Joyce Backus - multi-media artist

Artist Statement

I paint pastel and oil pastel landscapes with rich color. I enjoy Plein Air painting with our local artists group.

I use watercolor and mixed media on vintage and recycled glass forms to create unique luminaries.

I create a variety of jewelry styles, using glass, leather and vintage jewelry pieces.

Artistic Process

paint in Plein Air and photograph landscape reference. In my studio, I use my on-site sketches and references to create larger paintings. Generally, draw in pastel and translate these 9"x12" paintings to a larger surface. I am experimenting with new surfaces and oil pastel on canvas. I love the tactile element of pastels and enjoy the act of textural drawing. I strife to keep some on that immediacy of drawing in the final oil paintings.

My glass luminaries are inspired by the glass forms I hunt for in antiques and thrift shops, this is one of my favorite parts of creating these pieces! The glass sugggests an idea that I paint into various translucent papers and combine various fibers of thread, cloth and other natural materials. These are very experimental. I find making these luminaries a great balance to my process of the planned stages of paintings.

My Jewelry is similar in that I use a variety of found and painted elements, glass, leather, vintage jewelry pieces that allow me a great deal of experimentation.

©2026 Joyce Backus. All rights reserved. Duplication is not allowed without permission.