Joyce Barton majored in art at David Lipscomb College in 1965. She began working in pen and ink when her children were little because it is easier to put down a pen than a paint brush when she needed to see what they were doing. She began drawing in fourth grade and since then has usually been taking an art course somewhere. She has been taking figure drawing classes for about 20 years because it is still a challenge, She also works in pencil.