Artist Statement Inspiration

 What people notice about my gouache (rhythms with “squash”) and ink paintings are the vivid, bold colors and the rhythmic and playful stylization of the images. Some have commented that looking at my paintings takes them to a different place where they experience happiness and mindful reflection. The process of creating a painting transforms itself from beginning to end, as it takes on a life of its own. It’s a process of letting go of previous experience and preconceived ideas, while making room for unforeseen feelings and inspiration to arise. It’s a process that reveals something that didn’t exist before in which I learn something about myself. Often these visual journeys will lead the way to resolve an issue in my life; often there is a message to be heard.

I enjoy working in a series of themes which propels exploration and development of the subject matter. Symbols that represent security, community and reaching for expressions beyond what we normally see are important to me. For instance, tea bags which are for me symbolic of the support of friendships, as is demonstrated in tea ceremonies throughout many cultures, have appeared in several paintings. Ladders are an image that I use to represent rising above a situation to view the “Big Picture”. Cottage structures, which portray simplicity, nurturing and security, have been a consistent theme as well. Expressing a sense of humor through my “East Meets West” collection has been a satisfying direction inspired by traditional Japanese woodblock prints. 


joann100@ptd.net
570-409-6553


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