Even as a child Juanita was drawn to color -- wildflowers, fresh fruit, a purple hill in the evening light, the different seasons, her mother’s lipstick. Her work reflects this with rich darks, russets, and golds complimented by warm neutrals with some blues, greens and purples tucked in here and there. The sun streaming in on an early morning, casting long shadows and catching the iridescence of a piece of glass, the blush of color in the skin, the rich textures of fabric, or the lacy rhythms of overlapping foliage are like poetry and fine music to her as they all interconnect. She paints a variety of subjects, concentrating more on still life and people because of the flexibility to control the lighting and design.
While Juanita did not start painting until she was past forty, she always had a desire to pursue art. In the 70’s she took her first lessons from Mary Getches, a student of Dick Getz, who encouraged her to continue painting, particularly that of people. Through the years Juanita has taken numerous workshops such as those with Sergei Bongart and David Leffel. She has been in national and regional juried shows, including American Artists Professional League, Inc., Salmagundi Club, New York, NY; Pen and Brush, Inc., Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY; MOAK 4 State Regional, Springfield Art Museum, Springfield, MO; The July National Exhibition, Associated Artists of Southport, Franklin Square Gallery, Southport, NC; and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Osage Beach, MO. She has won numerous awards in local and state art shows and has done over fifty commissioned portraits. Juanita lives in Oklahoma City with husband Donald, who is also an artist.
