Meet Joanne Burney | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joanne Burney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joanne, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
At first the business was just a promise, based on a stockpile of drawings and ideas. As an artist, I would come home from a full-time, regular job and draw well into the night. I told myself when I reached certain goals I would start my own business. Concurrent to reaching those goals, I was among a large group who were “down-sized” from the company, and I took that as a sign. The balance of work then shifted to painting at all hours and fitting in life’s needs as necessary.

Shortly after I began my business I met my future husband. I began to dedicate my weekends to him. After we married, the balance of business and work shifted further in favor of establishing a home life, as the business took a back seat. I noticed that I paid a price for that, but one has to continually prioritize and choose and I’ve made my choices accordingly.

Now that the home life has settled, the balance has shifted again, with the business taking more of my energy and attention. I have learned that maintaining a balance is tricky and depends more on my sense of well-being than it does on any other consideration.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As an artist doing two-dimensional work (painting and drawing) I do both representational and abstract work, and have won awards for both, which is unusual in the art world. For years I built my business as a portrait artist but in this part of the country portrait art is not supported as it is on the East coast. I found it more lucrative to paint other subjects so I branched out (no pun intended) into other subjects, especially intimate landscapes, focusing especially on doing “portraits” of trees.

Trees are particularly fascinating to me because they are at the apex of the plant world, as people are at the apex of the animal world. Unlike humans, trees cannot move; they must stay and endure. When they are acted upon they remain as records of history, weather, environment, human activity.

I take great pleasure in having people tell me how my paintings have increased their appreciation of trees and the beauty of the world because if them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Rocky Mountain National Park, and to the museums around Denver, like the Denver Art Museum, the Vance Kirkland and Clifford Still. I’d suggest they visit the Great Sand Dunes but doubt I’d have the energy to take them there in the same week.

Then I’d make BBQ and we’d hang out in my garden.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While I have many supportive, loyal clients, students, colleagues and friends, the most important love, support and encouragement has come from my husband, Brad Hunter. He has been here for the whole ride and has never failed me.

Website: https://jburneystudios.fineartstudioonline.com/