Joan was born in Goole in the North East, but as a young girl moved with her parents and sister to Newlyn, Cornwall. She grew up riding ponies from an early age and eventually hunted with the Western Hounds and the North Cornwall Hunt. “I cannot remember learning to ride” she says “it’s something I seem to always have done……” Her late husband was a well known horseman, breeder and past Master of Foxhounds for East Cornwall and Joan whipped-in to him, running the hunt kennels from their Oldhay Farm on the fringes of Bodmin Moor. Some noted hunters and point to pointers have come from the Oldhay Stables under Joans training.

Her painting also developed steadily as she grew up and she attended the Penzance School of Art and the College of Arts & Crafts in Hull for her formal training, and turned professional in the 1980’s. Her ability in her field of equestrian art received the highest recognition when two of her paintings were selected for the tenth exhibition by the Society of Equestrian Artists at the Westminster Gallery, London.

Her portfolio of studies include Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners Desert Orchid and Beech Road, although she is equally happy to capture moorland ponies grazing, wildlife, working horses or domestic pets - her range of subjects has great appeal to many fans. Joan always seeks the assistance of photographs when starting a new canvas. For her equestrian paintings she says that you have to know horses, know how to feel to paint them properly – and always completes her pictures from the living models.

Joan will consider all types of commissioned studies and is happy to discuss your requirements before you commit to ordering your original artwork. Her studio in Launceston overlooks the commanding view of the Tamar Valley with Dartmoor creating a fine backdrop in the distance – an inspiration for any artist.