Silicon Valley Open Studios in just 7 days! Hope to see you there; step up and say hello!
Today I’d like to introduce you to JoAnne Perez Robinson, who works in watercolor and acrylic. JoAnne’s work concentrates on things you might see everyday, and infuses them with color, form, light, and personal meaning. After you read this, get to her website and look up my favorite, Teach a Man to Fish.
I have always known in my heart I was an artist but I did not have the confidence until my mid thirties to really get serious about my passion. I was doing well selling my work and doing commissions so in 2008 I decided to go to the next level and started selling my work art and craft shows. I had picked up some little miniature canvases at the art store and I thought they would sell well at festivals. They are small, affordable and all originals. I do paint medium and large work also, but my miniature paintings have become the bread and butter of my art business.
Art has been such a blessing in my life. I can honestly say I am never bored. I am always excited when I see the way light falls on an object, a dog running on the beach, a country scene or flowers in a bucket at the farmer’s market. I love to capture the sweet, everyday moments of life. To be able to stop and smell the roses, take a peaceful easy pace, slow down and really look and see the beauty that is there; this is where my art has taken me. I feel like that is a gift and I will be forever grateful for it.
What do you think about when you begin painting?
When I begin my painting I really like to be able to get completely lost in the scene. The feeling that the subject, colors and shapes give me is what I am trying to share with the viewer. I am more interested in getting the feeling across, than getting everything exactly perfect. I think that is what makes the art fun and draws people in; they can relate to it. They can see that there is beauty in the everyday, ordinary things that surround us all.
Tell me about one of your favorite paintings or drawings that you’ve made. Why is it your favorite?
I have lots of favorite paintings. My watercolors have won 1st place twice and 2nd place twice at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. That was exciting. One painting I am especially proud of is Color Study. While waiting for my daughter, who got to audition for the Stanford University theatre department, I saw this scene at the Cantor museum: A lady with silvery gray hair, dressed very neutral. She was studying these paintings that were exploding with color. I knew it would make a fun painting. I ended up winning a 1st place ribbon for it and my daughter got accepted to Stanford in the fall, so I think that has to be my favorite!
If you could ask one question of an artist you admire, who would it be, and what would you ask?
This is a hard one, I have too many favorite artists! Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth, Dean Mitchell, Karin Jurick, Tim Horn to name just a few! I think if it can only be one it would have to be Mark Adams. He is no longer living but I wish I could have had dinner with him. His work makes me feel so peaceful. It’s so lovely. I would have asked him about how he began his watercolors, how he chose his subjects and let one question lead to the next.
Mockingbirds at midnight 