life tag Archives - Tiffany Joy - For The Joy Of Tiff

July 2025: A Review Of My Wonderful Art Life

by tiffanyLife, other updates August 3, 2025July 23, 2025No Comments

I have been busy with my art business lately, which is why I’m able to give you a July 2025 art life update. The focus has mostly been ramping up sharing my art work and poetry readings, but I am starting to create more things. It seems like I’m always working on finding a better balance between creating and sharing. Doing batch work has been helpful. Another thing that has been helpful is having a set schedule when I can work on the business stuff and another time for the creativity. I’m not just smushing everything together.

Writings

July brought some fun poetry reading videos that I posted on my writing Instagram. I am also starting to share excerpts from Garden of Poems on this site.

Along with sharing my older writings, I am working on some new stuff. I am restarting editing my next poetry book. Also, I am working on a few new narratives. The narratives are still in the brainstorming and figuring out characters stages. You should be hearing more about them as I am starting to share regular updates.

Painting

In the coming months you will be seeing more blog posts about my paintings. I have been sharing a lot on my painting Instagram account.

Here are a few examples of the paintings I’ve been doing and posting.

Digital Art

I’m starting to do more digital art again. However, I’ve been posting mostly things I’ve done in the past. This is because my digital art has it’s new own Instagram account. This way it doesn’t get lost among the paintings.

Photography

Finally, I’m starting to do more photography and share my photos with the world. It is more of a hobby level rather than something I’m focused on making an income or community with. My photography does have it’s own page now and it’s own Instagram account. You should take a look at both.

tree near beach with watermark Tiffany Joy's Photography #2

Let me know (via comments) if there is other information you want to stay up to date with and I’ll put it in my next update. Also, let me know (via comments) if you want this in a newsletter format instead. For now that’s all the July 2025 art life updates that I have for you.

Goes the Clock: A Simple Poetry Excerpt From Garden Of Poems

by tiffanyGarden Of Poems, Poetry, Poetry Portfolio July 30, 2025July 23, 2025No Comments

Tick tock goes the clock
 as the waves rolls in time may fly
 or time may stop 
the waves crashes on the shore either way.
Tick tock goes the clock
 as the sun shines on
 time may fly 
or time may stop
 the sun will heat the sand either way.
Tick tock goes the clock
 it's far far away
 time may fly
 or time may stop 
we won't pay attention either way.

I have a few things for you if you want to read or learn more about me or this book. First I do have a page dedicated to all things Garden of Poems. I also have my wonderful portfolio of poetry, a Youtube playlist for poetry readings, and you can of course purchase the book on Amazon. You can also follow my writing journey on Instagram.

Let’s Look At My Artistic Background

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 23, 2021January 7, 2021No Comments

First don’t I look all put together and professional in this picture.

Now, as we start the new year, here is a reminder of where I’ve been and the background to my creativity. If I was all put together, this would have been the first week of 2021. At least in the first month.

My Artistic Background.

I am super grateful for my mom and her support of my creativity. Growing up, she really nurtured my creative side. She enrolled me in dance when I was 5 and it seems like my creativity snowballed from there. I started musical theater when I was 10 and wrote endless narratives around that time too.

After high school, I went to college for Theater. I graduated from college in 2009 with a degree in Theater and Dance with a concentration in Acting and Directing. All throughout that time I wrote, drew, and painted. However, after college, I explored different career options. I stayed creative in my free time, while I had my survival jobs. Those jobs include job coaching for developmentally-delayed adults, 3 roles in web security, and a lead salad bar prepper. I love how random my jobs have been, but nothing seemed to fit, because nothing was creative enough.

Writing and art have always been my first passion and in 2018 I left my salary job to pursue my art business more. After a year and a few months in a kitchen job, I devoted most of my time to my art business. I became full time with my art in 2020. I do still love my part-time job as a church admin, but my art business takes up most of my time.

It is true this art business of mine has morphed and changed over the years. My energy with being creative has ebbed and flowed over the years, but I am delighted that I can spend more time creating. This past year really taught me who I was and what art means to me. I believe writing, painting, drawing, and helping others is what I am made to do.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

All My Wonderful Forms Of Creativity

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 16, 2021January 15, 2021No Comments

Having multiple creative outlets is a balancing act. If you didn’t know I write, paint, draw digitally, and do other things when I have time. Some days and weeks I feel put together with everything well balanced. Those weeks I have planned well and no outside forces have negatively affected my schedule. More often than not I am in a good habit of resting and recharging. Those weeks are great.

Other weeks are a bit of a different story. It can seem one area or another starts slipping from my grasp. It’s like my plate gets bumped and jumbled up. Things don’t seem to fit into place those weeks.

Then they are weeks where I don’t know what’s going on and just hanging on. I feel a bit crazy those weeks. It’s like I’m on a rollercoaster in the dark and just have to do what I can until I can reset my focus.

I would not trade all the crazy, stressful, or upside down weeks for anything though. Being creative is who I am. Each aspect of my creativity reflects a need of mine, and each outlet helps me differently. Writing poetry helps me explore emotions that I need to understand. Painting helps me express emotions that I need to express and feel, but may not need to put words to. Telling stories, whether they are fiction or non-fiction, helps me share truths and entertain at least myself. Drawing and working with clay or paper mache helps me think through things.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

I want to love all

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 9, 2021January 6, 2021No Comments

It doesn’t matter who you are or who you love; I want to love all. What that means is that even if I don’t agree with one aspect of your life, I will treat you how I want you to treat me and come alongside you to support you. It doesn’t matter if you follow different rules in your life or act differently than me. You are human and deserve my respect and love. We each have a different path to walk and we each need love and support on that walk.

Yes, I believe in the God of the Bible and try to imitate Jesus as much as I can. That is partly why I want to let you know that I will love you no matter who you are. Jesus loved those that society said he shouldn’t and showed kindness and respect to those forgotten or rejected by most.

Loving God helps me love others, and the second greatest commandment is “love your neighbor.” To me, everyone on this planet is my neighbor, so I’ll love everyone on this planet if they let me. It is as simple as showing others the respect and kindness that you want them to show to you, even if they are not acting the same way. Sometimes love is understanding that someone’s trauma or brokenness is preventing them from loving. That doesn’t mean you should stop loving.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

3 Fun Facts About Me

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings January 2, 2021December 17, 2020No Comments

You may have noticed that about once a week I post somewhat random posts to this account. I call them my wildcard posts. I mean them to be fun insights to who I am. This week is no different. I want to pull back the curtain, so to speak, and show you a little more of me. However, this is going to be more direct.

I am simply going to share 3 facts about myself that you may not know.

I have been in 25 musicals and 4 straight plays.
About 11 years ago I became a Christian.
I have 7 siblings

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Reflection on a weird year

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings December 31, 2020December 21, 2020No Comments

As the year ends, I like to reflect on what I’ve learned this year. We can all agree that 2020 has been a unique and challenging year.

If I knew a fraction of what was to come in this year, I may have thought differently about starting my art business in January. Of course, I am happy that I have worked more towards my ideal life in big ways.

I keep forgetting how much I’ve done this year and the good that this year brought me. I have been focusing on the craziness that has been happening and pulling me done.

This year I’ve published my first book (To Love) and really started promoting my poetry along with my visual art. I’ve experimented with different styles in digital art and different things to post on social media. Also, I’ve fine-tuned the focus on my art business and creative projects. This year has really been a year of growth for me in a lot of areas in my life. I am farther ahead in my art business. I am in a better mental health state since I’ve had so much time to journal and I have spent a lot more regular time with God too. Even with all the struggles, worries, and challenges this year, it has been a good year.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

My Wonderful New Tattoo And Tool

by tiffanyLife, other updates December 26, 2020November 18, 2020No Comments

One of my sisters has a tattoo machine and has tattooed herself a few times with it. She isn’t looking to change careers; she is happy being a nurse. The machine was her husband’s before he passed last year. The first tattoos she gave herself was ones that reminded her of him.

Well, in August I went on a vacation with my family. In between the actual vacation and my flight, I stayed at her house. This was so she could tattoo me. The original idea was a simple tree on the inside of my upper arm. It would be a remembrance tattoo for my brother who passed last year. (Yes, there were multiple deaths in my family in August 2019.) As we discussed it she mentioned that it would be the first tattoo she gave someone else. It was quickly decided we would start with an easier and less painful tattoo.

Now, it wasn’t like I just came up with my new tattoo on the vacation. I have a list of tattoos I want to get. My “love boldly” tattoo was just going to be after Chris’s tree. However, things didn’t work out that way and I got “love boldly” before the tree.

When I first painted this symbol something clicked, as though my eyes opened in a new way. This is what I need to remind myself daily. This is what I need to focus on. I need to love boldly. For me, that means to love without fear or holding back. Jesus loved the world boldly and I should try to imitate Jesus, right?

My “love boldly” symbol gives me permission in a way to free myself from myself and just love those around me. It reminds me that sometimes I need to get out of my own way and just help people or love them in whatever way they need it. Now it’s on my arm, so I guess I have to make sure I’m always boldly loving those around me. What a wonderful tool.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

A Quick Merry Christmas Post

by tiffanyLife, random ramblings December 25, 2020December 21, 2020No Comments

Merry Christmas, everyone!

I am so thankful for the reason for this holiday and the traditions I have been able to maintain. There are so much love and gratitude in my heart and in my life. I can really see it and connect with it around Christmas time, which makes me so happy.

I hope that you can find things to cherish and remember God’s love for you this Christmas. Have a merry and bright holiday.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. I have been keeping my Instagram account pretty updated with Christmas cheer lately. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Simply Sharing Gratitude

by tiffanyLife, other updates December 19, 2020November 18, 2020No Comments

I’m a big believer that having a grateful attitude in life will help you have a more positive life. When you practice being grateful, you look for things you can be grateful for. This makes you look at and for the good in your life. Even if the only thing you can see at first is the fact that you are alive, that is a wonderful start.

If you follow me on social media or here you know that a few weeks ago I posted a list of journaling prompts I go through almost every day. One of those prompts was to list things I’m grateful for. Some days they are profound and deep. Other days I list things like coffee, tea, pens, and my bed. Those are still good things that I am thankful to have, and that is really what it’s all about.

Now I want to share with you a few things I am currently grateful for as examples and also to simply share my gratitude with others.

I am currently grateful for:

Connections I’ve been on social media and online.
My Church.
Those I call family and friends.
My ability to express myself.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”