Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanne West.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I left Chicago at 17 years of age and headed west as I heard you could wear shorts here at Christmas. After a short exploration of automotive school, followed by test car driving I eventually found my niche as a corporate photographer for General Motors Desert Proving Grounds. In 2001, I left GM to follow my passion photographing nature.
In addition to a 40-yr. love affair capturing Arizona’s beauty, a dash of international travel has added diversity to my photo collection. Chasing moonrises, lighting storms, dramatic landscapes and wildlife is my current passion and the basis for much of my fine art photography. Capturing heartfelt images of people, pets and events have also added stability to my freelance photography business. My photographs are published, exhibited and collected in the US, Canada, Australia & UK.
Please tell us about your art.
I live in an underground dome home in Gold Canyon Arizona with the company of 2 cats, a tortoise, and a little white poodle. I chose this location because of the way the light dances off the nearby Superstition Mountains at sunrise and sunset. Photographing the full moon rise and monsoon lightning against the evening dusk sky is a magical experience. Living here reminds me to appreciate the beauty and grace that surrounds us every day. Whenever possible, I make the outdoor world my studio.
My photographs of nature particularly wildflowers, birds, animals, and twilight scenes are most popular giclee printed onto canvas and recently printed on aluminum. Many are customized to fit perfectly into homes and businesses with unique niches or very large walls. Those who own them say they bring joy into their homes. As a certified AZ community college instructor, I enjoy leading photography classes and workshops. Currently, I am teaching at the Desert Botanical Gardens. I share my vision to contribute to the world by inspiring others to celebrate every moment, follow their own truth and search for the beauty in everything.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
Trusting in our inner guidance and knowing our own self worth plays a big part in producing work that is unique and appreciated by others. There are billions of ways to celebrate the beauty of this planet. When an artist responds and expresses their experience in a way that is true for them, their art will attract buyers who resonate with it. As an artist, you need to stay persistent with your vision and keep creating. Be open and grateful even in a seemingly adverse situation because everything is connected and unknown blessings are already on the way.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My Gold Canyon home gallery can be visited by appt. by calling. Visitors can purchase everything from greeting cards to epic size canvases. Work can also be ordered directly thru my website.
The first weekend of November, my home is part of an east valley Artist of the Superstitions Studio tour. It’s a free 2-day event with over 24 studios on the self-drive map. I will be hosting 4 other artists in my courtyard this year.
Details and links to download the map will be available on my website.
Current Local Places to buy my Photography. Gold Canyon Cafe 6900 E. US Hwy 60 Gold Canyon AZ – Continually changing display of mini canvases and variety of my local photography you can purchase right off the wall! Apache Junction Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce is displaying my photography along with the works of other local artists AND a percentage of your art purchase benefits the AJ Scholarship Fund! Superstition Mountain Museum 4087 N Apache Trail Hwy 88 AJ 85119.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10482 e La Palma Ave Gold Canyon, AZ
- Website: www.jwestphotography.com
- Phone: 602-999-7957
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/JoanneWestPhotography
- Other: https://joanne-west.pixels.com/
Image Credit:
Joanne West Photography
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