Monarch – Fragile Flight Fragile World

The migratory Monarch butterfly is a bellwether or "indicator species" for the entire earth ecosystem, key to pollination of the vegetation which feeds our world. Their U.S. population dropped over 80% since the 1990s due totally to human-caused factors. Human-caused climate change has ushered in extreme weather events and shifting seasonal temperatures which disrupt their migratory patterns. Herbicides eradicated milkweed, their pupas' only food source. Deforestation and pesticides are further exacerbating habitat loss. Their endangered status signals broader ecosystem distress, in turn impacting humans by threatening pollination for food crops (fruits, vegetables) and disrupting food webs that support birds and other wildlife. (World Wildlife Federation & International Union for Conservation of Nature)

Joan was born and raised in Philadelphia, where her lifelong impulse to interpret the world through visual art first took root. She began formal painting studies in the Chicagoland area in the early 2000s, training for two decades under artist Enid Silverman and embracing Silverman’s deep affection for oil on canvas. Her work reflects the influence of frequent moves and travels within the US and abroad. Adopting North Dallas as home in the 2020's, her life experiences and travels continue to shape her evolving artistic language. Each new life chapter becomes a catalyst for transformation on the canvas, reflecting an ever-deepening dialogue between her inner experience and the world around her.