November 2023 Featured 2-D Artist JoAnn LaPadula

JoAnn LaPadula is an award-winning artist who resides in Fort Myers, where she moved from the Finger Lake Region of New York State. She is a member of Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers Beach Art Association, Hirdie Girdie Gallery and the SanCap Art League. Her work has been featured on the cover of the SpotLight Magazine, Sand Life Magazine, in Gulfshore Life and in the Florida Watercolor Society online exhibit. Some of her works reside in collections as far away as Guantanamo and California.

After working graphic design for 30 years, retirement gave her the opportunity to return to her interest in fine arts and she began painting in watercolor. Her signature style features a blowing/spraying technique and negative painting. “I was not interested in the traditional watercolor form, so I attended a few workshops to find my own style,” said JoAnn. “I say I am more of a ‘colorful’ abstract/realist rather than a traditional watercolor artist. Here in SWFL I am thrilled to say I was able to find people who have been a great inspiration to me, and I found the support I needed to begin my second career.” In addition to creating her own artwork she tries to inspire others by teaching a one-day workshop.