“All of the amazing colours in nature whether dark or light, bright or subdued, make me smile. Bright colours are often very present in my work. My goal is to spread that smile to everyone who views my paintings. My paintings are often described as happy. I like that”, says Joanne of her work.

Joanne Coughlin is a Calabogie based contemporary and abstract artist who has been creating art for over forty years. She grew up in Quebec City where she began painting landscapes in oil. 

After completing a degree in Commerce from the University of New Brunswick, she moved to Ottawa and started a career and family. She continued to create art in many forms. She owned and operated a home-based business called JC Designs which focused on creating hand painted clothing sold at local art fairs. She also co-owned a women’s tennis apparel business called Racquet Rags in the early 1990’s. 

After a thirty-one-year career in Government and the Aviation Industry, she retired in 2008 and moved to a lake outside of Ottawa with her husband and Golden Doodle and renewed her love of art. She has been painting full time ever since. 

Although mostly self-taught Joanne has completed numerous art classes and workshops in Canada and the USA. She is a member of The Ottawa Art Association and the West Carleton Art Society.