artists & Community

19.30~Art & Artists & Community, originally uploaded by *ojoyous1*.

I'm thankful for creativity & art in all its forms. And so very thankful for the support & inspiration of creative communities & forums & Flickr! Getting ready for my first Art Show this Sunday! And excited... well & a bit overwhelmed!

The Gulf Coast Disaster

Images of tar balls on beaches and oil covered birds and wildlife are streaming across our TV screens, computer screens and iPhones. The lives of animals & oil rig workers, & the livelihoods of Gulf Coast residents are being lost. I feel helpless.

A shop on Etsy, Help the Gulf Coast, has been formed uniting Etsy sellers to bring help to the Gulf Coast. Proceeds from sales from this special shop will be split 50/50 between Oxfam America & American Bird Conservancy . This is a great opportunity to purchase art by independent (indie) artists and at the same time have your purchase help OUR Gulf Coast in this disaster. We can do little things to make a difference! Please visit this shop. If you are an artist, please consider making a donation to this shop. I have donated the above image to this cause and will be donating more art in the future.

Announcing Fine Art Vintage Portraits! Central Ohio Family Photographer / Columbus Ohio Fine Art Photographer

In addition to my standard line of artistically edited portraits, I will also be offering a new line of Fine Art Vintage Portraits! This new item will be available as gallery wrap canvas (11x14 and larger) and as 11x14 and larger gift portraits. I love the classic and timeless mood of this new introduction!

Summer Mini Sessions are Back!

Your life is a fine art...

let your portraits reflect that!

Oh Joy! Photography is now accepting a LIMITED number of mini portrait sessions in the months of July and August. These sessions are always popular and fill quickly. Call to reserve your spot before they are gone!

You may select from either Inniswood Metropark (Westerville) or Creekside Park (Gahanna) for your session location.

What does the mini session include?

* A 20 - 30 minute portrait session for 2. (Add $25 for extra persons.

* An 8x10 portrait

* 5 digital files on CD with printing license

* The photographer's time, talent and personal online gallery of artistically edited images.

Your investment for this popular session is $110.

Time flies...

capture it now!