Joyce’s Story

Joyce Christine Bowerman was born on May 4, 1925, in Seattle, Washington, to Ira and Lois Bowerman. Joyce graduated from West Seattle High School and briefly attended the University of Washington before the events of World War II led her to a job at Boeing, where she worked as a parts runner, skating around the factory floor on roller skates.

In August 1945, Joyce married Herman L. Grafe, and they soon had two sons, Marc, born in 1948, and Rod, born in 1950. The family eventually relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Joyce began to develop her artistic talents. This journey into the world of creativity led her to study theater at Portland State College and to work with the New Savoy Company and with the Lyric Theatre Company. Her roles included wardrobe mistress, chorus girl, and costume designer for productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas during the 1960s.

When Joyce was working with the New Savoy Company, she began studying calligraphy with Lloyd Reynolds at Reed College. Her first introduction to laid-gold techniques came in Ruth Josslin’s “Gold Class” at the School of Arts and Crafts, where Ruth had recently developed the use of hyplar as a base for laying gold leaf. 

In the fall of 1974 Joyce studied with Lois McClelland and the English illuminator Donald Jackson. She also began teaching calligraphy classes at Portland Community College and gold classes at Arts and Crafts, as well as private lessons in her home. In the early 1980s, after much experimenting with various formulas, she developed a recipe for gesso that worked. The “gesso-gold leaf” rush was on! Up to that time all illumination in Oregon had been limited to hyplar and gum ammoniac.

In 1985, Joyce’s seminal book Secreta: Three Methods of Laying Gold Leaf was published by Alcuin Press, offering insight into her innovative gilding techniques. The book would go on to become a treasured resource for artists worldwide, and her work to be featured in prestigious collections across the globe. 

Her students, many of whom became accomplished calligraphers and gilders in their own right, fondly remembered Joyce for her patience, smiles, generosity, and the infectious enthusiasm she brought to every lesson.

A memory of Joyce by Laurie Cook, published in the March 2005 PSC newsletter:

Joyce Grafe, gilder of extraordinary skill, was giving classes on gilding, in her home at her dining table in 1987 when I first became acquainted with her. Her skills as a teacher were also extraordinary and I felt it quite a privilege to be in that class. 

Living in Salem, I carpooled with Sister Grace Taylor from Mt. Angel, Ian Purdy from Scotts Mills, Laurie Cook and Luella Mavraedis from Salem … all to attend that one class at Joyce’s home; along w/other students like Mary Lou Thomas.

Joyce sent me a letter some years ago and I would like to quote some of her thoughts:

“I fell in love with the alphabet in all its many forms. The person who influenced me the most was and will continue to be the charismatic, literate, charming, and often irascible Lloyd Reynolds, as he taught, berated, praised and inspired. The last ones I do (referring to her own artwork) are always my favorites. Probably my all time~ favorites are however, “Creation” and “Rejoice”. I claimed these pieces for my collection because, as with the cobbler, I seldom have any of my own work. I love what I do but I recommend it only to those who accept its need for time discipline and its affinity for causing great frustration. Sometimes, however, it feels good to kick the furniture and turn the air blue!”