How Joann Renner’s Art Sheds Light on Environmental Issues

In this interview on our Women In Arts Network, we sit down with Joann Renner—an accomplished fine artist, content writer, and passionate advocate for women, community, and the environment. Joann opens up about her creative journey, how she found her way back to art after personal and medical challenges, and the decisive role that resilience plays in both her life and work.

She shares what it was like growing up between the boardwalks of Seaside Heights and the quiet of York, PA, how mentors like her first painting teacher shaped her path, and how she now uses oils and pastels to explore forgotten spaces, spiritual connection, and the urgent need to care for our planet.

Through this conversation, we learn what it means to carve out a space for your art amid life’s demands, how to set boundaries for creative time, and why connecting with supportive communities can make all the difference. Joann’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to reclaim your voice, follow your passions, and leave a meaningful legacy.

Joann Renner is a formally trained fine artist and content writer who has overcome trauma and medical issues by “grabbing the bull by the horns”, refusing to give up on herself and her passions. She seeks to inspire others to move forward fearlessly, regardless of their circumstances, so that they are encouraged to thrive on their unique paths and raise awareness about the impact of climate change issues. Her primary work is in Expressionist and Surrealist painting, utilising themes of discovering our unseen connections, a sense of experience and place, while exploring forgotten or overlooked spaces. Joann is deeply passionate about helping others connect with their resilience by exploring environmental issues, women’s spirituality, and community legacy and historical preservation.

Published artist, author, and current member of the Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League. The Professional Artist Association and the Art Queens Society. During the late 1960s and 1970s, she grew up in York, PA, and Seaside Heights, NJ, alternating between the two. She earned her BA in Studio Art/Fine Art at the University of Pittsburgh, PA, in 1986. She has had four solo exhibitions and participated in numerous juried and non-juried group exhibitions, including virtual exhibitions. Current member of the Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League and The Art Queens Society. Most recently, she is a featured artist in “Art and Woman”, a hardbound collectors’ book curated and published by the Arts to Hearts Project, an international arts organisation for women artists.

1. Who are some of your biggest influences or mentors in the art world?

I’m originally from York, PA and Seaside Heights, NJ, alternately. Growing up on the boardwalk, collecting shells, and watching the constantly changing vastness of the ocean gave me a deep appreciation for nature. It was there that, as a child, I met Rhoda Shapiro, a pastel portraitist, who gave me my first painting lessons in oils and pastels, which continued into my teenage years. Of course, my college professors played a crucial role in my artistic development. In the last five years or so, I have found so many kindred spirits online, especially women artists, who have been incredibly supportive. Contemporary artists such as Gia Cacalano, Ekaterina Popova, Jovanitha Le Long, Crista Cloutier, Leah Guzman, Samantha Kaplan, and many others have become not only friends but also mentors. Without them, I may not have recommitted to the path of an artist’s life.

Even though I graduated art school, the assumption was that the female students were only looking for marriage prospects, not careers. But art kept tugging at me—and I never let go.

Joann Renner

2. What media and techniques do you primarily work with?

I prefer oils and pastels for my main body of work, but I also enjoy experimenting with acrylics and collage for fun. Oils have a vibrancy and richness that doesn’t feel “plastic” to me. It’s a joy to have the creative time to work with each layer as they don’t dry quickly. I do use non-yellowing Liquin by Winsor & Newton to help speed the drying time, making oils easier to work with than traditional mediums. Soft pastels lend an immediacy to making marks and are highly versatile, ranging from loose work to excellent detail. They’re wonderful for plein air painting too!

3. How do you balance your personal life with your art career?

That’s a tough one in lots of ways! I grew up in a traditional home with traditional expectations. I always considered myself a nonconformist, but society puts up formidable barriers that prevent women from achieving the independence necessary to achieve their dreams. Even though I graduated from art school, the assumption was that female students were primarily seeking marriage prospects, rather than careers. So I did marry and raise a family, but art kept tugging at me. As a mom, it was tough to find time and energy to create.

Now that my kids are adults, they are fully supportive of my work. Setting loving boundaries has been the best tool for me to carve out time for creating. I now have a dedicated studio space where I go, which makes it easier, and it is respected as my space. It took nearly 30 years for my husband to accept my need for independent time. As for household responsibilities, I set flexible blocks of time for specific tasks to ensure some studio time. It also helps that I consider time spent thinking about art, issues affecting my creative practice, and the business end of things as being equally acceptable and important as actual creative time.

4. How do you see your legacy as an artist, and what do you hope to be remembered for?

Legacy is something I recently started thinking about. With all the chaos and uncertainty worldwide, my kids are now adults, and as I enter my early 60s, I hope to be remembered for my love of community, the natural world, and embracing life on my own terms.

By looking at forgotten and overlooked spaces that we tend to ignore in our day-to-day routines, we can reconnect with nature and ourselves.

Joann Renner

5. What do you hope people take away from experiencing your art?

I hope that my work will help people engage with their surroundings in a fresh, new way. By examining forgotten and overlooked spaces that often go unnoticed in our daily routines, we can reconnect with nature and ourselves. When we appreciate our surroundings, we can be better stewards of the Earth, our communities, and ourselves. Even community identity is based on our connections to our surroundings, such as historical buildings that are often lost during gentrification or war, which can lead to displacement and even the loss of culture and individual identity.

Joann Renner’s journey reminds us that creativity isn’t always a straight line—it’s a path filled with rediscovery, resilience, and a sense of purpose. We’ve learned how life’s challenges can become fuel for creative expression, how setting boundaries and finding community support can help keep the creative flame alive, and how art can be a powerful voice for both personal healing and environmental awareness. Her story is a beautiful reminder that no matter where you are in life, your voice matters, your art matters, and it’s never too late to show up for your passions. To learn more about Joann, visit the links below.