Artist Spotlight: Joyce Farkas (Joyce Farkas Fluid Art)
Creativity has a wonderful way of enriching our lives, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and express ourselves in unique ways. For Joyce Farkas, fluid art has become a rewarding creative outlet filled with discovery, experimentation, and artistic enjoyment. Through each new project, she continues to explore the possibilities of color, movement, and design while developing her own artistic style. In this Artist Spotlight, Joyce shares her creative journey, artistic inspirations, and the experiences that have made fluid art such a meaningful part of her life.
Hometown: New Windsor, Maryland
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Can you tell us a bit about your background as an artist? How did you first get started with paint pouring?
I think it all began as a young child – I would beg my parents every time we went shopping for paint-by-numbers and craft kits. I loved to paint and create anything with my hands.
What’s interesting is, thinking back, we would take summer vacations at the beach and I would beg my parents nightly go to a spin-art place on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland.
This particular place used heavy card stock on an electric spinner, and used squeeze bottles of paint which were squeezed onto the paper as it spun – I thought that was the coolest thing ever! Of course boardwalk food was a big hit too and another favorite after spin-painting was getting a slice of pizza! Funny how I have come full circle and spin most of my paintings on a spinner, slinging paint! History repeating itself?!
In my teens, I was more interested in boys and hanging out with my friends, but my mother must have recognized there was some core skill or desire (or something) and hired a local artist to teach me to paint with acrylics in a watercolor style on watercolor paper. That was ok but never captured my heart. Later, in my early twenties, I discovered Folk Art and painted on wood pieces that my husband produced/cut for me. I also painted wooden nutcrackers and music boxes, really bringing them to life through my creative touches with paint and shading, I was told they were exceptionally amazing works.
One day I was sick of the mess and supplies that I wasn’t using anymore, and gave away almost all of them, it just wouldn’t hold my interest or attention. Then about 6 years ago I got into creating Digital Paintings from high-resolution photographs, again, fun, but didn’t capture my heart. All that changed about 4 years ago when I saw Olga Soby and Molly’s Artistry on Facebook and Instagram. I was enthralled with what they could do with paint. Their works intrigued me so much that I followed their pages, which led to other pages, which led to more and more intrigue.
So two years ago I sat down with my husband and showed him the art, seeking his blessing to buy NEW art supplies so that I could begin my journey in fluid art. I haven’t looked back or regretted the investment to build what I hope is my new art career taking flight. I simply love fluid art!
What draws you to the medium of paint pouring? What do you enjoy most about it?
I love that there are so many techniques in fluid art, it’s so multidimensional! If you get bored with one, try another, it never gets old. I love the challenge of finding or creating color pallets which helps every painting tell a story and offer a feast for the eyes.
My absolute favorite thing is watching the paint ebb and flow like the outgoing or incoming tide, watching the chemistry of products to get the lacing and cells forming in the paint, I just find it all so incredibly fascinating.
Describe your creative process when approaching a new paint pouring project. Do you plan your compositions in advance, or do you prefer to let the process guide you?
When I go into my studio, I’ll paint all day long, so my planning process starts the day before. First, I consider what techniques I want to employ, usually a lot of Blooms, with a swipe or two thrown in, and some type of pour.
Next, I’ll think through the color palettes and pull the colors together. In planning these out, I try to set up for several paintings – one after another on painting day, so I might have several color pallets to mix up. Or I might plan for one of my collections where I use the same color palette over and over on several different canvases maybe switching out different tube paints or pigments, which serves to create better continuity of color with different base colors or pillows.
And finally, I’ll spend time planning all the substrates that I want to use, then tape off the edges, which pretty much sets me up for a wonderful day of painting the very next day.
So while I have the base structure for the assembly of the materials and a general idea behind the desired outcome, I start with the technique and then let the paint tell its story. I might control the beginning and ending, but fluid paint has a mind of its own ;D
Are there any specific techniques or methods that you frequently use in your paint pouring work? Could you walk us through one of your favorite techniques?
I am very drawn to the Bloom Technique, it’s my go-to favorite. I even had the honor and privilege to meet and bloom with Shelee Carruthers at PourCon… OMG, what a thrill!
Plus Lisa Marvin, who was teaching swipes, but is the queen bee of the blooms. Sometimes, blooms can be hard and intimidating, but with all the right factors in place, they can be so fun. Finding the right pouring medium, paint consistency, and placement of piggies and tube paints, and then the correct mix of cell activator (the special sauce) – well, it’s what I think will get you hooked on Blooms.
What inspires your artistic style and choice of colors? Are there any particular themes or motifs that recur in your work?
So, my parents owned a second small home at the beach so we were a two-block walk to the ocean, and the bay was maybe 20 feet from our front door. I grew up summers at the ocean which I think tends to make me favor beach colors in many of my palettes.
I later inherited the home as my entire immediate family had passed away, so the beach holds so many fond memories of family.
Can you share a memorable experience or a significant breakthrough moment you’ve had in your paint pouring journey?
The most memorable experience I’ve ever had was attending PourCon in Las Vegas in August 2023. Wow… all my favorite YouTube teachers in one place. I was “fan-girling” all over the place! I remember wishing I had more time each day to take more classes, but not sure how could’ve as it filled my schedule with 3 classes a day.
The PourCon was such a unique and special experience, and I made friends with a few of the attendees that I will treasure forever. This August I will be attending the Fluid Art Boutique in Washington, DC where I hope to learn and paint with YouTubers that I didn’t have the opportunity to paint with last August. I also hope some of my newfound Facebook friends and PourCon friends will consider coming, I think it’s going to be a blast!
As for a breakthrough, I’d have to say the moment that I finally found the right combination of products for the right pouring medium for my region of the US. I purchased so many different products based on advice from all the YouTubers. Then, through trial and failure, I found what worked best for me and I could see a difference in the results.
How do you overcome creative blocks or challenges when working on a project?
Most of the time I just need a break or diversion. My husband and I love to go Glamping… we’re thankful/grateful to have a pretty well-appointed 5th-wheel RV with all the creature comforts of home, so a weekend away with my hubby and best friend will clear my head and get me excited to get back into the studio.
Other times, I find that maybe I just need some new inspiration. My “go-to” thing is my Color Cube palette cards – I invested in the entire set which is 500+ cards of color palette “inspiration in a box” and thumbing through those will always get the creative juices flowing!
Do you have any favorite tools or materials that you always keep in your paint pouring arsenal? What are they, and why do you love them?
Well, I’d have to say my “This Little Piggy Pigments” is my “go-to” because of the consistent performance. I try to work them into every painting, I love them so much. I even have a special rack for them to “live in”… it’s a thing of beauty hanging in my studio. Oh, and I own every single “Piggy Pigment” ever made and can’t wait for the new releases to show up on my doorstep! The shimmer and depth of color – it just makes me so happy adding such beauty to my art.
I also love all my Palette Knives… I have a vast collection in all shapes and sizes, and I use them all the time.
How do you know when a paint pouring piece is finished? What criteria do you use to evaluate your work?
If I’m not smiling about the piece, I’m not done – a painting is done when it makes me smile and I feel good about the composition. Also, it’s important to make sure I’ve gotten enough paint off so that the piece dries properly without creating ruts. But what bothers me the most is if my pillow is showing through… it’s my biggest pet peeve and I have wrecked many blooms because the pillow is glaring at me!
What advice would you give to aspiring paint pouring artists who are just starting out?
Never give up, and, try hard to find the best products that will work for you and where you live. If you’re in a humid climate, your paints will react differently than someone from a cold dry climate. I found the wonderful Karen from Waterfall Acrylics who’s in the same region as me, so I use her recipe to inspire the combinations I use and I’m thrilled with the results.
Are there any upcoming projects, exhibitions, or collaborations that you’re excited about and would like to share with our readers?
So I have spent the past week working on my brand-new website. My husband and best friend are “the tech side” of my business and have put in many hours as well. It’s a work in progress, but I’m extremely happy with it. June 1st I have my very first show as a fluid artist called “Art In The Park” in Westminster, Maryland. It’s an outdoor festival, rain or shine, so I’m praying for good weather.
You will also find me participating in the monthly challenges with “Kym’s Kreations” on Facebook where all participants submit a technique, base color, and dominant color. Kym then spins the wheel to see what the winning technique and colors are. Anyone wishing to participate has the month to create and record their paintings. Last month was an “Open-cup Pour” and I have to admit I have been totally obsessed with the open-cup pour technique… thanks Kym ;D
Lastly, where can we find more of your work or connect with you online?
www.JoyceFarkasFluidArt.com, as well as Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Etsy, and my blog (a work in progress) on WordPress 😀
Finding Joy Through Creativity
Joyce Farkas’ artistic journey is a beautiful reminder that creativity is about more than making art—it’s about enjoying the process, embracing new experiences, and continuing to learn along the way. Her enthusiasm for fluid art and her willingness to explore new possibilities shine through in both her work and her story. As she continues to create, experiment, and grow as an artist, her passion serves as an inspiration to others who are pursuing their own creative paths. We look forward to seeing what Joyce creates next and following her continuing artistic journey.
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