As a young child she was constantly drawing and painting. When the circus or rodeos came to town, she would create clay replicas in amazing detail. At the age of twelve, she was accepted into the prestigious High School of Music and Art where she was introduced to all types of art and mediums. During this time she attended classes at the famous Art Students League. Accepted into the school of fine
and applied arts at Boston University at the age of sixteen, she majored in advertising art and illustration. Graduating with a BFA she pursued a career as an art director and illustrator in the advertising industry. Joela also painted murals and excelled in the medium of scratchboard. She continued painting and when a friend saw a portrait of her dog, a new career was born. Her love of animals and realistic style brought her commissions. As her ability to give life to all her subjects progressed she found creative joy in landscapes as well as people and animals. Joela then took a leap of faith and began to freelance graphic art while beginning a career in fine arts. At this time she studied in Venice California, with the well known artist Martin Lubner. Although their styles were quite different, she credits his teaching with her understanding of color and light. After 15 years of classes with him, she began teaching drawing and painting classes at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, California. Joela now teaches privately and semi-privately in her studio home and continues to accept commissions and sell paintings. Her fascination with detail and her dedication to reality offer the viewer an experience that is hard to forget.
