Joyce Marie was born and raised in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She remembers drawing and painting at a very early age. Joyce Marie discovered the art of Batik as an art instructor in the Arts & Crafts Center at the University of Florida in 1966. She has been batiking ever since. Florida birds and wildlife have always been close to her heart and in her artwork. The main themes for her batiks are birds, wildlife, and Seminole Indians. Joyce Marie retired from the University of Florida in 2002. Now she is incorporating fabric collage with her batik designs..