Joan Rowe – Board Member, President, Volunteer Coordinator
Glass Art, Knitted Lace, Photography
I was born and raised in Adelaide, Australia at a time when ‘everyone’ knitted, and I learnt at a very young age, taught by my mother. My sister, 11 years older than me, was an inspiration with her wonderful Fair Isle knitting, and I copied a technique used by a cousin to become a ‘speed knitter’. Of all knitting techniques, it is lace knitting that gives me the greatest pleasure and relaxation.
I got my first camera as a teenager. It was black and white and completely manual. My first color camera was also manual, and forced me to learn about things like apertures, depth of field and focusing. Although I never took any photography lessons, I married a photographer, and I think some of his ideas must have rubbed off on me.
I never considered myself an artist though, and my profession became science. I worked in research labs at the University of Adelaide, Stanford University, and finally at the University of Nevada, Reno, where my last 7 years were spent establishing and managing the Nevada Genomics Center, A DNA sequencing facility.
After many years of being intrigued by stained glass, I took a class in 2002 and was immediately hooked. The glass fascinates me. When I see a wonderful piece I have to have it, and take great pleasure in just looking at it and thinking about what I might do with it.
When I retired and moved to Chiloquin, no one here knew me as a scientist and I was welcomed as an artist. I became a volunteer at Two Rivers Gallery, then a Board member, and now President. It still feels a little strange to be referred to as ‘the artist’. My inspiration for both art and science comes from all aspects of nature, and there is no shortage of wildlife or beauty here. Now all I need is more time….
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