Artist Statement

Passionate about life, art, and the creative process, JoAnn discovered her artistic abilities and talents through nature. Her love of nature and flowers is reflected in her paintings as she uses color, textures, and light to create an exciting journey of the senses. While JoAnn has explored a variety of mediums over the past several years, her primary satisfaction comes from working with pastels. Her subject matters include landscapes, still life and flowers. Much of her work is plein air. JoAnn’s use of color and texture helps others see the world through different lenses – focusing on the diversity of color, much like the diversity of the human spirit. She believes that we cannot effectively capture the essence of anything and bring it to life, without experiencing it in the context of the environment in which it lives. This is true for the human spirit as well. The richness and complexity of her work draws you into her paintings and brings you to a place of quiet within. For JoAnn, her passion for art and painting has contributed to her sense of well-being, richness, and inner peace. It is JoAnn’s desire to transfer this richness of the human spirit, appreciation for life, and passion for art into the lives of people who experience her paintings.

Artist Biography

I moved from the east coast to the northwest in my late twenties. It was then that I became more aware of my surroundings and gained an appreciation for nature and the great outdoors. I am inspired by the colors of nature and make every effort to capture this richness in my pastel landscape paintings. My home in Sisters truly stimulates my senses and the creative process.

Currently, I am a Partner at Hood Avenue Art Gallery where I show and sell my artwork in Sisters, Oregon. I also collaborate in the business operation of the Gallery. Over the years, I have shown my work at the following: TAW Gallery (Tumalo Art Works) in Tumalo, OR., DonTerra ArtWorks, Sisters, OR., Bellevue Art Fair/6th Street Fair, Bellevue, WA. , Fall and Summer Festivals in Bend, OR., St. Charles Hospital, Bend, OR., Deschutes Public Library – Sisters & Redmond, OR., Starbucks, Redmond, OR., Bend Senior Center, Bend, OR., Sagebrushers , Bend, OR., Three Birds Home & Gifts, Seattle, WA.

In addition, I have had the pleasure of studying with several great artists as I explored my artistic talents during the last 15 years. These included: Marla Baggetta of Western, Oregon, Richard McKinley (Art in the High Desert) – Bend, Oregon, Joseph Lesser, of Atelier J (Seattle, Washington) for over two years; Seattle Academy of Fine Arts (now GAGE) – various classes over several years with different instructors; Kirkland Art Center, Washington (several years of classes); and Ilona Ritter of Ilona Art Studio for a year. Each of these opportunities has contributed to my talents and passion for painting.
I am a member of the Plein Air Painters of Oregon (2011 to present), Arts Central in Bend, Oregon (2008-present), and Sagebrushers Art Society, Inc. of Bend, OR. (2011 to present).