Born in New York in 1942, Joan began painting at an early age. She studied Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and then went on to study printmaking and painting at New Paltz State University where she recieved her Masters in Art. It was the Adirondak Mountains and their unique rock formations as well as a deep love for the Impressionist's that was most influential to her work. Upon the completion of her studies and several student exhibitions she moved to Manhattan to begin her professional career as a painter. During the sixties Joan taught art in various school programs and began exhibiting her etchings in and around New York. Her first group show in New York was at the American Greeting Card Gallery in the Pan American Building in 1968. As a result of this show she was asked to discuss printmaking in a radio interview on WNYC with Ruth Bowman a well known art critic. At the same time she was exhibiting at the Anne Leonard Gallery in Woodstock and the Open House Gallery in Katona, New York, through 1969. Living and working in New York City had a very strong influence on Joan's paintings. The clarity of color became much stronger and the image much larger, as well as more simplistic.