Conversations with Gracie Joyce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Joyce.

Hi Gracie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
As a child, I was terrified to speak. I was afraid of people. I didn’t understand this world. I had some traumatic experiences and the way that I coped with my fears and insecurities was to self-medicate. I started using drugs and alcohol at a very early age, because I found that under their influence, I suddenly had the courage and could fit in, in the ways that society thought were somewhat acceptable.

I lived in an extremely inauthentic way. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was constantly looking to be accepted, loved, and comfortable in my own skin. The only way I knew how to express my true thoughts and feelings was through colors, shapes, and images.

I traversed addiction and mental health diagnoses for the majority of my life. I experienced psychosis and deep depression, I was suicidal on a daily basis for years on end. I attracted abusive and controlling people into my life which exasperated my trauma.

The whole way through, art was my saving grace.

When I realized I had two options; die or get better, and began to seek out what would help me get better, my life began to transform.

I learned about Infinite Grace, and learned how I could be loved, no matter what I had done, or how worthless I thought I was. I learned how to reprogram my thinking, and release a lifetime of shame and guilt. Eventually, I realized I had experienced a complete psychic change.

I had walked away from the people and substances that were harmful to me and most importantly, I had learned how to treat myself with tenderness and Grace.

I became empowered, tapping into and surrendering daily to the power that aligns planets and makes seeds turn into trees. Soon that Higher Power helped me to see that what were considered by some to be defects of my character or mental illness, were actually gifts that could offer insight and healing to others.

What it took to restore me to sanity, was now an offering I could share with others.

When I was in deep depression and psychosis, I would write on the back of my paintings in moments of clarity words of hope, and encouragement, so that when I would have painful episodes, I could turn over the paintings and remember the truth. In psychosis, I was shown that all the words on the back of the paintings were radiating into my atmosphere and healing me.

I then was shown that others were benefiting as well, and were profoundly moved by the words that were written on the back of the paintings. People were drawn to precisely the message they needed to hear. I began to sell my paintings and eventually created a line of prints and a book that I now sell at events and workshops. They are an instrumental tool in the journey of healing for many of the people I work with. I have a goal to distribute the book, “Infinite Grace” which is a collection of the images and words of hope and Infinite Grace to jails and institutions worldwide, bringing hope to the seemingly hopeless and love to the seemingly unloveable.

I also began to share with others the therapeutic painting techniques I would use to translate how I felt. I would see faces in the paint and other images and “color them in” The images would relay a story that would give me further insight into what I was experiencing emotionally and how to move through it. I created a process called, “Paint by Spirit”, where I teach others to translate the images they have channeled, as a means of meditative painting for their personal healing journey.

The experiences of psychosis and spiritual growth it took to awaken and heal have given me psychic insight and limitless passion to work with others on their own personal journey of awakening and healing. We are all healing in every moment as we regenerate cells continuously, so our minds are constantly rewriting the script. I am a certified Reiki practitioner, Ordained Minister and I am in the process of receiving my Doctorate in Metaphysic counsel.

When I am not showing my work at an event, I currently work out of our Mount Pleasant home offering Private Sessions, Women’s Gatherings, Tea Ceremonies, and Workshops.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were many struggles along the way, as you can imagine. It was a struggle to get out of bed, leave the house and even brush my teeth, other days, I was so deeply suicidal, that it was a struggle to stay alive.

It was a struggle to leave people that I loved, that treated me harmfully, and realize I was worthy of better treatment.

It was a struggle to overcome addiction and it was a struggle to forgive myself and others.

Sometimes it was a struggle to believe that I would ever feel joy again.

I struggled to think that I was worthy of living, never mind that I was worthy of good things happening to me.

My mind was conditioned to suffer and I fully identified as “the One who suffers”. It was a struggle to let go of that identity.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Daily, I connect with my Higher Mystical Mind or God Mind, and I surrender to that Higher Mind. I then hold space for the people that are drawn to me that day to connect with their Higher Mind as well. Sometimes we paint together, sometimes we do cognitive work or have discussions. Sometimes they receive deep relaxation in a Reiki Session. Sometimes they find my booth at an event and turn over a painting. Sometimes they commission a painting. Sometimes we chat over a cup of herbal tea. Sometimes we sit in circles as women, sometimes we dance or sing, chant or bang on drums and sometimes we sit in sacred ceremony.

My hope is that I am known for my Love. the Infinite Grace that flows through my words, for my authentic journey and all I have experienced, and all that trauma… how it has given me these gifts that I love to share with others… and mostly my wish is that I am known for the Unconditional Love that people feel when they are with me, and the realization they carry with them, for the rest of their lives after being with me, of their inherent value, worth and love-able-ness that they already are.

Rather than answering what sets me apart from others, I think what is important to me is what connects me with others. What connects me is Love.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the sunshine here, the air, and the ocean! I love my friends and family, and all the people I share life with here. I also love the name. Mount Pleasant. It has a nice ring to it.

Pricing:

• Private sessions begin at $60 call for more information at 843-814-1996.
• Artwork and books are available online at www.graciejoyceoriginals.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.graciejoyceoriginals.com