Work in progress...

I very happy with the way this piece is coming along but there are some areas that I have to tweak..stay tuned!

(Update: Has it been a year later..and I am still tweaking this!!  Can you believe it? 

My latest angels...

Finally, a moment to work on my very much awaited blog ~ for the longest time, well-meaning friends and wonderful folks who follow my art work have been asking.. "when are you going to start your own blog like the rest of the world?" ... and I thought, it would certainly give my artwork a boost in terms of promotion and exposure, so why not? Well, i'm a mother first and with summer nearing it's end, my sun sets and rises around my girls. But thanks to my ever supportive hubby, who has taken time out of his chaotic schedule to jumpstart this blog...and so here I am today, typing away another entry...WOOHOO!!!


So what's new? At the present time, I have 4 pieces listed on Ebay. Haven't done much artwork lately as I am enjoying what's left of the glorious summer weather and cherishing every moment I have with my kids who will soon be starting school - Greta, my 5 year old, will be starting kindergarten and Mia, my other girlie-girl, will be returning to college as a sophomore.


Here are my latest pieces which are all done in mixed media format combining different weights of acrylics paint, pastels, pencils and inks. The frame support of these paintings were all handmade by me using post-consumer waste: different types of papers and cardboards and even homemade glue (!) - making each piece truly one-of-a-kind and environmentally sound.

Heaven's Door

(sold)

Dimension: 19 x 24

*this piece comes with an accent antique metal keyhole/door hardware that I found at our local country antique flea market...lots of crackle and amazing texture!

Prayer

(sold)

Dimension: 15 x 16

*the way this piece was painted and it's great texture was inspired by the old murals

Vision

(sold)

Dimension: 12 1/2 x 24

*amazing texture and collage work..her face is simply divine!

Welcome to my studio, the home of Neo Folk Art

When it comes to labels, if they must to be necessary, I've always considered myself an outsider artist since I am self taught. I've primarily worked in acrylic, with various other mediums trailing behind and whenever possible blending them into a mixed style to achieve the best image possible.


That's where my love for Folk Art has come from .... though lately it has evolved to what I can only call Neo Folk Art.


So how do I describe Neo Folk? Well, I see it as a new way to envision Folk Art as a contemporary art form working with the traditional mediums and techniques that have been a staple of the folk art world, but infusing it with modern techniques creating a new paradigm in a sense.


Don't get me wrong, I love folk art and it's flexibility and themes and I will not be leaving it, but attempting to bend it beyond the constraints of what would typically be classified as Folk.


So what is she doing, you're wondering? Well simply put, I am going to flesh out my figures into a more realistic style and will be drawing (no pun intended) inspiration from street, fantasy and other contemporary artists to name a few.


It will be folk anew, mixing the old themes, the whimsy, the wonder and curiosities that have made folk a fantastic vehicle for me to express myself.


What is going to happen with this little experiment of mine? I don't know, that's what makes it so exciting and frightening at the same time.


I have begun my experimentation and the challenges thus far have been...well... let's just leave it at that for now.


So as I sign off, there it is, the story in a nutshell into my exploration of a new way of old to tell my stories on the canvas (though I mostly work on salvaged/reclaimed wood and recycled papers) tirelessly stamping, stenciling, painting and mounting all of the collage work that the support can handle.


My paintings can be found in several local galleries and currently on Ebay and etsy. I can also be contacted for commissions.


Wish me luck.


Joann