The Artist Joan Lansdell

Joan is a retired Community Health Nurse, who lives in the charming city of Summerland. Joan took painting lessons in all media through her school years, from Miss Topham- Brown in Vernon. Her art was left aside while she attended university, graduated, taught at nursing school, then went into public health, raised a family and finally retired a few years ago. Joan had not touched any artwork in over 50 years, so two years ago she decided to start again. Pastel was her favorite medium, so, it was pastel she chose to work with again. Joan enjoys painting landscapes of places she and her husband have traveled to, as well as local Okanagan scenes, flowers and animals. She is a member of Pastel Artists Canada, has exhibited in Summerland Art Gallery & Art walk and participated in International Artists Challenges and has done commissions for friends and has sold a few paintings.

About my work

I love pastels.

I love the feel of a pastel stick between my fingers. It's a great sensation when I take charge and make art happen; making an image appear out of nowhere. That stick of pastel and all the other pigments lie at the waiting The first strokes are like a story; they set the mood and tone. I enjoy depicting scenes that I have enjoyed, adding different colors to make it come alive. Trying out different types of paper is great fun, some grab the pigments and make them glow, and others show through the pigments and give softness to the background, while others accept water so the pastel can melt into a certain area. At present reality is what I like but with time and experimentation I might attempt moving in a more abstract mode.