Artist StatementMy art is infused with nature. I'm inspired by paths and trails, the lush and delicate colors of flowers and sunsets, the curving forms of fruits at the market, and the infinite richness of life daily.
I create using combinations of acrylic, gouache, ink, paper, fabric...
With collage, I like having fun with visual texture and imagery to add layers of meaning and elements of surprise.
When painting I enjoy strong contrasts of light and shadow in a warm palette, within the foundation of focused composition.
The fullness of life includes two wonderful grown sons, travels and hikes in beautiful places, art field trips with women friends, and sharing life everyday with my sweet, supportive husband, Doug.
In late 2023 I relocated my studio and home space to Sedona, Arizona, a magical place filled with light and the awe inspiring beauty of red rock monuments. I look forward to seeing how my art is influenced by the warm palette of this landscape, and incredible natural beauty.
I make art to bring joy, love, beauty, and inspiration to the everyday lives of people everywhere.
Thanks for visiting. Enjoy!
Bio
Joann Tomsche has had an active studio practice for over 30 years.
Her art making was encouraged from a young age by her painter grandmother and inspired by the handcrafts of women in her family.
After earning a degree in graphic design she continued her fine arts education with formal studio classes and ongoing self-study.
Her accomplished compositions and vibrant color sense are directly influenced by her years of working as a graphic designer.
Joann founded a curriculum based art program at Idyllwild School, in Idyllwild, California.
This community-based project led to roles as visual arts faculty and gallery manager in non-profit arts settings, including Idyllwild Arts.
Artworks by Joann are included in collections across the country. Born in Minnesota, she lived and worked in Southern California for 41 years. While pieces of her heart continue to reside in CA, she now lives in the magnificent beauty of Sedona, Arizona.
Her sketchbook practice is the foundation of all her studio work. She typically explores images and concepts in series, working on several pieces concurrently.
Joann’s goals include making art daily; exhibiting to share her work out into the world; and in her artwork, expressing a sense of the joy and beauty of life.
CV
Selected Exhibitions
2023
Anything Goes, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Summer Exhibition, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Open Roads, Open Trails, Open Sky, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA (Painting featured show poster image.)
2022
Small, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Water, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Homage to Collage, Artists Center at the Galen, Palm Desert, CA
Summer Exhibition, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Made you Look, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Artists Council Exhibition, Juried Show, Artists Center at the Galen, Palm Desert, CA
2021
Roadtrip: Route 66, Hi-Desert Nature Museum, Yucca Valley, CA
Nature is Calling, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
2020
Uncertain Times, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta, CA
Isolation, Artspan.com
The Creative Mind of Women, Palm Springs Women’s Week, Barba Contemporary Art, Palm Springs, CA
2019
Autumn Color, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Roadtrip: Route 66 in California, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta, CA
2008-2019
Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts Summer Program, Idyllwild, CA
2018
Featured Artist Exhibition, Impressions of Earth and Sky, MAC Gallery, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Local Color, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta, CA
Chairs for Charity, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta, CA
The Moving Line, El Camino College Gallery, Torrance, CA Artist Lecture, February 27, 2018
2012-2018
Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
2014
Featured Artist Exhibition, Absolute Love, Courtyard Gallery, Idyllwild, CA
2012
Solo Exhibition, Fly, Café Aroma Gallery, Idyllwild, CA
Quilt Stories of the Inland Empire, Museum of History and Art, Ontario, CA
2006
Medley Open Studios, Idyllwild, Ca
1999
Featured Artist Exhibition, Courtyard Gallery, Idyllwild, CA
1998
Dos Damos Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
1994
Café Aroma Gallery, Idyllwild, CA
Teaching Experience
2015-2018
Gallery Manager and Full-time Visual Arts Faculty, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
2007-2015
Visual Arts Adjunct Faculty, Idyllwild Arts Academy and Summer Program, Idyllwild, CA
2007-2010
Teaching Artist, McCallum Theatre Institute, Palm Desert, CA
2002-2014
Founder, Organizer and Instructor, smARTS Project, Idyllwild Elementary School, Idyllwild, CA
Curatorial Projects
2018
Bearing Witness: Art and Advocacy, co-curated with David Reid-Marr, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Mother Tongue, co-curated with Mique’l Dangeli, PhD and Jennifer C. Vigil, PhD, Native American Arts Festival, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
2017
Fluid, The Changing Face of Gender Identity, co-curated with David Reid-Marr, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Louder than Words, co-curated with America Meredith. Native American Arts Festival, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
2016
Border Art/Arte Fronterizo, co-curated with Gerald Clarke, Jr. Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Between You and Me: There is No Distance, co-curated with Heidi McKinnon. Native American Arts Festival, Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA
2012-2015
Native American Arts Festival Invitational Exhibit, co-curator. Parks Exhibition Center, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild, CA