DALLAS ARTIST JOYCE NEWMAN, a 1951 graduate of North Texas State University, was born in 1930 as Joyce Marie Edgar of Alice, Texas.

Upon graduation, she began the first of her careers as a fashion illustrator and commercial artist, producing award-winning work in both editorial and retail advertising design.

In the 1970s—while mothering young children—Joyce utilized her extensive knowledge of horticulture while manning the helm at Adam Whitney Interior Plants, pioneering a business venture which provided interior tropical species to the design and architecture trades.

In the 1990s, Joyce became a dedicated and prolific printmaker, gaining distinction for her colorful serigraphs both abstract and figurative. Studying under the tutelage of fellow artist Ann Cushing Gantz—a great inspiration and sometimes conspirator—Joyce’s life interests in horticulture, architecture, design, and fashion are apparent in her subjects. Always compelling, her work at times would give hint to a dry and cheeky humor.

Along with her husband Morton, Joyce raised two other creatives who went on to be designers, musicians, and educators. Both of them—and in turn their own children—are influenced heavily by her creative gifts.

Joyce Marie passed away at her Dallas home in 2007, giving way to symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Her decade-long battle was characteristically fought on her own terms.