Today we’d like to introduce you to Joan Sanchez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, everything started about six years ago, I was struggling to cope with my PTSD after retiring from the Army in 2014. I tried many things to cope with it, therapy, yoga, gardening but something was missing. Then in 2015, my wife was getting ready to go Miami to meet her newborn granddaughter Julissa, and before she left, she told me “why you don’t try to draw or paint, I have been told that you got some skills but I never see you doing art.” So she left and next day to an art and crafts store and bought some materials. When she returned, I have painted a fruit basket in honor of Julissa. She looked at me and told me, “this is it my love, I believe this is where you should dedicate for now on. Then I went to Crealdé looking to take some basic courses to build my foundation. There I met the artist/teacher Barbara Tiffany with whom I began to take classes. The student found the teacher, the teacher found the student. From that point on everything started change in my personal life, Art became my medicine and a beautiful journey which I am deeply submerged.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Art is a long journey, full of joy, frustration, deceptions and challenges. It demands a lot of dedication, commitment and sacrifice to elevate your craft. But all of that is worth it because of the joy, the appreciation of life and nature and the growth of the spirit that I’m experiencing every day. I am what they call a late bloomer, but I compensate with hard work and my desire for learning.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is and honest representation of the things and moments that captivated my eyes, my mind and my heart. My love for all forms of nature(plants, flowers, the sky, the sea and humans) is palpable in all my work. I do that by using harmonious colors and natural light which Mother Nature provides in her resplendent pallet and brilliant light transitions. Guiding the path for me as an artist and the viewer. I am proud of my growth as a human and of my re-connection with society and the community. Some of my favorite pieces are “Alicia”, “Julissa”, and “Calmness Within”.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To always stay humble and to share your knowledge with others, specifically with the new generations.
Contact Info:
- Email: joan.sanchez1971@gmail.com
- Website: www.emanuellisart.com
- Instagram: @emanuelli9
Image Credits
1-Calmness Within 2-Julissa 3-Studio 1A Essence 4-Water Lilies Trio 4-Mandarines
