Joan Barenbregge
Contemporary Artist
Joan Barenbregge is a native of Pennsylvania where she currently resides. She has been an artist for 30+ years, allowing for a few gaps with family and various Graphic Design projects. Joan has been active in the local art community, particularly since 2007 when she opened Élan Gallery on Broad Street, Sewickley, PA. During its five-year run, Joan curated and presented over 30 exhibits featuring some of the region's most highly accomplished artists.
Preferring to work in acrylic with its quick drying properties, the medium supports Joan’s intuitive process, her use of energetic marks, and her confident strokes.
Joan’s practice will continue to expand her abstract vocabulary and intuitive approach to her work. Joan looks forward to following discoveries and inspirations from her intention to express honesty in her art.
Statement:
As a child you could find me sitting in the branches of my favorite backyard tree. I spent hours listening to the breeze against the leaves, and building tree houses with friends. These are memories and experiences that formed my introduction to visual perception. The positive and negative space between the trees, the contrasts of light and shadow, all of these and more, building a lifelong desire to follow a path of curiosity and a deep desire to study the arts. Resulting in receiving a BFA from Edinboro University, Edinboro, PA 1975 and a BS in Graphic Design at LaRoche University Pittsburgh, PA 1989.
My abstract work is influenced by organic shapes and found objects. As I create repetitive patterns, a rhythm and energy develops and urges the next color, mark or shape to place on the canvas. I feel most connected and immersed in my work when adding reductive and layering techniques as I build each element's strengths. Each painting begins with the intent to play, by laying down marks, paint and shapes freely, without thinking. Every stroke on the canvas or panel informs the next. I keep in mind the elements of design, strength, color, simplicity, and energy as I invite the viewer in, to look, to feel and to engage.