Fresno California is Joan's home town where she trained to be an art teacher at Fresno State College. She taught a few years then left the classroom to go into administration. During the next few years she continued to give private lessons in her studio. Also, she was able to study her art by taking workshops from many accomplished artists, such as, Richard Yip, Doug Kingman, Duane Light, Jan Kurtz, Joan McKesson, Betty Clark, Tony Couch and others.

She retired from Fresno Unified School District after 38 years. Joan and her husband moved to Arroyo Grande, CA, where they joined the El Camino Art Association.

After her husband passed away, in '95, she found solace in painting, always experimenting with various styles. Her paintings are in many private collections in California, Washington and the East Coast. She has exhibited with El Camino, Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo art groups, as well as one person shows.

Generally she paints in her studio using sketches and photos she has collected in her travels. With Joan art is a never ending quest.