Joanne Onorato Fine Art

Artist Statement:

"A native New Yorker, I have lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington for over 25 years. My oil paintings of the Pacific Northwest capture the images and endless illuminated forms that express my awe of the extraordinary place where I live during an ordinary moment.

I love to paint! For me, it's all about the natural light. That's what draws me in. I intuitively explore how to move paint to capture the glorious light that I see through the trees, on a whimsical branch, a beach, or a flower. When I paint, my subject evolves on my canvas, brush stroke by brush stroke, every moment changing with the light. I scrape, pull and layer. I am spellbound!

I have studied art my whole life and worn many hats as an artist. I was a commercial billboard painter in NYC and LA. I studied art at several universities and studied at the Art Students League in NYC. I worked at the Museum of Natural History in New York, restoring murals, and directed and painted murals at Pike Place Market in Seattle. Through Winslow Art Center I continue to take workshops with renowned contemporary artists from around the world!.

My work has been shown in numerous galleries and juried shows and can be found in national and international private collections. It is also on display nationwide at Panera Bread. I am a member of Plein Air Washington Painters and love the adventures of painting outdoors and experiencing the light, fragrance and sounds around me.

Thank you for learning about me and my artwork. I am grateful to share my personal experience and inspiration gathered from my magical Pacific Northwest environment and welcome you to join me in my painting journey.