ABOUT

In Joanna Paola’s recent body of work, she explores themes of transformation and navigating the unknown. Her process often starts with identifying an emotion and posing a model to embody that feeling. She focuses on drawing the figure first, capturing the body’s gestures, facial expressions and subtle nuances that will guide how the work will evolve. Using charcoals as a medium lets her move quickly and intuitively, embracing the imperfections and allowing the piece to grow organically. Joanna pushes, pulls, adds and subtracts light and shadows to reveal what lies beneath the surface. Flowers, plants, insects, and animals emerge, overlapping and intertwining with the figure as layers and layers are added creating a feeling of depth, motion and mystery. The result takes the viewer on a journey of discovery that combines symbolism, mysticism, and transcendence.

Joanna Paola was born in Lima, Peru and immigrated to the United States at age 6. She comes from a long line of creatives and was drawn to graphic design, where she made her career for two decades. In 2021 she began painting full time and transitioned to a career as a fine artist. She lives in Los Angeles.