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.....

LISTEN

WE HAVE TWO EARS AND ONE MOUTH SO WE CAN LISTEN TWICE AS MUCH AS WE SPEAK. ~ Epictetus (Greek philosopher)

We all have days where we become overwhelmed - by life, by circumstances, by fear........ In those times we often feel alone. We reach out, and feel misunderstood or like we are not being heard. Then we are more overwhelmed.

A friend reached out to me the other day. She was overwhelmed and it was building up and building up. When she called it was like she just popped the cork out & it all came tumbling out..... and out, and out. I caught myself starting to offer input or suggestions, and then realized that all that was needed of me was to listen. Listen! To just be there for her to let it all out. To be a safe and soft place to land for that moment. and so, I shut my one mouth and opened my two ears. That simple act can be such a gift to give to a friend - or anyone. And I found myself in the similar situation of feeling overwhelmed and in came all the suggestions from very well meaning friends! And while I appreciate their caring and love and desire to be helpful, I ended up feeling more overwhelmed. In the future when a friend needs an ear, I'll really pay attention to opening my ears more, and if I open my mouth to offer something, I hope it will be - "How can I help you? What, if anything, can I do? I'm here for you. I care."

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.

Phone Case Giveaway with Caseable! [ Recycled ] { Spring Flower Photography } Spring Freebie

We are all so looking forward to Spring! It is time for Winter to close and Spring to make its appearance with a profusion of flowers and warming breezes. And in anticipation of Spring, Caseable is giving away one of my Phone cases for free! FREE! All you do is stop by their Facebook Page and leave a comment about what you like best about spring for a chance to win my popular Dialogue With the Sky design in a phone case! But hurry, a winner will be selected in a couple days! Of course my favorite thing to do is to get out and hike and shoot the beautiful flowers! Spring Fever!!

Featured Artist Interview with Caseable { Fine Art Photographer } [ Nature Photography ] { Recycled Made in America Products }

I'm delighted to be the featured artist for March at CASEABLE. If you're not familiar with them, well then - stop over now to take a look. I love that they have a unique recycled product that sets them apart from the crowd. The following is their feature interview of my work & business! You can see my product line at Caseable HERE!

On the Couch with Joy StClaire

We sat down with the amazing and effervescent Joy StClaire to talk about her awe-inspiring photography.

Joy’s photographs evoke memories of her childhood in Ohio, and of time spent outdoors on her grandfather’s farm. She has a great attention to detail that can be seen in her close-ups of flower petals, morning sun breaking through the tree crowns or in the detailed ornaments of a carousel. Just as they do art prints, her work looks stunning on our cases and we admire her spirit that comes with it!

When did you decide to become a photographer?
I don’t know that I actually decided! For as long as I can remember, it is just how I have always seen the world – in “frames” or “squares”, and always being aware of light. About 10 years ago, I decided to actually turn this passion into something mainstream after receiving inquiries from people who had seen my work.

What is the first photograph you ever took?
Ah! I still have it and just looked at it the other day! I spent much time at my grandfather’s farm in the mountains and photographed the sunset while up in his fields one evening.

What is the most inspiring travel destination for you?
I loved the rugged wilderness and coastal towns of Nova Scotia, Canada and I also loved the landscapes and fishing villages of the Blue Hill Peninsula in Maine. On my bucket list? Charleston, South Carolina , Newfoundland, Canada , Scotland and the Oregon Coast.

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you after your career took off?
I keep looking at this question and almost laughing, because I guess I don’t really stop long enough to think of it in those terms (my career taking off). I feel I’m always growing and building. I guess I’m not so much looking behind, as I’m always looking ahead and thinking of the next phase and evolution of my art. I tend to stay in the moment and experience life as it happens continually around me. So I would say the whole journey is the best thing!

If you could travel back in time where would you go?
Where would I go? I think maybe the Renaissance because it was such a time of exploration and had such amazing art and artists. Or maybe the Roaring 20s/Jazz Age because it was a time of changing views and focus on culture, art and music.

What is your favorite book or what are you currently reading?
One of my favorite books was The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein – loved it!! And currently I’m reading The Little Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.

What's your favorite photograph of yours and why?
This is always changing!! Right now, I think it’s Inner Peace because it was taken while I was exploring the foggy woods of the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania while reconnecting with my college sweetheart!

Do you have any new projects you're currently working on?
At this time of year (so very cold!) I work on creating new still life pieces, usually with fruits or flowers or food and I am enjoying shooting on my aqua vintage table. Everything looks so pretty on it! I’m also talking with some artists about doing collaborations, and am thinking about doing a collage project.

You take amazing nature photos but if you could choose to photograph any famous figure, who would it be and why?
Thanks so much! I would love to photograph Amelia Earhart. She has always fascinated me and inspired me – following her passion to fly and always being her own person, taking chances and not believing in barriers. Of course her clothing and plane would make for amazing props in a shoot!

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INNER PEACE is available HERE as a fine art print, throw pillow, shower curtain, mug, note card and gallery wrap canvas.

Happy Daylight Savings Time!! Last day of Spring Sale! { Michigan Nature Photographer } [ Ohio Photographer ]

This special sale happens only a couple times a year - FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Plus $5 off EACH ITEM in my shop!  I'm trying to decide what I will order! Perfect for spring decorating & giving my place a fresh look. I now am happy to have shower curtains to update the bath decor, throw pillows, clocks, mugs, phone cases and of course fine art photography prints. The sale ends tonight at midnight PST!! You must use this link to activate your savings! Happy Spring!

Welcome Spring Sale! { nature photography } [ throw pillows ] { phone cases }

I'm so excited to announce the arrival of Shower Curtains in my Society6 shop! These are so pretty and perfect for changing things up for Spring and getting some fresh decor in the home! And through Sunday March 9, 2014 you get FREE SHIPPING and $5 off EACH item in my shop (*Offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with insert.) To take advantage of this sale, just click on this link.


Shop my pretty new floral designs, new abstract modern art and wall art with quotes and typography! Happy Spring! Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD this weekend! SPRING FORWARD for Daylight Saving's Time!! CLICK HERE to activate your sale.

A Dream Comes True - My Photography in Urban Outfitters stores { Ohio Photographer } [ Michigan Nature Photographer ]

I was an artist before I knew I was an artist. It is just how I experience and walk through life and the world - seeing beauty everywhere.... fascinated with light .... interested in lines ... a love affair with nature and the world. There were days when I got frustrated with my work not being seen or appreciated. And like everyone, I thought about quitting. But I realized I must photograph. It is not just what I do - it is who I am. I can't "not" photograph. And so, continuing to do what I love and creating from my heart has finally paid off. I'm delighted to announce that my fine art nature photography will appear in the Urban Outfitters stores in the future - a dream come true. So while browsing, keep a lookout for my art prints featuring places in Ohio and Michigan! And until then, you can find these and more of my work in my ETSY SHOP and SOCIETY6 SHOP! Keep track of my daily wanderings on INSTAGRAM!

DAISY LOVE

CRASH

THE COLORS OF MY SOUL

SEA OF HAPPINESS

THE WAY THAT LIGHT ATTACHES TO A DREAM

Fine Art Photography Featured in National Groupon Event! { Home Decor } [ Dreamy Photography ]

It has been a wonderful year on so many fronts and 2013 is ending with a happy bang! I'm so excited about my fine art prints being featured in a National Groupon Event! It has been a fabulous success so far, and this is the last day of the sale, so hurry over. As usual, I'm a bit behind in blogging about it! Better  late than never, though! Some of my happiest, dreamiest beach photography and nature photography is being featured in this event. Spiff up your home sweet home with some new wall art for 2014!!

See the event HERE.

Happy 2014!!

You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray [ Typography Print ] { Modern Nature Photography } [ Home Decor ]

Who doesn't love this quote! Who doesn't want to just sing out loud and smile when you see it?!
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...
You make me happy when skies are grey...

This song is just so timeless and infused with good memories and energy! It was the perfect quote to pair with my fine art forsythia photograph on gray background. I've been thinking of this creation for a while and finally just sat down to put it together. I hope it makes you smile and feel loved! The pillows, mugs and tote bags would make great Valentine gifts, Mother's Day gifts or birthday gifts. And of course the print would looks fabulous in a cottage bedroom or as nursery decor!

You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Gray

MUG

CASE

PILLOW

TOTE BAG

IPAD CASE

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

Friday the 13th is a Lucky Day! Zulily Feature { fine art photography } [ nature photography ] Michigan Photographer

Well, Friday the 13th has turned out to be a lucky day for me! Are you superstitious? I'm definitely not! We create our own lives and luck by positive energy and intention. And this energy and mood is infused into my fine art photography. Stop by on Zulily today where I am a featured artist. Following my bliss and living my dream each day! Happy everything, merry always!

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.

Holiday Sale at Society6 - $6 off Pillow Covers - FREE SHIPPING over $50 { home decor } [holiday gifts]

Not just for pillow fights, throw pillows have become the prettiest, hottest trend in home decor today! They are easy to switch out as the seasons change, or as your interior decorating colors change. I have pillows in just about every color - greens, blues, pink,s grays. Today only, take $6 off each pillow cover in my Society6 shop! There are bright colorful abstracts, pretty cottage decor pillows, pillows for a dorm room or first apartment or home, pillows for decorating a nursery or kid's room, pillows for your beach house or just for your living room! But hurry!

AUTUMN INKBLOT PILLOW

SUMMER OF LOVE - ADVENTURE RED PILLOW

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS PILLOW

EXPLORE EVERY DAY PILLOW

CHIN UP BUTTERCUP PILLOW

INNER PEACE PILLOW

WALK TO THE LIGHT PILLOW

WINTRY MIX PILLOW

READ BOOKS PILLOW

BLOOM PINK PILLOW

Sale on Society6 [ holiday gifts ] hostess gifts [ winter art ]

I think everyone loves mugs! I know I do & keep adding to my mug collection - they bring back good memories of people and places when I use different ones each morning.And they make a perfect hostess gift or holiday gift. Today only (December 10, 2013) all mugs are $6 off on Society6! There are beach mugs, mugs with typography and quotes and just pretty mugs! Stop by!

SUMMER OF LOVE VINTAGE VOLKSWAGEN SERIES

Summer of Love

Adventure Red

Groovy Green

Ocean Blue

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS

I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE MY ONLY SUNSHINE

Holiday FLASH SALE [ home decor ] { fine art prints } [ winter photography ]

This is such a great sale and perfect for Christmas gift giving - finished and ready to hang wall decor - an instant art gallery. Today only take $10 off framed fine art prints in my Society6 shop!. My fine art photography has been featured in HGTV Magazine, Artful Blogging and in the Golden Globes Gift Lounge! Hurry, this sale only lasts one day, December 9, 2013! I have new nature and winter photography in my shop each day!

Many people ask me about where my photographs are taken. They all start someplace deep inside me, like a dream or a wish. In my wanderings when I come upon different places, these pieces of art just seem to unfold from inside... and from something larger. All photographs are taken wandering the wild places of Ohio, Michigan and the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. I hope they touch a place deep inside you.

See my gallery of framed art prints HERE.

INNER PEACE

LIGHTNESS OF BEING

BLOOM PINK

BRANCH

 

 

SEA GLASS

SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW

AUTUMN INKBLOT

BEACH TIMES

AUTUMN APPLES

EAT YOUR VEGETABLES

THE MAGIC OF FOG

THE VIEW FROM THE TOP

BEACON

CUTE COUPLE

THE SOUND OF FOG COMING DOWN