Welcome to Joie de Vie Art & Word.  I’m so happy that you dropped in.  We are a rather small group, composed of one artist, one writer, one critic, one cat and one very supportive husband.  So, that would be: my cat, business partner and toughest critic, Sam; my husband, provider of love, support and encouragement, Rick; and me, artist, writer and lover of life’s little joys, Isabella.

            It is funny how one’s life can change in a flash.  Just 5 months ago I was busily working at an 8-12 hour a day job, with great responsibilities, stresses, personal growth and wonderful people.  I had been there for years and planned to retire from there one day.  And so, I did…  retire… as such… and not exactly on my planned line of time.

            When handed such life changing moments, we are suddenly faced with new choices.  How do we react: shocked, angry, sad, relieved, hurt, confused…?  Trust me, I tried them all.  Then, one day I tried a new one, forgiveness.  It was, as they say, easier said than done.  I had been meditating and contemplating and searching for happiness and searching for a job.  I had spent hours in my studio painting, writing and doing yoga. (Maybe I should call it my healing room, but that’s another blog.)

When I chose the path of forgiveness, life offered me more choices.  Find a job in the field that had supported me so nicely for years, or work as an artist, or work as a writer.  To work for someone else, or to build my own business. To cling to security, or to follow my heart. 

After working through the hurt, anger, fear and sadness, and finding forgiveness, I realized that I did not want to return to my known career path.  I wanted to work in a joyful way.  I wanted to know joy through my work and to share the joy with others.  I wanted to use my art and my writing to support myself.  I wanted to be happy.

Here I am, heart on my sleeve, grinning from ear to ear, offering to share with all who desire, some of life’s little joys.  Please browse the site, it won’t take long.  Then come back often to see what’s new.  I will be adding things as I create them, and sharing some thoughts on life, art and happiness every now and again.

No, I don’t speak French, but, the joy of life, like art, is beautiful in any language.

                                                                                    Isabella

                                                                                    12-08-2017