Artist in conversation: Joanne Finnegan

Meet Joanne Finnegan, an expressionist artist and designer residing in the picturesque Kanton Zug, Switzerland. From the very beginning of her artistic journey, Joanne has poured her heart and soul into creating distinctive works that captivate and inspire.

With a remarkable fusion of academic expertise and professional art and design experience, Joanne has honed her craft to deliver creations that radiate warmth and love in a world often consumed by negativity. Her mission is crystal clear: to infuse the world with vibrant hues and boundless love.

In an era where negativity can overshadow, Joanne's designs emerge as beacons of warmth and affection. Each stroke and concept within her artwork aims to illuminate your surroundings with positivity, humor, and a strong sense of her unique individuality. Welcome to Joanne's world, where color and love intertwine to brighten every single moment.

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What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?

I never remember a day in my life that I didn’t paint, create, and cutting up boxes to make things with. My father died when I was two, he was 29. He had to give up football for health reasons and then he started to paint. I do not remember him but have several of his paintings and during covid his old friend got in touch and gave me an amazing painting my dad produced of a little girl with two large giraffes painted just months before he died. So, I suppose it was my lasting legacy from my dad. I was always known throughout school as the artist, I was pretty crap at everything else. Developing, came through age, amazing teachers and looking to the past through studying Art history. Most teenagers where into music I was into Expressionist artists. My childhood was a dark time and even through the difficulties of today the colour comes out in my work when the physical world is black and depressing.

In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?

I came to Switzerland, in 2007, and then my heart exploded. The mountains, the weather the seasons here are so dramatic and still today I can bust into tears seeing how nature is simply beautiful. I come from Cheshire originally, and the tallest thing there are the cows in the fields so seeing the Alps for the first time, had a huge influence on me. I work on maps, drawings, lino prints and the paintings and they are all influenced by Switzerland.

Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?

Most work challenges me, it’s the part I like the most. You see in your mind what you want to portray and with interaction of the other parts of you it ends completely different. I relay a lot on the teachings of my teacher from A levels and not to give up, to work with the mistakes and also understanding that somethings are meant to be. One piece I remember which did change me, I was commissioned for the local catholic church in Meilen, Zurich. My husband had just left due to him having an affair and my children and myself where broken and scared. I had to reconnect with my belief in religion and I painted this painting during this period, how do you paint hope faith and warmth when you want to shout. Anyway, I did it and with the money brought easel which I still work on today. 😊

Your artistic influences span a diverse range of artists, from Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler to English landscape painters Turner and Constable and more. How do these various influences come together to shape your unique artistic style when depicting the Swiss Alps? 

To find myself painting in the footprints of Turner, is an incredible and grounding experience. Rigi, is my mountain on my doorstep and possibly my biggest inspiration. Holdler, captures the Swiss landscapes beautifully and his paintings are full of love for his homeland. Turner, fascinates me and his scientific understand into climate and atmosphere. Constable, and the sketches in the V and A lead me to big fluffy clouds. Then with the influences of German Expression painters like Kirchner. I would like to think, that I take certain techniques from these artists to allow me to capture the Alps and the atmosphere.

The stories by Heinrich Harrer, particularly "The White Spider," have also been a significant influence on your creativity. Can you elaborate on how these stories have impacted your artistic vision and how you incorporate their narratives or themes into your depictions of the Swiss Alps?

The history of the Eiger is one which fascinates me. Young people risking their lives to achieve the ultimate in mountain climbing. When you commit to the mountain you have to reach the top or live with the failure, maybe this is how I see life. Although it is ok to fail, it is not about giving up and continuing to do what you love and find alternative routes.

How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?

Although a bubbly person and love connecting with people, I actually prefer to be alone and try to not to interact too much. Especially in a country like Switzerland, for me I do not fit into the Artist community here. I don’t follow trends, I love doing what I do and what I think others would like.

How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?

I have a few trusted people that I trust in and ask for their feedback on my work, but mostly I do what I like to do, at 52 if I don’t know my own mind now I never will 😊. I do however love visiting galleries and museums, and look to the past for inspiration.

How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?

Art is also my therapy, as well as my passion, so creative blocks I put to one side and work on some other project till I can return. Being in the landscape, inspires me and so spending time just outside sketching and taking the pressure of my situation.

How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?

Sadly due to finance, commitments here in Switzerland was unable to attend. But friends attended and say it was a very professional exhibition. Everyone I had contact with via email were very kind and pleasant. So would be happy to exhibit again especially in London or Europe.


Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Now my children are grown and leaving the nest, thankfully being alone with the boys was not easy. But now it is my time to return to what I love full time. I now have my working studio in Cham, Zug and will return to teaching, growing my product design company. I also would love one day to have my own small gallery here, lots of plans and fingers crossed (thumbs pressed) can continue to do what I love.

How do I plan to achieve my goals? Keep climbing mountains xxx.