Joan McWilliams - My Little Studio

Imagination…Individuality…Expression - these are what drive me to create – why I NEED to create.

My parents say that as a young child my imagination was vivid and my creativity, obvious. Mom tells of how she could see it in the way that I played. I would take parts from different “sets” or types of toys and play with them together in unique combinations.

Whereas the thought of being different makes a lot of people uncomfortable, striving to be different – to be an individual – is something I have done all my life ( just ask my little sister!). My art helps me feel unique.

Being quiet and shy for most of my life, the arts have been my primary means of expression, whether it has been through dance, music, theater, crafting, or making art. They have been a natural, comforting presence in my life and I cannot remember or imagine a time without them. And, through making art I am able to put some of the ideas tumbling around in my brain into a tangible form (making room for new ideas, of course!).

You may notice that, just as I played with toys as a child, my artwork is not consistently of a particular style, nor does it all fit into the same category of media or subject matter. I love the variety and experimentation that art affords.

Everything I make is with a special person in mind. Who that person is, though, often remains a mystery until he or she realizes the piece must have been made just for them!

It is my hope that the joy I feel in creating my pieces shines through to you - because that joy is meant to be shared!