About Joan

EARLY YEARS:

I was raised in an (almost Ozzie & Harriet family) with 3 younger sisters.  My father was a tool and die engineer and my mom was very happy as stay-at-home-homemaker, who cooked and baked fabulous American & Hungarian food. Alto she didn't think so, she too, was an exceptional artist who sewed like a professional, worked in copper enameling, ceramics and also made charcoal drawings. Being that my Dad had no sons, he taught us all how to use tools properly---and always clean them and put them away 'where they belong'.  We also were instructed about everything we need to know about cars (including how to drive a 'stick' shift), and learned to like sports and understand 'most of' the rules.

TEENS & MIDLIFE:

I have always considered myself an artist - winning my first award for 'A Law Day USA' poster contest, from Oakland County, MI., while in high school. After college my, first paying career, was that of a pediatric nurse. I have 3 wonderful, accomplished children. I'm the proud MiMi of 5 exceedingly gifted, talented and loving grandchildren, for whom I couldn't afford to feed daily, couldn't keep up with the laundry and don't have to pay for their 'out of state' college tuition.

GOLDEN YEARS:

Somehow I blinked my eyes and here I am. I'm not complaining !  I am exceedingly lucky to still awaken on the right side of the turf, have good health and continue to travel. I have a beautiful home, 2 darling small dogs, who love me unconditionally, and a fabulous large new state-of-the-art first floor studio. I am surrounded by a wonderful loving family, and friends who are my extended family.

ART:

My works are stimulated by the patterns, colors and objects that surround me.  Materials seem to speak to me wherever I go.  All types of glass, ceramics, beads, handmade pieces, wood, metal, and other repurposed materials have found their way into my art.  Quite often, it’s my ‘stash’ to which I go to for inspiration; it will in turn energize my imagination. I most often work unconventionally, rarely drawing, and not necessarily in a linear path.  Sometimes my pieces evolve into something far unlike what I originally imagined. Frequently I work backwards, developing a finished piece from a single tessera or item that in-plants an initial seed of an idea.  Each work showcases my attention to detail in the design elements, color choices and selection of materials.

GOALS:

I’m proud to have achieved my long time goal of obtaining my own unique, recognizable style.  

I also teach in my home studio and at other venues when invited.