JoAnn Houle

STATEMENT

The BKG Collection

Originally a set of 45 fashion-inspired drawings for a show called Butter Knife Girl, 28 of BKG’s friends are here today.

Each drawing was inspired by a photograph found online, in magazines, and coffee table books; like John Galliano Unseen. Reference photos were selected by my intuition, based on which sparked an immediate “heck yes”. In my art studio, it begins with toothy paper and black charcoal, ending with pastels for color. Some of the materials cannot overlap, there is an order to things. When I feel I like it, and continuing would ruin it, that’s when I stop. I trust.

This collection pushed me out of my comfort zone and was intentionally educational. As a lifelong student, since the age of 10, my style is always evolving while I collect new tools for my tool box. I prefer drawing figures, things that emote, so I hope you enjoy this fun, lil moody group of mine.

BIO

Specializing in drawing and painting, St. Louis-based multidisciplinary artist JoAnn Houle is best known for her figurative subjects and recognizable styles. Always evolving with new collections, she and her work have been featured in over 40 art exhibits, 2 solo shows at Saks Fifth Avenue, magazine covers/articles, newspapers, podcasts, YouTube channels, and more. Her art is said to make people feel happy, joy, and can be found worldwide.

Today, JoAnn is in R&D mode: research, imagine, test, play, repeat. That’s what winter is for, before production mode come spring. She’s pondering what’s really important, finding it hard to focus with the current political climate, so out of control. Her perception is deeply changing; how she views her life and society. It’s going to be interesting to wait and see how this affects her next collection.