Joy Clifton

Joy Clifton is a visual artist, who captures the fluidity of the ocean realm focusing on the movement of water, abstraction of light and exploring the sea creatures that inhabit this beautiful world. Having spent many years living by the ocean and travelling the world she draws on this inspiration. In her work there is an echo of conservation and she addresses current issues that are affecting the natural world. Joy works primarily in watercolour and acrylics depending on the subject matter.

‘I experiment with the ever changing state of the ocean, the ebb and flow of the tide, the intense and subtle colours the weather creates on and through the water. I am passionate about marine life and I use my illustration skills to represent them in my artwork. I use different mediums like watercolour, gouache and acrylics mixed with various textures to keep my work fresh. I experiment with different viewpoints of below the surface, in the curl of the wav, aerial and diving into the underwater world.’

Originally from rural Warwickshire where her parents nurtured her love for Art and the nature world. She completed her degree in Illustration at University of Wales, Trinity St David in Swansea followed by further studies in Art Education at University Wales Institute Cardiff. After working as an Art & Design Teacher for many years she has now made the switch to working as a full time visual artist. Now based in London where she lives with her husband and their two young boys.

Joy is a competent water sports enthusiast mainly focusing on bodyboarding, surfing and scuba diving. She is a qualified PADI Scuba Diving Instructor and has dived and surfed in many different locations around the world.