Joy Kirton-Smith was born near Stourbridge, England, and raised in the Worcestershire countryside, where her father and two brothers had a family business painting and decorating. Kirton-Smith cites their influence on her artistic style, as “they were always adventurous in trying out new materials and innovative styles.” While she was raised in a creative environment, her formal introduction to art didn’t begin until she attended Halesowen College, where she earned an A-Level in fine art. While at Halesowen, Kirton-Smith began her life-long interest in the classic master painters, such as Michelangelo and Rembrandt.

Kirton-Smith uses varied materials for her artwork, including substrates like canvas, rice paper, and board, with watercolors, pastels, charcoal, and oils on their own or in combination. Her multi-media paintings are inspired by her extensive travels to Venice, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Grand Cayman Islands, and Prague. As she explains, “Wherever I go, there is always something to bring back as a reference.” Whatever the medium or reference, Joy Kirton-Smith’s artwork is beautiful, inspiring, and powerful. It is no surprise that she has had many successful exhibitions around the United Kingdom and Europe and her paintings have been made into limited edition fine art prints that often sell out upon publication.