Instructor Bio             

For over 25 years, I worked as a non-fiction writer/journalist and a travel photographer. One day I took up watercolor on a lark, and soon became pleasantly obsessed with it.   

Unfortunately, the two classes I took (both with accomplished professional artists) never covered the basics of working with watercolor, and left me confused and frustrated. As I taught myself from books (back in the Stone Age, before YouTube), I began to put together the course I wish I'd been able to take -- this course, Watercolor for Absolute Beginners.

I love teaching, and have taught at every level from third grade through graduate school and adult education. Here's what some of my watercolor students have said about this class (unsolicited testimonials, honest):

“Joan sets a tone in the class that makes it easy to experiment and take risks -- a real necessity with this medium. She's also very knowledgeable."

“You’re a terrific teacher — you have given me so much joy through your guidance!”

"Her enthusiasm and helpfulness reduced my fears about
trying something new."

"She's terrific -- encouraging, enthusiastic, and supportive."

“Your Zoom classes were the highlight of my year.”

"I can't imagine a better watercolor teacher.”

Check out the Student Work link above, and see what other self-described “talent-free” students were able to paint after just a few weeks or months.

My studio classes are never more than 5 to 7 people, so everyone gets individual, personal attention every week. Zoom classes are up to 10 people, with close-up demos of all the techniques; interaction and questions are always encouraged.

I'm very proud to say that a few years ago, when I offered this course through CourseHorse, my classes were rated #1 of all the Painting/Art courses offered on CourseHorse's website (rated 4.76 out of 5 by my students).

A feature article on my "Underground" series of subway paintings is featured in the October 2015 issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine. A sample is here:  Watercolor Artist

The New York City Transit Museum in Brooklyn featured my "Underground" subway paintings in a solo show from April 2016 through January 2017.

In 2014 The New School in New York hosted my first solo show; later that year, one of my subway paintings was featured in the George Billis Gallery's "Industrial Beauty" show in Chelsea, New York.

I've been honored to have my paintings accepted into several top international juried competitions: The American Watercolor Society in April 2016, where one of my subway paintings won the Winsor & Newton Award, and in the 2012 and 2013 National Watercolor Society's Exhibitions in Los Angeles.

Other New York exhibits include the Allied Artists of America Annual Exhibitions, the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Exhibit, and a solo exhibit at the Metropolitan College of New York in the financial district.

Watercolor is an endlessly versatile medium, one I still study at the Art Students League as well as in workshops with master watercolorists.

My "Underground" series of subway paintings, artist statement, etc. is on my website at http://joaniaconetti.com/

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