From puppet heads to portraits

Artwork by Joan

I started my work/art life as a puppeteer and puppet head maker in London. I loved the theater, but the most challenging and creative part was carving puppet heads into actors with strong characters.

Several years later I moved to the US and tried to start a puppet theater, but found that the art form was not taken seriously. Sadly and reluctantly I had to give it up.

Meanwhile, I had started working at an assisted living. The first thing I noticed ware the beautiful matured faces carved by personality and passing years. My fascination with creating character morphed into capturing real people, in oil on canvas.

Over the next many years I taught myself as best as I could the fundamentals. I painted in the middle of the night as this was the only time I was free from work and family duties. I took a course here and there but couldn’t afford and didn’t have the time for a serious art course.

I have always been fascinated my the Old Masters’ paintings, especially the Dutch portraits. To me, the Old Masters define art.

Now at the age of 70 it would be a dream come true to finally be able to take a course teaches the skills of these master artists.

joanglinert.com