JO-ANN CLOSE, pastel artist

Jo-Ann has lived in Rutherfordton for 15 years and enjoys the many pleasures that life in rural North Carolina has to offer including sharing her journey with all of her animal companions. She began pencil drawing in 1999 then delved into watercolor and finally pastel where she has remained for the past several years. Pastels offer the excitement of intense and vibrant color. They provide the basis for combining her drawing skills with her love of color since pastels in many ways are like drawing in color with pure, rich pigment.

 Jo-Ann feels an artist’s biggest challenge is to convey her intimate knowledge of the subject in her paintings. Her favorite subjects are animals although she also enjoys landscapes. She endeavors to capture the essence of her animal subjects by conveying the expression of their eyes and by portraying them in poses that communicate their unique personalities. She strives in her landscapes to express a personal sense of place hoping the viewer will resonate with the feelings that the intimacy of the place inspires if she is to consider a piece to be successful.