Joyce Thomas

Otherwise known as MOM to many, has a creative side. She loves wild color combinations and enjoys a challenge. Joyce has been married to Fred Thomas for 45 years, they have three grown children, and 7 grandchildren. No great grandchildren yet, thank goodness. Joyce is an artist who enjoys expressing herself through textiles. I have always had a love for arts and being creative.

There was always a desire to learn to paint and I was able to learn how to do that by attending Bob Ross classes. I eventually became a Certified Bob Ross instructor in landscapes in 1991 and florals in 1994. That oil painting training taught me color, composition, and perspective and also gave me confidence to explore other genres.

In 2003 I discovered Encaustic. It is an art form that uses wax as the medium and heat as the “solvent”. I use a regular household flat iron and a heat gun as my "brushes". I can create artwork that is recognizable in nature and artwork that is abstract which allows the viewer to create their own world.

You will be able to view my artwork on this website.

Then in 2006 I was in a fabric store for the first time in many years. I saw fabric that reminded me of my encaustic. It was batiks. The fabric was used in a bargello quilt. Well, needless to say I knew I would have to explore the new quilting ideas. I knew how to sew. I had made clothes for myself, my two daughters, son and my husband. After taking a few classes I was hooked. I am happy to say my two daughters have inherited my creative side. They both quilt along with me.

Artist’s Statement
I feel art should evoke an emotion in us. Usually when an untrained eye sees a piece of artwork they either like it or dislike it, but they don’t know why. It’s because it makes you “feel” something. My encaustic, oil, and quilts whether it’s abstract or realistic, does just that.
 
 
Deanna Breeding

I love working with my hands and creating personal items for each individual. I am a mother of two girls. I have been married to my husband for 20 years, and we reside in Garland TX. I learned how to sew by watching my mom. She gave me the skills and allowed me to make mistake as to learn from them.

I took a machine quilting class in 2007 at my local quilt shop and then the ideas began to flow from my head to my machine.

From mother to daughter my experience grows, I figure one day my daughters will look back at the experience that I gave them, and relish in it as I do with my mother.