To our OPA community, we sadly announce the passing of one of the all-time greats, Master Signature artist Joyce Pike. Growing up in California, Joyce always knew she was destined to be an artist. She began her formal art studies with Sergei Bongart at the age of twenty-three, and later continued with Viona Ann Kendall and Howard Reed. With hard work and perseverance, she earned her spot as one of the country’s premier artists, widely recognized for her beautiful impressionist floral still lifes and landscapes. When OPA created the Master Signature designation in 1997, Joyce was one of only 3 women to receive this prestigious honor, proving that women could be just as successful as their male counterparts in what was then considered a male-led industry.
A natural teacher, Joyce became a sought-after educator who inspired several generations of art students over her 50+ years of teaching. She was a regular instructor at the prestigious Scottsdale Artists’ School and taught for many years at the Art League of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Valley College. Joyce authored several how-to-paint books through Northlight Publishing and went on to produce over forty-five one-hour painting videos.
In 2012, Joyce received OPA’s highest honor, the Golden Brush Award, given to an outstanding member who embodies the spirit of volunteerism and generously gives of his/her time and expertise for the betterment of the organization. As one of OPA’s biggest fans, Joyce spent countless hours working on behalf of OPA. For many years, Joyce wrote regularly for OPA’s Brushstrokes newsletter. Later, she would Co-Chair OPA’s Master Signature Advisory Committee with Zhiwei Tu OPAM. Over the course of her involvement with OPA, she would be called on numerous times to jury, exhibit, locate potential galleries, demonstrate, or participate in the organization’s educational programs. More importantly, Joyce served as a sounding board for hundreds of OPA artists, providing them with sage advice, inspiration, and encouragement.
Over and above everything, Joyce was all about faith, family, and friends. She felt enormously blessed to have lived such a wonderful and full life. With her family by her side, Joyce spent her final weeks doing what she loved most, painting. As if on cue, Joyce put the final touches on her last painting and passed away peacefully in the days to follow, surrounded by loved ones.
Joyce will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on for many years to come.
Zhiwei Tu OPAM
I was very sorry to hear that OPA Master Joyce Pike recently passed away. Joyce was an exceptional artist who spent many years volunteering her time and expertise to Oil Painters of America. In the early 90’s, she called many people encouraging them to join the organization. She worked tirelessly spending hours helping OPA Founder Shirl Smithson build OPA into one of today’s leading art organizations in North America. For 20 years, Joyce served as the Chair of the Master Signature Advisory Committee. In 2007 she asked me to serve as the Co-Chair of the Master Signature Advisory Committee, but she did the most work to let me have more time to create art.
More importantly, Joyce was a dear friend always looking out for my best interests. She visited my studio many times and offered me praise and encouragement to continue my painting and to write many articles on my art. She always said that I was her Chinese son and treated me like a son.
Thank you so much Joyce – we will miss you forever!
Scott Royston OPAM
Words cannot describe what a beautiful lady Joyce was to not only me but to the art community. Her loss will never be forgotten. Not only was she a friend and a mentor but also a sister in Christ. She gave every bit of her gifts to glorify God. She’s shared her knowledge freely to encourage others to grow in their careers as artists and I am grateful to be one of those people. The last call that I received from Joyce was basically telling me goodbye. She knew she was going to be with the Lord very soon and to this day it just brings tears to my eyes when I think about that phone call. It hit me even harder than the call that I got telling me that she had passed. But her spirit and her memory will always live on and I will always remember her with every painting I do. Joyce, if you can hear my voice, I want you to know that I love you and could you just ask the Lord to save a small place for me in heaven as I look forward to seeing you again soon. Grace.
Myles Herman
Approximately a week or so before Joyce passed, she called to say goodbye. She was almost in a celebratory mood since she was finally going to go be with GOD. She was hoping for this for some time. In her typical helpful style (a little tongue in cheek) she stated when I get there, “I’m going to teach God to paint”. She seemed to be truly looking forward to that experience. She passed on all of her love and gratitude to Cilia (my wife) and I, as well as all who have touched her life.
Carole Mayne says
I am grateful for being on the planet when Joyce was! Her cheerful instructions were woven throughout my painting career. What a smile that showed in all her creations! Blessings and love to her. 🙏🏻💗🙏🏻
Linda Glover Gooch says
I’ve thought about Joyce over the years and mentioned her many times in my workshops. It was around 1987 when I took a workshop with Joyce in Santa Fe New Mexico. At that workshop I had one of my biggest Ah-ha moments of my painting career. What I leaned from Joyce that week actually was the major influenced leading me, giving me my pathway to building my paintings. I watch Joyce build one single rose from a thin wash of nothing, just a big dark red shape. She created the most beautiful rose that day and from then on I started developing my own paintings with that thought in mind. It’s stayed with me all these years and now every time I build a cloud, it is done in the same fashion. I wipe away and enjoy the process, just as she created her rose. I was and am still grateful for her generous teaching, her books and all that she added to the art world and all of us Artist.
Rick Rotante says
I never knew Ms. Pike. But as an artist it is necessary to comment and remember every artist who made a contribution and has passed. Many of us remember masters of old but rarely mention those who have had an affected on us in the century we currently live. There are many who make art but few who make a strong impact on the world of art and the people who remain behind and continue to grow and advance art and its importance in living a better and more fulfilled life. The lose of any artist is a lose to our community, to art and the world.
Those whose lives you touched and affected will remember. RIP.
Cheridah Ann Spaulding says
I first met Joyce at her solo show at the Prisim Gallery in Gardnerville, NV, where we immediately felt we were kindred spirits in the Lord as she showed me around. I again I enjoyed her company, last year, at the Open House of the gallery where my work is shown: East Fork Gallery, Gardnerville, NV. I wanted to invite her to my first solo show at the Museum and Historical Society of Gardnerville, NV, in August, but ran out of time. I shall miss my sister-in-Christ as anyone who just met or knew her would. I’m just 2 years younger than her and hope to have some more days to paint and exhibit my work. What an encouragement she was and is to us painters. What a testimony she gave by knowing she would go to be with the Lord and calling friends to say ‘goodbye’. See you when it’s my time next, Joyce. Love you.
Malcolm Crosland says
A little over two years ago, having retired from a nearly 40 year practice of architecture, I made a decision to begin a second carer in professional fine art. One of the greatest surprises of my life was picking up the phone with Joyce Pike on the line and having her offer to become a mentor. To this day (I have an idea) but don’t know exactly how that happened. Communication was a bit of a challenge since she didn’t use a computer, but Joyce was, nevertheless, instrumental in providing priceless advice and direction. What a blessing to have known this great Christian lady artist all too briefly.
joyce l snyder says
This tribute is one everyone would hope for. Love of God, friends and communities telling of her specialness. I wish I could have met her
Juli Bees says
My mother, Bette Bees, and Joyce were good friends when we lived in the San Fernando Valley in the 60’s/early 70’s. I have many memories going back to as a toddler attending an art show of Joyce’s work, watching her paint 2 portraits of my mother, sitting for her while she did a charcoal drawing of me at their cabin in the desert. I remember her ever present smile and bubbly personality. Mom had a nice collection of Joyce’s beautiful still life paintings that my sister and I inherited and they are prominent in our homes to this day. I have no doubt Joyce is teaching God to paint. RIP beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with the world.