Whilst a student she became interested in the tension between the flat picture surface and recessions created within the painting, writing a thesis on the development of pictorial space.

She explored these tensions in paintings using hop gardens and scaffolding to create a cage-like mesh, receding yet affirming the picture surface. Her first exhibit in 1960 led to a commission from a scientific research firm and in this she began to use pylons and developed an interest in industrial landscape. This in turn led to commissions from other companies e.g., Jermyn Industries and CIBA (ARL) LTD. Although man-made these were nevertheless Industrial Landscapes

A solo exhibition at the Mayfield Gallery, London in 1985 included her first departure from landscape in studies for The Last Supper and Crucifixion. Her last solo exhibition at the Riverside Gallery, Richmond included, as well as landscapes, paintings from the Temple series which were inspired by Hebrew music heard in the setting of a synagogue.

With these exceptions landscape has remained the main subject of her work. From wide views of distant landscapes to details of plant growth , the “architecture” of hedgerows and brambles being the subject of large oils and small watercolours

Involved in teaching as a part-time lecturer in the 1960’s and 70’s in Chiswick Polytechnic, Isleworth Polytechnic and Surbiton Adult Education Centre, late 1970s. Chiswick Polytechnic closed and there was much re-organisation in further education and this seemed a good time to leave teaching.

In 1980 Joy became involved with others in starting up an “artists co-operative” which became Kew Studio and in 1985 ran the first short course an “Introduction to Oil Painting”. The following year she began a day class which continued until 1989 and in 1990 started the evening workshop which still continues.