Joanne Holtje
Joanne Holtje spent her childhood exploring the woods, fields, and riverbanks of her hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. She received her BA from Tufts University, and after a brief adventure on the West coast, returned to make the Bay State her home. Since 2006 she has exhibited in local, regional, and national shows including the Concord Art Association, Massachusetts Artists Biennial, Fitchburg Art Museum, and the Danforth Museum. Her work appears in the book, "Creating Abstract Art", by Dean Nimmer. Joanne continues her art making now in Western Massachusetts, and has been a member of The Oxbow Gallery in Northampton since 2015.
Artist Statement:
"Vigorous, expressive mark making and bold, expressive colors are signature elements in my artwork. I am often inspired by the natural landscape and embrace the aspects of growth, decay, transience and resilience. My process is intuitive and spontaneous and while not particularly cathartic, the resulting imagery is rich with emotional content. When I am working on a piece, it is like I am in conversation with the paint. When I get to show work, it is more like flowing discussion at a party: everyone who engages brings their own history and sensibility, enriching the entire experience."
