About the Artist :: JoAnne Houlsen
JoAnne Houlsen knew from an early age that she would paint one day, and has worked toward that goal all her life. Holding a B.A. in Studio Art and a B.S. in Education, both from the University of Maine, she now is a full-time artist, spending most of her time painting and giving art lessons at her studio in Bangor, Maine.
Inspired by all that she sees, she primarily focuses on landscapes. Becoming completely involved in what is happening around her, from clouds in the sky on a windy day, to the fragrance in the air near the sea or a flower garden; all serve to influence the experience, as she creates each painting. Many of her works are inspired by the memories evoked from photographs she’s taken through the years. That initial inspiration, the spark that caused her to want to document what she had seen, is then reproduced within her work.
As an art teacher, she stresses the importance of truly seeing and understanding what one is looking at, in order to transfer that vision onto canvas. Learning to conceptualize the relationship between an object and how it will relate to the overall painted image is something she takes pride in stressing regularly.
Ms. Houlsen’s work has been shown in exhibits throughout Maine, including the Group Show in the offices of Senator Susan Collins and several exhibits over the years at the University of Maine.
She received the Outstanding Achievement Award, University of Maine, Orono for the design and construction of a Ceremonial Mace.