Michael L. Perry began painting and creating found-object sculptures in the early 1980s after earning a BA in English, drawing inspiration from Southern Utah’s red cliffs and desert landscapes. The desert’s vivid colors and intricate textures shaped his geometric paintings and later inspired Cleft, a series of 23 large works exploring pointillism and color. As his culinary career grew, photography and digital art became essential outlets for creative expression. Since moving to Durham, Perry has developed The Joy Project, combining pointillism, hard-edge painting, and color theory to explore what evokes joy. His works on paper embrace the unexpected interplay of ink and water, allowing organic forms to emerge. Through each medium, he hopes to offer viewers a sense of awe, wonder, and a quiet moment of happiness.