Joanne has loved everything about the sea and its shore since she was a young girl collecting shells, rocks, and glass on trips to the beach every summer, something she still enjoys doing today. She came across her first Sailors Valentine while browsing at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Intrigued by their raw beauty and history, she began researching and discovered modern-day artists filling beautiful octagon shaped boxes with unique shell designs meticulously arranged from thousands of seashells, urchins, and corals.

In 2015, she met Sandy Moran, an award-winning shell artist from Yarmouthport, MA.  Under Sandy’s guidance, Joanne created dozens of her own Sailors Valentines filling her home with these inspired works of art. During the pandemic, Joanne discovered the art of incorporating her vast collection of shells into intricate bead embroidery including wall hangings, décor items and jewelry.

Today, Joanne spends much of her free time in her home studio located in Little Compton, RI where she continues to create Sailors Valentines and bead embroidered art.  She continues to be moved and encouraged by her fellow shell artists and bead embroiderers around the country. Joanne travels to Sanibel Island, FL twice a year for art inspiration and combs the beaches for some of the most colorful shells in the world washed in daily from the Gulf of Mexico.

Joanne never thought of herself as an artist. In a recent conversation with her cousin, she was reminded that her grandfather from Brazil was a magnificent builder of beautiful wooden models including houses, lighthouses and ships. One of his creations, a small wooden house, is proudly displayed in her studio.

Joanne’s work has been displayed at the Bristol Art Museum, Brownell Library, Little Compton Community Center, and Westport Art Group and have been featured items in local charity auctions.

Joanne is a member of the Bristol Art Museum, Westport Art Group and South Coast Artists.