Creekside Studio, Joan Larson, Qualicum Beach

THE ARTIST - JOAN LARSON

Joan Larson has been involved in the arts all her life. An early interest in art led her to study at the Banff Centre, the University of Victoria, and the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Joan specializes in equine art work, often drawing upon her background of landscape and figurative painting to create her work. Born in Sexsmith Alberta, she was influenced by the open, rural landscape around her. However, a family move to Victoria, B.C. while still young, gave her an appreciation of the surrounding forests and ocean.

Joan's career experiences have included graphic design, illustration, managing her own gallery in Palm Desert, California, and developing several picture framing businesses. Her diverse education and life experiences have given her a practical understanding of the business aspects of the art world, as well as a technical proficiency with a variety of art mediums.

Her preference to work primarily with pastels is due to the exceptional colour effects that can be achieved when working with sticks of pure pigment. Her subjects have been described as "sensitive portrayals, so life like that the personalities shine through." Often using unusual angles of observation and varying light sources, she is able to capture the more subtle aspects of the human/animal relationship.