MEET JOANNE
I paint intuitively, drawn to colour, nature, symbolism, and the stories that emerge along the way.
My work is an exploration of what captures my attention and asks to be expressed—sometimes playful, sometimes reflective, and often a little unexpected.
My relationship with art began when I was about thirteen. I loved to draw, although I’m not sure I thought of myself as particularly good at it. My father noticed something in my drawings before I did, and his encouragement gave me a reason to keep exploring.
I started with pencils, moved into pastels, and in Grade 8 received my first easel for Christmas, along with a book on sketching and a set of charcoals. I created my first charcoal drawing that year.
I still have both the drawing and the easel today, and they now have a place in my studio alongside the work I’m creating all these years later.
Painting came more slowly. I experimented with it, but for a long time I didn’t feel particularly confident. So I dabbled. I drew, worked with oil pastels, stepped away, came back, and continued making art in different ways over the years.
About ten years ago, I decided to give painting the time and attention I had never quite given it before. I began buying supplies, experimenting with acrylics, learning techniques, and—probably most importantly—allowing myself to play.
What began as something I simply enjoyed at thirteen has become a creative practice I continue to explore today.
My approach to painting has evolved along with my work. In the beginning, I often started with a blank canvas and simply played—with colour, shape, texture, and whatever emerged. Those early paintings tended to be more abstract, and much of the joy came from not knowing where the canvas would lead me.
Over time, my work became more intentional. I found myself increasingly drawn to nature, particularly flowers and dragonflies, and began exploring ways to bring those elements into my paintings. I collected images and references, experimented with different forms and compositions, and discovered which subjects continued to capture my imagination.
Today, I’m more likely to begin with an idea of the world I want to create. I think about the colours, symbols, setting, mood, and feeling I want the painting to hold, and then I explore different possibilities until a composition begins to feel right.
There is still plenty of room for surprise once I begin painting. The original idea gives me somewhere to start, but the painting itself always has a say in where we end up.
