Originally from upstate New York, I have lived in Salt Lake City since 1978. Besides being a painter, I am also a psychologist.
I have been painting in water medium since 1999. My art is often whimsical. As a viewer and an artist, I find art with whimsy fun, creative and totally engaging. I try to go beyond the image itself and create a dynamic between the viewer and the art. Painting subjects with disparate colors, actions and sizes is one way I do this. Applying washes I find the beginnings of such things as red cows, blue rabbits, orange sheep and oversized birds. Being very much influenced by my environment, I paint scenes that capture me emotionally, whether it’s a pink sheep, a snow covered field, flying fish or a romantic European street or countryside. Recently, I have been using more mixed media to create a textured background that encourages freer expression.
Teachers and artists I have studied with include Susan Gallagher, Jeff Maugher, Willamarie Huelskamp, Ron Ransom, Christopher Schink, Alvaro Castagnet and Steven Quiller. My work has been in juried shows at the Utah Women Artists Exhibition and two of The World of the Wild exhibitions at Utah’s Hogle Zoo where my painting was selected by the Utah Artists Council to travel to selected sites throughout Utah. I am also a Signature Member of the Utah Watercolor Society. Exhibition sites include Evergreen Framing Company and Gallery, Inc., Traces Art in the Garden, Michael Berry’s Gallery, Red Butte Gallery, Art in Pilar’s Garden, Magpie’s Nest and Ogden Union Station.
Contact Joan for information and/or purchase.