About

Creating art has been Joanna’s greatest passion since first picking up a pencil. Initially inspired by dinosaurs, animals, and cartoons, she drew almost everyday and hasn’t stopped. This love took her to the Kansas City Art Institute to learn animation. After achieving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2011, her interest shifted to more illustrative works with a focus on fan art and original characters.
 
Recent years have brought her closer to her own voice by inventing original, bold imagery that merges ideas from the natural world with mysterious themes in a style that is heavily influenced by tattoo art. However, her love for dinosaurs was never a phase, and she still loves drawing them the most.
 
Born, raised, and currently creating in Kansas City, MO with her husband Justin and their 2 dogs, Pepper and Stella.

Professional Works

Parade of Hearts KC 2024

5′ x 5′ fiberglass heart hand-painted with Kansas City Zoo theme. The peacock as a symbol of Kansas City pride with the indented \”KC\” in transparent white on the front, and a mirrored collage of various zoo and aquarium animals on the back, starting with the sea creatures on the bottom, working up through land animals and ending with birds towards the top in a rainbow gradient to evoke a sense of joy and in celebration of Kansas City’s diverse cultural backgrounds. This heart was displayed at Mimi’s Pantry, a non-profit in Riverside, MO from April through August of 2024, then auctioned for charity.

Big Rip Brewing Co Mural

Haunted forest mural to accompany the brewery’s “Cabin in the Woods” themed event space. Two rows of stylized trees against a sky at dusk, stars above, and over 50 hidden horror and sci-fi easter eggs in the trees and surrounding areas. Spanning over several walls, roughly 80′ x 20′ total. Completed in June 2021 over the course of 6 months.

https://bigripbrewing.com/event-space-private-parties-and-tours/

Gamers for Good

Accepted fanart piece for Gamers for Good presents Undertale, a charity art book publication from 2016. Originally 11″ x 17″ done with pen, marker, and colored pencil on bristol board.