An explanation of my artwork involves relating the "whole picture" of my life, as the images portrayed- the faces, fantasy scenes, animals, landscapes and spirits- all connect to my daily life. I moved to the northwoods 22 years ago to live on our land, which had been homesteaded by my great-grandparents in the early 1900's. We built our home out of the trees growing here, we grow and harvest much of our own food, and live in a wild, secluded forest along the banks of the Wisconsin River. Much of my work is simply inspired by the place I have been blessed to live. The surroundings, teeming with all of life, inspire many of my images.

I am active in working to protect and preserve our precious environment, and often the drawings in clay that I do are related to concerns about our woods and water, and to our spiritual, emotional and physical connection to all of nature. In my work, I try to portray my reverence for all of nature, its mysteries, and my hopefulness that humans can live harmoniously with it.

I love to study the history of the northwoods-Lake Superior region,

and am fascinated by the lives of the Ojibwe people. I spend a great deal of time with my family on our land on Madeline Island in all seasons, and the history of that place, along with it’s splendid beauty, gives me limitless inspiration. I am also enchanted with the art, and crafts people, of Mexico, and find myself drawn to color and exuberance in my work as a reflection of the travels and study I have done with the people in Oaxaca.
My mother’s parents emigrated from Ireland, where I was able to visit recently. This was a huge inspiration to me, personally and artistically. Meeting and growing to know my extended family from the O’Maolmhuaidh and O’Rodain clans has opened a door to a wider sense of my own heritage and this new connection finds its way into my artwork. Their stories, and the old ways of worship, artwork, myths, and sacred places- all have been on my mind and flowing into my work. The Irish connection to "other worlds" and the varied ways they use to understand it all finds its way into images and the visual stories that I tell.

Being a woman and mother to 4 children also inspires images in my work. I love to portray imaginary goddesses, women taking adventures in life, and especially the female protectors of water, life and earth. This interweaves with my interest in a "sense of place", honoring our connections to our lands, environment, our "places", and I enjoy the challenge of relaying these feelings and sensory awareness through my artwork.

Feltmaking at Riverrun

In addition to pottery, sculpture, and wood-fired work, Joan also works in felt-making and collage. She most recently received an Artist and Community Collaboration grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, and has been creating a wool-felted hut with students in grades 3-11. The hut will be called "The Seánachie Shelter", and will be completed in January 2006, after which it will be available to schools, libraries and public places for display and use as a storytelling space. Joan is developing a curriculum package to accompany the project, which is based upon the seasonal celebrations of the Celtic year. For more information call the Riverrun Center.