 March 2009
Joan Rand
Native of AZ? If not where you relocated from and how long ago? No, We moved here from the Denver area, Littleton, Colorado five years ago.
How long have you been involved with APAA? Not sure, but I believe I joined in 2004 or 2005.
In what capacities have you served APAA? The only position I have held has been a helper on the program chair.
What formal art education, if any, do you have? No formal art education; my parents would not allow it.
 What informal art education, workshops, etc. have you taken part in that have impacted your art? I have taken numerous workshops and classes. The main ones were Ramon Kelly, Doug Dawson, Daniel Greene, Leslie DeMille and Dee Toscano.
Do you work in other media…or just pastel? I also work in Oil but Pastel is my main love. I try to do at least one oil a year in case someone ask for a portrait in Oil, to keep my hand in.
Are you a full time artist? Yes, have been off and on over the years, except for the nine years prior to my moving here when I switched to dancing.
Are you a member of other art organizations as well? Yes, Fountain Hills Art League, Portrait Artists of Arizona, Portrait Society of America, and I am a juried member of Arizona Artist Alliance.
What are your goals for your art…a career, second career, enjoyment or hobby, become rich and famous, etc.? Rich and famous would be nice but not going to happen. I am content in getting several commissions a year at this point. My goal is to keep learning and hopefully improving as I go.
 Why have you chosen pastels as a medium? So many reasons, but I think mainly the colors. I love color and the immediacy of the medium and working with my hands up close and personal.
Do you work in themes or series? If not…do you have favorite topics? My favorite topic of course is portraits. I have been doing commission portraits since the '80s. I also love doing the figure and lately have had two themes I have been working on, a dance series and one I call "The Ride" which is children on horses.
Are you represented by any galleries? At present I am in the Fountain Hills Artists Gallery which is a co-op and has been a lot of fun. Previously I was in two in Denver and had my own small one in St. Louis.
Any experiences, awards, etc. that have been boosts for your career? I have won numerous awards over the years, but the ones that stand out the most was being chosen "Artist of the Year" twice for the Fountain Hills Art League and one of my first places in Pastel that was given to me by Doug Dawson. The "Artist of the year" gave me the exposure I needed after moving to a new state.
Are you married? Do you have children? Nick and I have both been previously married so we only have his and hers. I have three children, two daughters and one son, and 7 grandchildren. Nick has two sons.
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