Meet the Artist: JoAnn DePolo
By Kelli Comer
Local artist and author JoAnn DePolo creates in the abstract, putting brush to canvas to colorfully bring to life the world surrounding us with her unique, visually stunning approach.
“My faith motivates me to create with the goal to be a good steward of my artistic abilities and share the creative experience with others,” JoAnn says.
“The inspiration for my paintings is diverse, as it is drawn from many sources. I am fascinated by the immensity of the ocean. I am captivated by the vastness of space. I am uplifted by music. I gain insight through current events. All of these sources, for me, generate refreshing, new conceptual abstract perspectives for me to translate into visual art.”
JoAnn cultivates each of her works without limits or boundaries, and it encourages viewers to search beyond the obvious and to visualize concepts that go unnoticed or are unintentionally buried. The music composed by her twin sons—Jared and Andrew DePolo, the Twin Composers—serves as another source of creativity.
“I see color, form and depth within their orchestral compositions then translate that into visual compositions through paint on canvas,” JoAnn explains. “Creating abstract paintings invigorates me. For now, I feel it’s the only form of visual art where I can truly bring my unique point of view to life.”
JoAnn started her career in the artistic world as a professional photographer and was employed by a nationwide portrait studio for several years. She then became a freelance photographer before discovering her visual artistic abilities later in life. A self-taught painter, JoAnn credits master artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Cezzane, Renoir and Pollock as her teachers through her research into their painting techniques, as well as their personal and art history. After her in-depth study and practicing with much trial and error, JoAnn established the confidence to create in her own painting style and technique.
“The painting process involved with my work varies with each painting,” says JoAnn. “My painting process ranges from applying thick paint using palette knives to applying transparent paint and at times a combination of both in one piece. I love to see a thought become visible by means of color and through the movement of an artist’s hand that generates energy throughout a painting.”
JoAnn DePolo Studios & Gallery will be relocating from North Olmsted to a new location in the new year. Stay tuned to JoAnn’s social media for new location updates in Spring 2022. To learn more about the artist’s work and to see her event schedule, visit JoAnnDePolo.net, email artistjoanndepolo@gmail.com or call 440-320-0900. For regular updates, follow JoAnn on Facebook @JoAnnDePoloStudios.