Local Look: Artist Joyce Guariglia Has a Passion for Painting

Many of us have dreams and hobbies we are passionate about. However, sometimes work and life get in the way of being able to accomplish the goals we have for our interests.

This is the challenge for Upper Dublin resident Joyce Guariglia, who works full time and is a mother of three children, yet still finds time to pursue her dreams as a painter.

By day she is a data police clerk with the Upper Dublin Police Department, and by night, a mother. But when she isn’t working and taking care of her family, she spends her time painting and drawing. She hopes that one day her art will be her full-time career.

“Painting is my vocation. It’s something within my own self that I have a passion for,” Guariglia said.

As a child, Guariglia took lessons in school, but was not formally trained until later when she started to become more serious about her artwork.

As she felt more comfortable and confident in her work, she decided to exhibit and sell her paintings.

Guariglia has been consistently painting since the 1990s.

“I gave up painting for roughly 10 years while my children were very small, as they would try to use the oil paint on the rugs and on themselves,” Guariglia said jokingly. “It was too difficult to raise three little girls and paint at the same time.”

When she began painting again, she experimented with different types of media.

“I started out in oil, acrylics, pen and ink, colored pencils, charcoal and lightly dappled in pastels. I got very interested in watercolors, however, and have (stayed) in that medium for over 10 years,” Guariglia said.

Guariglia also fell in love with pastel painting, using this medium about 90 percent of the time.

“My favorite type of paintings would be landscapes in the snowfall,” Guariglia said. “I also enjoy painting animals in my landscape.”

Guariglia enjoys painting landscapes because they incorporate a lot of color, and said she places emphasis on great composition and color.

In the future, Guariglia would like to become more than a painter. She also wants to teach art, as well.

“Eventually, I’d like to get to a level where I teach and travel to do three- to five-day workshops. That may be one of my goals as soon as I hit the level I feel comfortable with,” Guariglia said.

Guariglia strives for professionalism in her work.

“I hope to be known more professionally and recognized for my talent,” Guariglia said. “But even if that were not to happen, I would still paint for as long as I could.”

To learn more about Guariglia and see her artwork, visit her website.

Know of an Upper Dublin resident, business, or organization doing something interesting? Drop editor Kyle Bagenstose a tip at Kyle@Patch.com.