Joanne Newman

Joanne earned a BA in Art at SDSU with an emphasis in Interior Architecture and Design. After working as an interior designer for six years she made a shift and began a 38 year career as a sales representative of contract furnishings and textiles. Upon retirement in 2017 she was able to devote time to her “back burner” passion of painting. Joanne paints mostly the local landscape and recently ventured into more abstract work in mixed media. Subject matter varies from whimsical to botanical. The mediums she uses are acrylic, watercolor, collage, pencil, and marker. Substrates are typically canvas, wood or paper. 

I am lucky enough to be a native San Diegan living in Point Loma. One of the unique assets to residing on a peninsula is that one is surrounded by water. The west side of the point offers the meandering paths of Sunset Cliffs with the Pacific Ocean and the east side the peaceful bayside trail of Point Loma and San Diego Bay. “At the Cliffs” and “Along the Bay” are two distinct series of paintings based on these locations that I am known for locally in the community. A few years ago, I added abstract work to my repertoire. In this newest “Cliffside” series the representational seascape transforms into a more modern and abstracted visual. The intertwined shapes of cliffs and undulating tide water are pared down to a rhythmic simplicity. Harmonious color and repeated shapes provide a calming and comforting respite from everyday life. Staring at the sea can be both mesmerizing, hypnotic and thought provoking. “Cliffside” invites the viewer to be at peace with introspection.

CA

United States