My name is Joy of JoyousJoyfulJoyness, and I am a California-based artist known for my vibrant animal art. I’m a mother of two wonderful boys and a former lawyer who realized my dream of becoming a professional artist in my early 40s! Completely self-taught, I grew up drawing alongside my mother, who is also an artist. I started my professional career drawing and foiling pet portraits but later taught myself how to paint in color, drawing inspiration from the chaotic charm of cats. My goal as an artist is to spark joy and happiness through my work.
Imagine locking eyes with a cat and feeling an instant connection—whether it’s the judgmental glare of a tabby or the wide-eyed innocence of a kitten. ‘Close Encounters’ brings that magic to life in 25 detailed paintings of cat faces, each brimming with personality.
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Floof
I created this series to highlight the many quirks and moods that make cats endlessly fascinating. From the existential crisis of a wide-eyed ginger cat to the silliness of a black kitty caught mid-mlem, each painting exaggerates their expressions and unique perspectives. Whether you’re a cat parent or simply a fan of lighthearted, playful art, these paintings are sure to bring a smile to your face.
I Sits
Wimdy
Where ‘Close Encounters’ zooms in, ‘Feline Flows and Poses’ zooms out—capturing the full-bodied elegance (and ridiculousness) of cats in motion. This ever-growing collection features cats in their most iconic poses: the ‘loaf,’ the ‘squiggle,’ the ‘flop,’ and, of course, showing off that floofy ‘belleh.’
Eepy
If I Fits
Each piece embraces the natural fluidity of feline movement, celebrating the way cats can be both majestic and utterly unhinged within the span of five seconds. Whether it’s a perfect circle of a curled-up napper or a mid-stretch masterpiece, every pose tells a story—and if you’ve ever lived with a cat, you’ve seen these stories play out in real-time.
Peekaboo
Belleh
Both collections tap into the universal cat experience: the adoration, the confusion, the sheer awe of their weird and wonderful ways. Whether you’re giggling at a ridiculously spherical cat or feeling personally judged by an intense stare, my work is a celebration of the creatures that rule our homes and our hearts.
Meow
Disappoint
Got my kitty at 19... I'm coming scary close to 40. Our relationship has gone from taking care of this cute spazzy fuzzball to her super senior self wondering how she's surpassed me in maturity at least once every day ♥️ yesterday it was because I started poking her bum when she was watching her shows because I wanted attention 👀
I hope these paintings make you smile! So, if you’re a fan of floofs, derps, and everything in between, keep an eye on JoyousJoyfulJoyness’ growing feline empire. After all, who better to immortalize our beloved chaos gremlins than an artist who truly understands their magic?
Which cat pose best represents your daily mood? Let us know in the comments!
Scrungle
Smug
Boop
Melancholy
Cat-Atonic
No Thoughts
He's attempting to download the braincell... Those aren't iris's in his eyes they're loading icons
Loaf
The color in this one seems less about hues than temp ♥️ deep cold everywhere except for the radiantly warm floof
Squiggle
If I Fits And I Sits
🙏 you've drawn the head poking out of the box... But but but... How about when they're trying to pull it in and get squish face 😲🙏♥️
Chonk
Double Chin
Green Eyes
Hunt
Blep
Glow
Golden Eyes
Grin
Little Mlem
Spoopy
Teal Eyes
👀 I just realized... Your signature is exactly my my signature upside-down 👀
Flop
Something in the colours and the style that puts me in mind of Louis Wain, and that's a compliment.
Something in the colours and the style that puts me in mind of Louis Wain, and that's a compliment.