Life & Work with Joanne Agostinelli

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne Agostinelli. 

Hi Joanne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I’ve loved making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon. It was a constant in my life. When it came time for college, I was steered toward a career with more stable income prospects. Didn’t stop me from painting and drawing every chance I got. Years later I became serious about taking studio art classes evenings after work. I was lucky to have inspiring teachers who encouraged me and gave me the opportunity to explore many media. 

Life is short. I lost my husband to cancer at age 50 and became acutely aware of how precious the time we have is. After more than 30 years in the IT industry, I chose to leave to become a full-time artist… just as the recession of 2008 hit. Oh, well, still didn’t stop me! I was so lucky to get three art residencies in National Parks – Acadia, Weir Farm, and Mesa Verde. All were priceless experiences and some of the paintings I produced are in their permanent collections. 

My inspirations usually come from nature and my longest-running (and still continuing) series involves representing the primal elements – Earth, Sky, Water, and Fire. 

I currently reside in Arizona and the southwest has definitely flavored my work – I technically live in high desert country but also just a mile from the Verde River, so the environment is diverse. I love the big skies and the richness of both desert and riparian flora and fauna. I’m active in the Arizona Pastel Artists Association and show my work locally at Muse Studio 735. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was difficult working a demanding day job and taking night classes, but I loved what I was learning. Once I decided to create art full-time, I entered a period of experimentation but struggled to determine what my ‘style’ was. Knowing that art dealers and galleries prefer artists with a distinct, recognizable technique/subject/pallet, etc., I still found it hard to limit myself in such a way. I have come to accept that I work in a number of different styles and I’m fine with that! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to work in series. It gives me time to explore various aspects of a subject and different ways of representing it. Most of my work is nature-inspired and for many years I have used the elements – Earth, Water, Sky – for my subject matter. These are themes I return to time and again, sometimes representationally and sometimes in an abstract manner. 

I am very proud to have been selected as Artist in Residence at two National Parks and one National Historical Site (Mesa Verde, Acadia, Weir Farm). Living in the parks for weeks at a time allowed for total immersion in these environments – an exceptional and inspirational opportunity! 

I have served on the boards of a number of art groups and am a two-term past president of Connecticut Women Artists, an organization that began promoting women in the visual arts in 1929 and continues to today. Currently, I’m a board member of the Arizona Pastel Artists Association, a dynamic group that has extended its reach across the country and boasts many nationally known pastel artists. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.agostinart.com