The inspiration for Joan's paintings comes from her extensive travels in the Pacific Northwest. The San Juans and the Oregon and Washington Coast provide many themes for her maritime paintings. Dramatic skies, sun washed houses, mountains, quiet harbors and sail boats all contribute to her creativity.

Joan's paintings have been jury selected in regional and national shows including the Northwest Watercolor Society's annual show and the Frye Museum's Puget Sound Area Exhibition. Her paintings have been jury selected at Artsplash and the annual Eastside Area Fine Arts show the Puget Sound Group show. Joan's awards include the 1999 Northwest Watercolor Society purchase award and the 1995 Edmonds Art Festival Mayors Purchase Award. In 1996 Joan had a one-woman show at the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum and was the featured artist at Kirkland's Lakeshore Gallery in the Spring of 2005. Joan received a Best Of Show at the Evergreen State Fair. Foss Maritime has selected Joan's paintings for its 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001 calendars.

Over the past 25 years, Joan has participated in numerous classes, workshops, and seminars. She has studied under several notable artists including Don Andrews, Ned Mueller, Eric Weigardt and Judi Betts.

Joan is a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society and a founding member of the Sky Valley Artists Guild where she served terms as treasurer and vice president.

From 1987 to 1994, Joan owned and operated the Open Door Gallery in Monroe. After a challenging and exciting seven years, she sold the gallery in order to pursue painting on a full time basis. Joan is currently teaching watercolor classes at Arts of Snohomish. Joan has illustrated five small children's book for Sage Publications.

Joan's specialty is watercolor portraits of homes and children. There is always a waiting list for her commission paintings. Joan's artwork is displayed at many fine galleries including The Lakeshore Gallery in Kirkland, Art and Soul Gallery in Bothell, Earthenworks Gallery in LaConner, and Arts of Snohomish in Snohomish, Washington.