Surprising Subjects

by | Jan 22, 2012 | Field Trip

These photos taken at my daughter’s last evening, show off her husband’s latest handiwork/project and the family’s newest additions. I’m thinking, cute coop and new subjects! And EGGS, of course.

Chickens/hens were among the first images I created after being introduced into art licensing several years ago. Although intending to, I never got around to further exploration of the popular poultry since. This offers the perfect time and opportunity to re-visit this fun feathery focus.

Atlanta Agenda

by | Jan 17, 2012 | Art News

Renew, Refresh & Reflect – My morning agenda, Monday following Atlanta’s International Gift Market.

A strawberry smoothie, muffin & souvenir jam while I absorb the weekend events.

And browse through complimentary catalogs collected from strategic meetings – Gain insight on products, trends, colors, etc.

Enjoy the free product prizes, signed by artist (friends) colleagues. The take courage journal offers a well timed theme.

And recall the artist meet up at the Westin. Very fun.

Last but not least – A highly recommended Printer

Since I had a little trouble uploading art to the new iPad prior to the show, I opted to bring hard color copies of my art for client viewing. I had several compliments from art directors and artists on the beautiful printing.

A big THANK YOU to Jason

at World Press Printing, Fenton, MO. His expertise and recommendations are impeccable!

Hi Resolution – A New Years Studio Meet & Greet

by | Jan 5, 2012 | Art News, Studio

As a prelude to the 2012 Atlanta (Winter) Gift Market and a creative new year, a group of artist friends and I invite you to A New Years Studio Meet & Greet blog hop. If creativity is your muse then you will enjoy seeing these unique artist‘s inspiring work and an introduction to their creative digs. Twelve artists in all will be sharing their work space, medium, inspiration and new collections of work.


Comfort & ‘Joy Studio’
J. Wecker Frisch


Growing up, I remember my mom was always busy ‘upstairs,’ taking care of the numerous tasks that make a home clean and run efficiently. Meanwhile, ‘downstairs,’ all the fun was happening, in my dad’s home art studio! Both of my parent’s talents and skills combined, made it seem as though, everything imaginable, was right there for the making. Somewhere, throughout the family home, one could find it all. All of the good stuff that is, which goes into… well.. making stuff!
It was a dream and one that I seem to have carried on in my own home studio. Whatever is required to construct or create any variety of arts or crafts, I always seem to have, or a similar item that would work as well. That fact no longer amazes my daughters and in fact, they often count on it. It is the first place they check to find a particular needful or unique item that would be perfect to complete their own project.


I’m sure that my ample supply system, although sometimes bulging at the seams, is not so very different than my artist friend colleagues. I believe we’re all quite content to be surrounded with just enough (lots) interesting yet inspiring, stuff. The more (stuff), the merrier although, I do not like admitting it as some might consider my studio to be stuffed with stuff!
Besides all that was acquired on my own through the years, I also surrounded myself with my dad’s tools of the trade, which happen to be, the heart of my studio. His small first drawing table for instance, (pictured above, complete with a 1950s pencil sharpener still firmly attached) is my favorite place to seriously sketch as I begin each new line. There is something poignantly personal to create not only using all that my dad taught me about art, but to be drawing, sculpting or painting while using the tools he also held as he skillfully created.


Then of course there’s the fabric! A large fabric wall provides the color source in my work space. The two holiday lines, “Creepers Peepers” and “Bakers Dozen” (pictured above) are new for 2012. Check back here for availability.

The joy of working with fabric design and quilters has also brought me home – to my sewing roots. The sewing skills in our family, was all mom. And the baking. And the home making. And the nurturing, etc. And the disciplined structure . . . which continues to elude me as a life style, somewhat. So, I remain an aspiring artist who is just on the cusp of organized. Maybe THIS year!


Currently I’m finishing up on a fabric collection that brings me full circle so to speak, and incidentally has come about (from a personal perspective) in God’s perfect time. It combines the art with the sewing and a sprinkling of Spiritual seeds seeking to take root, in your fabric stash perhaps.


So, with my new iPad portfolio in hand, wide eyed enthusiasm in it’s proper place, I’m heading out again, to share with the world, the Tidings of Great Joy.


Ahead for 2012 – Wishing you all of the comfort, and joy in the coming year that the Creator through creating, has brought to me.
To learn more about this license or to see additional studio shots visit us at – TidingsOfGreatJoy.com

To continue on the hop:

A New Year

by | Jan 1, 2012 | Personal Touch, Spiritual

In anticipation of the new year, I found myself looking back again, to this week one year ago. I had big plans for the joy studio and determined goals that I intended to accomplish in 2011.  Quickly, as life shows us sometimes, it became apparent that our year would be personally, a difficult one, not planned, unfathomable. So, for the last few days, happy new year, would not easily roll off my tongue but rather, caused me to pause and ponder the coming months.

Our new year’s eve was an enjoyable one. It was spent with family, laughing and playing games. We rang in the new year by rattling pots and pans on the porch as distant fireworks exploded in the clear starry sky. The original plans to spend it around a campfire were thwarted by an increasingly (a little too) breezy night. Yes, 2012 is blowing in with a vengeance on extremely high winds that are predicted today.

New Year wishes, no, not quite. However, my prayer for you, is that your 2012 be filled with ‘Joy – gladness of heart’ as I refer to in my about page and that your joy (and mine) overflows!

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” – John 15:11

O Tannenbaum

by | Dec 18, 2011 | Home Arts, Personal Touch

Looking back, it seems I made several posts on Christmas trees, Christmas tree Art, Christmas Tree fences  and Christmas tree decorations last year. Surprisingly, this year we went back to nature. A real tree!

About three weeks ago, I heard the roar of the tree trimmer’s grinding machines coming up the hill. I panicked and then started making calls and sending e-mails letting Ameren UE know that I did not wish to have my trees trimmed. I argued that they were not yet a threat to the above ground power lines in the likely hood of an ice storm. They did not agree . . .

Here is the last one of three White Pines that I planted twenty two years ago just before it got the axe, rather the chainsaw.

The good news – The topped towering pine, became our Christmas tree this year. Not your typical winter evergreen but, it’s tall (aprox 12′-14′), it’s real and it is perfect for our not so typical Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

“O Tannenbaum“, or, in its English version, “O Christmas Tree“, is a Christmas Carol of German origin.

A Tannenbaum is a fir tree (German: die Tanne) or Christmas Tree (der Weihnachtsbaum). Its evergreen qualities have long inspired musicians to write “Tannenbaum” songs in German.

The best known version was written in 1824 by the Leipzig organist, teacher and composer Ernst Anschütz. The melody is an old folk tune (Lauriger Horatius). The first known “Tannenbaum” song lyrics date back to 1550. A similar 1615 song by Melchior Franck (1573–1639) begins:

Ach Tannenbaum, ach Tannenbaum, du bist ein edler Zweig! Du grünest uns den Winter, die liebe Sommerzeit.

Blog Party Winner

by | Dec 18, 2011 | Quilting & Fabric

What a week of blogging fun! 209 comments and I enjoyed ready every one of them. We all have very strong ideas about how we take our morning cup of Joe or, how we don’t. Very fun reading, thanks to everyone for sharing your favorite coffee combos.

 It’s time to announce Joy Studio’s, ‘Cup of (Daily Grind) Quarters, ‘ Blog Hop Party giveaway winner,

JANSIE! You are the winner! Congrats!

The project instructions pictured here can be found at Quilting Treasures.

Quilter’s Blog Hop!

by | Dec 9, 2011 | Quilting & Fabric

It’s a Party! A ‘Quilters Blog Hop Party,’ that is. Complete with give-aways, of course. Quilting Gallery is hosting the Blog Hop Party in celebration of their 4th Birthday so, c’mon & join in the fun.

Our ‘Joy Studio’ blog hop party giveaway features a ‘Cup Full of Quarters’ (fat quarters) from my new fabric line, “Daily Grind.” These colorful quarters will make a perfect coordinating mug rug or give as a gift. To enter just post a comment about how you like your coffee best. If you’re not a coffee lover, that’s OK, just let me know that too. Daily Grind is presented by Quilting Treasures & can be found now, exclusively in quilt shops.

The winner will be drawn and announced following the Blog Party, concluding on

December 17th

For further Quilter’s Blog Hoping Fun & details:

QUILTING GALLERY

Update 12/13/11 pm:

For a second chance to win, comment ‘liked’ and click on ‘Like This’ at Tidings of Great Joy, LLC  – Facebook


Collecting Color

by | Nov 14, 2011 | Field Trip, Home Arts

A few weeks ago I began to collect the colorful leaves that were beginning to appear everywhere. I’ve never been able to resist picking up every interestingly patterned, colored or sized, etc., leaf that was floating around. This year I found them to be especially inviting and comforting as well.  Such a simple treat to see and enjoy on a brisk walk. Since we live in a heavily wooded area, there was a never ending supply. I am remembering now that I held on to all that I bothered to bend down and retrieve.  Although temporarily forgotten about, evidently I stashed several stacks underneath various items around the house and studio. I’m just now discovering their hiding places. They will be enjoyable to paint.

Hungry Animal Alphabet

by | Oct 22, 2011 | Art News, Quilting & Fabric

Quiltmaker Magazine Nov/Dec 2011

It’s true, the Hungry Animals are back! Quilting Treasures will be showing the line to quilt shop owners next week (booths 1056 – 1063) at the International Quilt Market in Houston. The classic collection of fabrics will deliver to shops in January. So, be sure to keep an eye out for this popular panel set in bright, bold reds and the other refreshed coordinates.

E-Animal Alphabet Games Collection