About Joy Saunders
- Through 2024, I decided to officially introduce my work to the public so organised a pop-up exhibition in Cardiff Morgan's Arcade for two weeks, Cynon Valley Museum for a month and Frogmore Street Gallery in Abergavenny for a month.
- Following my Cardiff exhibition, invited to take part in the Welsh National Contemporary Artists Exhibition at Ardent Gallery in Brecon.
- Continuing from the Abergavenny exhibition, invited to join the Black Mountain Circle in Frogmore Street Gallery, an established and respected cooperative of artists and craftspeople.
- To date exhibited/exhibiting in fourteen galleries throughout Wales and England.
- February 2026 chosen to paint a commission for the Welsh Assembly, via RCT to create a commemorative painting celebrating the ‘Past, Present and Future’ of Wales. Titled ‘Tŷ Unnos’, the work was officially unveiled by Huw Irranca-Davies, the then Deputy First Minister and will be kept in the Welsh Painting Archives.
- May 2026 voted the Winner of the ‘Prestigious Mixed Media Welsh Artist Award 2026/2027’.
Style
My paintings are easily recognisable and unique.
I deliberately limit my colour palette, using muted tones and precise palette-knife techniques to apply the paint. Texture is built through layering and scraping back the surface. Stonework on buildings and walls is painted 'stone by stone' with a palette knife.
I aim for a tight composition, often omitting certain details while using fine brushwork to capture others in greater depth. The result is a clean, uncluttered image that still conveys the essence of the scenes I want to portray.
Inspiration
Influenced by Kyffin Williams.
I paint Welsh and Celtic landscapes, focusing on historic rural buildings and remote villages. Inspired by a deep passion for heritage, my work captures a nostalgic spirit and celebrates the richness and diversity of our past. Through these scenes, I seek to express the essence of Wales.
Each painting is accompanied by a narrative that explores the history of the buildings and reflects how communities once lived before industry reshaped the landscape. Together, the paintings and stories help preserve the memory of these long-forgotten times.