Joanny, an artist of international acclaim is well recognized for his paintings of the Provence region of Southern France.  It is not by accident that he chose to live and raise his family in this area, but by the lure of an artist for the sun soaked landscape that creates colors so vibrant and surreal that it drew such great artists of vision as Van Gogh, Matisse, Cezanne, and Gauguin.  Joanny steps out of his front door and the world around him becomes a painting waiting to unfold.  Through his paintings we can visualize the lavender fields of Vacluse, the sunflower fields on the road to the village of Gordes, the poppy fields of Provence in spring, the regal beauty of the olive and cypress trees, the stoic stone pine trees; and his inviting roads which lead to the small farmhouses in the country or to the deep blue-green of the Mediterranean Sea.  

Joanny, (Jean Tierant), was born in Paris in 1931.  His father was a master calligrapher and his mother worked as an architectural designer.  The rich creative influences of his parents instilled in Joanny an uncanny passion and talent for drawing.  In his early teens, he headed off to the stimulating environment of the Montmarie area of Paris.  He spent long afternoons in the studios of artists and friends where he was able to study their techniques.  They gave him brushes and canvases to use and encouraged him to develop his career.  These mentors recognized the talent in one so young and were thrilled when he sold his first painting.  

But the money didn't come in fast enough after Joanny met and married the love of his life, Roseline.  With two small children and a wife, Joanny set aside his love of painting for the security of a career in sales.  It wasn't until many years later that he would be able to turn his attention back to his passion for painting.  

Painting in oils, Joanny uses 2 palettes, separating the warm and the cool colors.  He first preps his canvas then begins the painting.  As he paints to capture the colors of Provence, he relies on the contrast between the vibrant warm colors of the sun exposed landscape and the cool transition of shadow.  The waters of the Mediterranean beckon with the deep blues and teals that reflect the mood of the sky and the depth of the sea.  He reveals the rural beauty of an old road that leads to the provential farmhouse.  He captures the very essence of the beauty of the South of France.