“JOY” - Original Painting by Maryanne Grando

Title: JOY - Original Painting 

Oil over Mixed Media on Stretched Canvas 

Highly Textured, Dimensional Surface

16x20 Inch 

Ready to Hang 

In a world that can sometimes feel heavy, the laughter of a kookaburra is a profound and ancient sound of pure, unbridled joy. It's a sound that cuts through the noise, a piece of timeless wisdom reminding us that happiness is always within reach, ready to be celebrated. This is what I sought to capture in my painting, "Joy."

Working with oil over a foundation of rich, mixed media textures, I wanted to create a sense of grounded, earthy wisdom that perfectly frames the exuberant spirit of these magnificent birds. The canvas itself has a history, a story of its own, before the kookaburras appear—just as joy exists as a deep, underlying truth before it erupts into laughter. These three kookaburras, in their quiet conversation, seem to be sharing a secret—the simple, beautiful knowledge that life is meant to be enjoyed.

This piece is a tribute to that sage-like understanding. It's a vibrant reminder that knowledge isn't just about what we know, but how we choose to live with that knowledge. It's about finding that moment of pure, heartfelt laughter and holding onto it. "Joy" is my hope that this piece will bring that sound, that feeling, and that timeless wisdom into your home.