Joan Brace O’Neal is a visual artist living in Vermont.

 STATEMENT

Alone with a pencil in my hand has always been my refuge, transporting me into a world of quiet wonder. Watching a blank piece of paper come alive is magical to me.

My practice centers on drawing as a way of exploring vulnerability, loss, and transformation. Working from photographs that I personally capture, I attempt to create realistic drawings that move beyond faithful representation. Through the process of drawing I search for the subtle emotional qualities that often remain unseen in a photograph. As the work evolves I seek to reveal not only the physical likeness of my subject, but also its fragile presence. I ask the viewer to look beyond the surface and engage with the deeper emotional life of the image.