Despite growing up in Michigan, the magic and wonder of the ocean captured Joyful's imagination. As a child, she would check out book from the library about sea creatures and try to draw them-usually on the flyleaves of her father's books, much to his chagrin. Many nights she would dream about being able to breathe underwater, swimming with whales, and just exploring the ocean's depths. These dreams inspired Joyful's creativity and calling as a marine wildlife artist. By her mid-twenties, Joyful moved to Northwest Florida to attend Pensacola Christian College, where she earned both a Bachelors and Master of Fine Arts in studio art. During her time as an undergraduate student, she was able to hone artistic fundamentals, and as a graduate student refine techniques, as well as pursue ocean themed subject matter in her work. Over the past several years, Joyful has collaborated with several marine wildlife artists, conservationists, and research/rescue facilities including the Coastal Conservation association and the Gulf World Marine Institute. THrough these continued collaborations, she stays current, connected, and educated about marine lifeand it's human community as a whole. As a certified SCUBA diver, Joyful's first hand encounters and connection with the underwater world enhance the quality of her work by giving it depth and authenticity. Joyful is an active and award-winning member of the Oil Painters of America, National Acrylic and Oil Painters society, and the conservation-driven Ocean Artist's Society. Diving, collaborating with conservations, and participating in artistic societies enriches her career and has caused her work to be featured on television, in several reputed national exhibitions, and publications such as Southwest Art and Fine Art Connosseur magazines. Enriquez currently focuses on gallery work, murals, and private commissions. She currently lives and works from a studio in Panama City Beach with her husband Sam, who is also an artist. Joyful's working method and style are a blend of classical realism and modern impressionism. She achieves the look and feel of her work in several ways. One way she develops her technique is through personal experience. Soaking in the sights and sounds underwater through snorkeling or diving help her build an accurate feel for her chosen subject matter and saves it to memory. When she is painting, she uses this visual memory store in communicating not just the sight of marine creatures, but the very essence of what makes them a special part of the planet. Another way she achieves the look of her artwork is by utilizing oil paints-her chosen specialty. With oils she achieves soft, borderless transitions, razor sharp edges, thin liquid-like layers, as well as thick patches of impasto. Sometimes Joyful will also incorporate the use of gold and silver leaf to accentuate the feeling of the light refracting and reflecting underwater.All these experiences and methods over the years come together for Joyful to create more than just a painting-art that leaves the viewer with emotional wonderment, wistfulness, passion, and satisfaction. Joyful Enriquez hopes that the emotional impression she leaves with people through her artwork causes them to appreciate, love, and protect the oceans that provide the world with such priceless resources.