Joann Renner Verified listing

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 go fearlessly forward regardless of their circumstances, so that people are encouraged to thrive on their own unique paths, and to bring awareness to climate change issues.

Her primary work is in Expressionist/Surrealist painting, using themes of looking for our unseen connections, a sense of experience and place, while exploring forgotten or overlooked subjects.  Joann is deeply passionate about helping others connect with their own resilience by exploring environmental issues, women’s spirituality, and community legacy/historical preservation with her art exhibitions, public speaking engagements, content creation, and educational workshops. 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-70s she grew up in York, PA and Seaside Heights, NJ alternately. She earned her BA Studio Art/Fine Art at the University of Pittsburgh, PA in 1986. She has had 4 solo exhibitions, and participated in numerous juried and nonjuried 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 organization for women artists. Joann is also featured in the inaugural publication of The Art Queens Quarterly Vol. 1 (AQ1), a hardbound collectors book highlighting the work of several members of the Art Queens Society, curated by Ekaterina Popova and published by Create! magazine, https://www.artqueens.co/aq-quarterly. The pastel painting, "Salmon Run", was featured in  "Nocturnal Canvas 2" (Aug. 2023), a collaborative concert of art and music presented by world-renowned composer and pianist Margin Alexander, where original music was composed specifically for each artwork. In Dec. 2023, Joann was a guest on the podcast, Intuitive Art Sales with Jessica Craddock, Episode 59 - Joann Renner, available on Spotify.

Her pastel "Fancy Tulips" was selected and featured on the cover of a collaborative 2023 calendar/planner project by a group of 80+ women artists. The acrylic abstract painting "Renewal" was selected as one of the designs for an inspirational affirmation card deck collaboration by a group of women artists. In April 2023, she was an exhibitor with over 100 artists in "Make A Marc", an exhibition focused on bringing awareness to the wrongful detention by Russia of Pittsburgh teacher, Marc Fogel. The oil painting, "Hallway", is the cover art of a poetry book "Music from a Farther Room" by John Hughes. In 2015 she completed a project for a local startup thoroughbred racing stable; business graphics, designed jockey silks & an oil painting for the owner.

Joann is also a co-author of  a #1 international bestselling book collaboration about creativity titled "The Creative Lifebook 2: Radical Self-Love" released on Aug. 16, 2023. The Creative Lifebook series is published by IlluminateOurWorld.com  (Jess Hughes Media). https://www.amazon.com/author/joann-renner

She is currently residing in Pittsburgh, PA, where she participates in local art festivals, markets and exhibitions, and is preparing a line of sustainable wearable art and home accessories along with her painting collections.