About — Joy Patrice O'Brien

artist statement

My art serves as an outlet and form of self love, allowing myself to take up space through experimentation and discovery. Navigating mental health and identity are underlying themes central to my work.

As a way of processing feelings and emotions, my practice oscillates between the childlike expression of intuitive painting and the powerful narrative of collage. I'm often guided by my materials, altering them as if to reveal recognizable truths of our inner selves. Other times I embrace the curiosity of erratic marks and strokes, the risk of smothering them with obsession, and the courage to build layers upon layers until perfect imperfection emerges—a metaphorical expression of self acceptance and the ability to love ourselves unconditionally.

As a self-taught artist, I'm continuously inspired by the simplicity of tools and materials at my disposal to create meaningful art. Since early on, my work combines a mixture of acrylics, house paint, oil pastels, and collage from my collection of antique photographs, postcards and ephemera.