Joan has lived most of her life in British Columbia except for eight years in Tokyo. Her stay in Japan influenced her taste in design. She works mainly in polymer clay, which combines the three dimensionality of clay with the colours of paint. She likes to make small objects that can be enjoyed in the palm of your hand. Her goal is to present polymer clay as a professional art material. Joan often describes polymer clay as three dimensional paint that can be mixed and blended to create a palette of colours comparable to oils or water colours. She enjoys making small things that can be kept or given, to bring a little joy to the person holding them.