I see the world around me in terms of light and captured moments – and often, the tiniest details become the focus of a larger story. I frame images of such details and moments in larger-format mats and frames to draw the viewer into the detail while simultaneously letting these details “take up space”, both physically and visually. In addition to photography, I am an accomplished jewelry designer, and I think that perhaps this attention to minuscule detail stems from this work. Another result of this work with metal, gems, and other natural materials is my obsession with texture, both visual and tactile.

My art is a reflection of my deep connection with nature, a bond that has been nurtured since childhood. As a self-taught artist, I have always found solace and inspiration in the natural world, where the delicate details of flowers and the vast, calming presence of the sea captivate me. These elements serve as the foundation of my creative process.

Working with acrylic paint and watercolors, I am drawn to the soft and bright hues of peaches and pinks, which have become signature tones in my work. These colors allow me to explore the gentle interplay of light and atmosphere, creating both serene and vibrant pieces. My paintings often take the form of dreamlike landscapes and impressionistic floral scenes, where reality merges with imagination, evoking a sense of peace and wonder.

Through my art, I aim to offer viewers a moment of tranquility and a reminder of the beauty that exists in the world around us. My work is an invitation to pause, breathe, and immerse oneself in the simple yet profound elegance of nature.

All my pieces are made with the process of hand felting and quilting un-spun sheep’s wool & silk. I use a combination of needle felting for some of the more detailed subjects, as well as wet felting. Wet felting is the process of creating a nonwoven fabric, with hot water, liquid soap & continuous compression, and I add bits of silk roving and un-spun silk hankies to add highlights and shiny details, where I think it will be beneficial for the image. Once my image is made and held all together, I use an industrial sewing machine to quilt around all of the imagery to create depth.

Beyond their scientific importance, photographs of outer space have a spiritually intoxicating effect on humans. The astrophotographs in Abstracting Eternity aim to capture this feeling by focusing on nebulae and galaxies, the massive clouds of gas and dust in which stars and their galaxies are born. Because nebulae represent the universe in the process of creation, still relatively formless, they lend themselves to a degree of abstraction that appeals to me as an artist. This takes my images a step away from pure science. I never want viewers to forget, though, that the photographs capture the universe as it was billions of light years ago—an eternity that inspires awe humbles us with our own insignificance, and puts our human troubles in perspective.

In 2020, I decided to spend over a year staying away from the city and camping in the desert in western Texas. I used various equipment, including a telescope and a monochrome camera, to capture color and luminance in the universe.

I am Joanne Meurer, an artist who thrives on the interplay of mood, music, and materiality. My creative journey is a fusion of passion and precision, where the rhythms of rock and jazz-funk electrify my canvas, igniting a symphony of color and texture.

As a graphic designer by trade, my work is defined by meticulous detail and deliberate composition. Yet, beneath the surface lies a wild spontaneity—an untamed energy that pulses with the complex cadences of electric guitar solos and soulful jazz melodies.
Music is my muse, infusing each piece with an ethereal vitality that transcends the ordinary.

Whether inspired by the pulsating beats of global events or the intimate whispers of my innermost thoughts, my art reflects the world as seen through the lens of my consciousness.

Exploring beyond the confines of traditional art, I embrace the challenge of sculpting three-dimensional forms that mirror the depth of my personality and aspirations. Like a master craftsman, I mold form and substance into expressions of dimensionality, inviting viewers to journey beyond the surface and uncover the hidden layers beneath.

When you encounter my work, what may initially appear as a distant tableau soon reveals itself as a vibrant tapestry of complexity and nuance. With each brushstroke and every note, I invite you to delve deeper into the kaleidoscope of my soul—a realm where light and shadow dance in harmony, where chaos and order merge to form a symphony of expression.

In every moment, in every creation, I rediscover myself—a seeker, a storyteller, a dreamer of boundless possibilities. Through my art, I invite you to join me on this timeless voyage of discovery, where the journey is as infinite as the creative spirit itself.

So many things I think about when I look far away. Things I know, things I wonder, things I’d like to say.

After 20 wonderful years of painting, I decided that it was a perfect time to explore different landscapes. After months of researching different regions, I settled on Nara Park Japan. I found the history and landscapes to be intoxicating.

My artwork is a direct reflection of the different seasons of the park. I like to work in acrylics on canvas to enhance all the emotions and colors that Nara has to offer. I use bright or muted colors to communicate the magic and essence of the ever-changing seasons. Even as I branch out to other mediums or subject matters, I’m always tempted to come back to Nara Park.

If a viewer stops for just a moment to reflect on a piece I have created and feels emotion from the thousands of colors captured on canvas that reflect the different seasons, then I have succeeded in my work.

My husband, a lover of energy drinks, often left empty cans behind. Instead of discarding them, I searched for a way to give these overlooked objects new life, which led to the creation of what I call “can decoration art.”

The process is challenging. Each can must be carefully cut into small pieces and assembled one by one. Even more demanding is imagining and designing each section so that every detail has its own unique character while still maintaining harmony in color, despite the limited patterns and shades available on the cans.

I am grateful to have exhibited my work at several art events, including the Art Exhibition in Pasadena (February 2025), the 58th Annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition (June 2025), and the 1st Thai Community of Fine Art Exhibition in Thai Town, Los Angeles (August 2025).

One of my artworks was selected to be featured in the Canadian art magazine Artistonish (October 2025), and another artwork was showcased in the Canadian online exhibition Unity 2025, organized by Gallerium.art (November 2025). I am also honored to have been selected as one of the artists for the Biafarin Awards 2025, held in December 2025.

The greatest joy comes from designing intricate details and hearing viewers say they never imagined cans could become such unique artworks. It fills me with great pride and happiness.

When we face adversity, whether it be loss, failure, or emotional upheaval, we are forced to confront vulnerabilities and weaknesses. It’s in this confrontation that healing and growth occur. Last year was a difficult year personally for me, as I lost my mother to cancer, and I was diagnosed with lymphoma. Through my treatment, I felt so overwhelmed by a range of emotions that eventually inspired my artwork. My current collection symbolizes the unique process of overcoming emotional trauma and evolving into a more resilient, gracious, and powerful version of oneself. Each piece is a visual and sensory narrative of my personal experience, a reflection of both the struggle and the eventual emergence of strength and clarity, or even a simple moment of gratitude for the earth’s gifts we receive. The works share not the grief and despair, but the rebirth and awakening of a new beginning by including imagery that inspires and connects with the viewers. My hope is to encourage, connect, console, and give hope to others who may need comfort in the notion that we are resilient creatures. Collaboratively, the collection of artwork is bright, expansive, full of vibrant colors, fluid lines, and forms that are whole or mended. Lavish underpaintings of mixed media and layers of emotion reflecting my personal evolution and a universal invitation to the audience to see the potential for resilience and hope in their own lives, no matter how difficult their journey may seem. “The Journey of Resilience” is a message of hope, gratitude, and perseverance to anyone sharing the same difficult path in life.

THE COLORS OF MY IMAGINATION

Why do I paint? I do not try to create on canvas, a “picture” of the external world that can be observed by all. Rather than look “outward”, my paintings are humble attempts to “look inward.”

My work has been described as having expressions of deep and primal emotion. In the case of my abstract paintings, I try to employ dynamic color, thickly-layered texture, bold lines, and unrestrained forms to express what I am feeling. It has been said that this painting explores the depths of spirituality and enters a realm of mystical and magical. And “yes”…I am a daydreamer, and my works truly have their origins in dreams and visions.

Bruce Sanders
Malibu, CA