We were lucky to catch up with JoAnn Houle recently and have shared our conversation below.

JoAnn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I decided that I wanted to be an artist in 6th grade after winning a drawing contest at my school and my teacher started teaching us art on Fridays. Back then I wasn’t sure what an art job was really, but I imagined I’d be a comic strip artist or children’s book illustrator.

JoAnn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is JoAnn Houle and I have been drawing and painting most of my life. I consider myself a figurative artist as most of my work has involved people or animals. I was born and raised in North Dakota and earned my B.F.A. from the University of North Dakota with the help of Art and Native American scholarships. In 2006 I moved to the St. Louis area where my son was born and I found work as a Kitchen Designer. One day a man came in to buy a countertop for a screen printing shop he was building. I asked if he was hiring, told him I was an artist, and got hired as his first employee. 6 months later we fell in love and have spent the past 14 years co-running the shop until last year, when I was able to go all in on my art. I have been showing and selling my art locally and online since 2011 and am now working on theme based collections. My next art exhibit will be at Saks Fifth Avenue this fall, Oct 1 – Nov 30, and I am choosing the theme for it right now.

My first drawings were with pencil and paper, or whatever was available, then moved on to ink, sharpies and watercolors in high school. I had fun with a lot of huge Where’s Waldo type scenes with characters that I would add in. College exposed me to a variety of mediums and techniques, which helped form my own style. I started showing my work at fairs, galleries, and on social media, which grew my fan base and created a lot of opportunities.

I’m currently working on the beginning stages of a collection for a fall show at Saks Fifth Avenue. I’m always evolving and my perspective on what’s possible is always expanding, which is reflected in my art. I also imagine collaborating somehow with people in fashion, interior design or surface pattern design because I love that stuff too. It would be a dream to someday collaborate with brands I love and admire.

I often hear that my art makes clients space feel happier, more interesting and pulled together. Also, I’m told that my commission portraits are heartwarming, especially if it’s of a loved one or a pet that has passed. I take both of these types of projects seriously and am honored that they trust in me.

I’d say my style is unique, and despite my material and subject changes through the years, people still say that they can tell it’s mine. I put a lot of effort and emotion into my work and I think that’s why it connects with people.

I’m super proud of my resilience and ability to grow, which I have become much better at as I mature. Professionally, last year was huge for me. I had my biggest show ever with 45 new fashion-inspired drawings, which resulted in two magazine covers, a quarter page color article in a local newspaper, a guest spot on a you tube channel and even more opportunities that are still playing out. It was so great having all my family and friends at the opening reception party, and I also had a proud moment when I mailed copies of the magazines and newspaper articles to my parents.

I feel like I’m just getting started and entering a new era in my life unlike any other. I’ve been developing my art for 30 years and have a style that really connects with people. I’m excited to see what direction this next collection goes and can’t wait to share it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to get to know myself and stay on this art path my 10 year old self chose. That lil version of me is always watching and waiting to see what’s next. Lately I’ve begun to wonder what my legacy will be, what will I leave behind, and what do I have to say? This curiosity is now a conscious part of my journey too.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love being in my studio. Expressing myself through art feels so incredible. Some of my most rewarding experiences have been at my opening reception parties, when someone says they love my work, when someone loves a piece so much they buy it, and when I get asked to do a commission piece – especially when it’s a surprise gift or a memorial piece that I know is going to help someone’s heart feel a little better.

Contact Info:

• Website: joannhoule.com
• Instagram: joannhoule
• Facebook: joannhouleart