Jooj Hooker

The Earthen Artist...

Originally from Paw Paw, Michigan, Jooj has called Arizona home since 1999, where the red earth of Sedona forever changed the direction of her artistic journey.

Every painting begins long before the first mark is made. It begins in a desert wash, on a volcanic slope, or beside an ancient riverbed, where Jooj gathers the raw materials that will become the painting itself.

It was the red earth of Sedona that first inspired her to paint with the land instead of simply painting its landscape. That discovery grew into years of exploration, traveling across the country gathering dirt, mineral-rich clays, volcanic basalt, and natural pigments, transforming them through an archival process refined through years of experimentation.

This isn’t dirt mixed into paint. The earth itself becomes the pigment.

The earth remembers...

Every layer carries the color, history, and character of the place from which it came.

Whether creating the majestic spirit of a wild horse, a still moment with penetrating wildlife, or emotionally driven abstract works, she paints not what the eye sees, but what the heart remembers. Every piece begins with a feeling, inviting the viewer to experience a deeper connection to nature, memory, and place.

For commissioned works, collectors often provide dirt or other meaningful natural elements from places that have shaped their lives- a family ranch, ancestral land, a favorite trail, the pasture of a beloved horse, or the ashes of a cherished companion. Woven into the painting, these materials, light, texture, and emotion, allowing each medium to tell its own story.

Jooj’s artistic practice moves freely between mediums, including award winning stained glass, sculpture, architectural finishes, and mixed-media installations. Whether shaping light through glass or transforming earth with her heart, she is continuously inspired by the stories natural materials have to tell.

Earth is the medium. Emotion is the language.

Please call to inquire about commissioned artwork (928) 282-7130