About Us

Joan was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and during one of her frequent trips to the Winnipeg Art Gallery with her mother and twin sister, VanGogh's paintings of "Sunflowers" and "Crows in the Cornfield", made a lasting impression. These influences of the early Expressionists, such as VanGogh and Gauguin and the Symbolist, Redon continue to inspire her.

Further, influenced by the Color Field painters of the 1960's such as Helen Frankenthaler and Morris Louis, Joan's paintings are lively, gestural color compositions of form and movement.

Joan's Fine Arts study began at David Thompson University in Nelson, B.C. She spent one year at the University of Alberta and completed her degree at the University of Victoria,under the tutelage of her Advisor, Doug Morton of the "Regina Five." She has also studied portraiture with Doolee MacDonnell of Trail, B.C. and water colour with Les Weisbrech of New Denver, B.C. Joan learned the old world traditional techniques with a classical emphasis from Jean Birnie at Artistically Speaking in Edmonton, Alberta.

Joan has taught drawing, painting, sculpture, cartooning and portfolio preparation in Trail, Edmonton and Victoria and currently conducts ongoing classes for children and adults at Artistic Statement Gallery & School of Fine Art in the Monterey Mews at #107 - 2250 Oak Bay Ave. Victoria B.C.