Painting with Joanne is a great experience. I had never painted before the class, and now I am hooked. Joanne is able to address all the questions her students have -- even when they all ask her questions at the same time! She helps through the conceptualization and evolution of a painting, often pointing students to already- existing works to inspire them towards new ideas. Her class has helped me see the world in a new way.-Andrew, student for 1 year

Despite being an art major, I've learned more oil painting technique since I graduated than I ever did in college, thanks to Joanne's knowledge of Old Master techniques. She is utterly unique: most teachers are either laidback and open-minded or else uptight and sticklers for tradition. Joanne is the best of both: she teaches specific techniques while simultaneously encouraging creative growth and exploration. She never discourages, even while giving criticism. It's a delight to watch her work with young and old, experienced and novice, with an ease that comes with years of teaching. I feel both more grounded in reality and freer to explore, thanks to Joanne's instruction. -Beth, student for 2 years

It was only one year ago that I had the pleasure and fortune to meet Joanne. I started taking painting classes with her once a week and then gradually increased the extent of class time to two days. I had taken painting classes at collages before, and would usually drop after the first two or three attempts. In general, I did not feel that I was advancing, partially due to the traditional teaching style of the professors. As a matter of fact, I thought I disliked painting and never used color in landscape and architectural renderings that I would produce for clients. But everything changed when I met Joanne, with extraordinary patience, dedication and love, she taught me the basic fundamentals for working with oils, the way there were used by the old maters of the renaissance. We would sit and paint for hours, sometimes taking brakes and going over books with classical paintings, she taught me how to interpret the work, how to master the technique and overall inspired my artistic career.

Joanne did not teach me how to paint, she taught me to experience the pleasure of painting, she taught me to appreciate the beauty in all things, which, in turn, have contributed greatly in all of my work. I felt touched in so many ways. I could not stop painting! I loved it, so much that I turned a bedroom at home into an art studio, where I would and continue to paint after class. I started appreciating color and seeing color in everything natural or built. Black was never black, it was blue, purple, red and sometimes green. As time progressed, painting with Joanne became sophisticated and complex, I had the desire to advance and she would constantly push me to try harder, to improve. What looked like a finished painting for me, looked like a work in progress for her. Joanne would have me sit at her side while she physically showed me how to fix or improve a certain part of my painting, this required a lot of her time and effort, but this is how she knew I would learn. She did the same with other students. She has a passion and true love for teaching, it shows, and as a student I felt her desire to transmit her knowledge to me, unselfishly and unconditionally, expecting the best of her students, without imposing her style, and assisting me/us throughout the process.

Her influence on my painting went beyond any original expectations that I had. She opened an artistic sense that I never knew I possessed. Her persuasion, dedication and love for teaching have lead to my first art exhibit in Downtown Los Angeles. Joanne was, continues to be the stepping-stone for this new beginning, and I have seen this effect on others as well. My highest recommendations to the best teacher I ever had.

-Eugenia, student for 1 year