JONI WALKER

Joni Walker began to draw as soon as she could hold a pencil. A lifelong resident of rural Indiana, she immersed herself in the beauty of the outdoors, spending countless hours sketching, coloring and letting her imagination roam free.

Today, the birds and blossoms that live and bloom in her backyard inspire her watercolor paintings.

“Painting has led me to create habitats that attract birds, butterflies, bees and other creatures,” says the Columbia City artist. “I love knowing that my paintings might be the only chance someone may have to see a nuthatch or warbler up close or the detail in the petals of a flower.”

Joni observes and photographs her surroundings, and then translates the observations into detailed sketches before a single swish of paint reaches her canvas. Vibrant watercolors and a variety of brush techniques bring her subjects to life. An assortment of brushes lets Joni create different textures and light.

She uses a lot of water for the background, allowing the paint to be loose and take on a life of its own. Her style usually is more controlled and detailed for the subject.

While Joni is a graduate of Herron School of Art + Design, she is self-taught in watercolor.

“When I paint, I definitely think about the design of the piece – the way the composition works with the subject and also how the background helps tell a story by using color only,” says the painter whose career began as a freelance artist. “I use what I have learned in design and illustrating and incorporate a lot of those elements in my painting.”