Joan was first introduced to the arts by her father, an accomplished artist from Wilmington, Delaware. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in Art education, she worked as an art teacher at the Sanford School in Hockessin, Delaware. She continued to study at the Philadelphia College of Art in the field of illustration.

After moving to North Carolina, Joan began freelance work in illustration and advertising design. This soon led to a position as an illustrator for the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Unit and the team in charge of the U.S.S. Monitor project.

Moving to Texas, Delaware, and Tennessee brought the Jannamans happy years raising their two boys. During this time Joan decided on a change in medium from pen & ink to painting in oil. Her study with portrait artist Jennifer Simpkins Emory launched this transition. Her emphasis is on Equine subjects. She studied painting with equine artist Larry Wheeler at the American Academy of Equine Art in Lexington, KY.

A childhood full of riding, showing, and caring for horses gave her the insight needed to appreciate the intricacies of depicting their form and spirit. Joan’s goal is to translate the love of her subjects into an heirloom portrait that becomes a treasured addition to your art collection.