Shimmering Paintings Inspired by Nature

Joan Metcalf, joanmetcalf.com, is known for her luminous and effervescent paintings that celebrate the magnificent spirit of nature. She has been a Pacific Northwest professional painter since 1960, when she graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. degree. Since then, she has exhibited extensively in Oregon and Washington and is a multi-time Manhattan Arts International award-winning artist.

All rights reserved. Do not reproduce images without the artist’s permission.

Anticipation of Spring, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 36″ x 48″

After painting in watercolors and acrylics for many years, Joan Metcalf’s interest has turned to combining oil paint and composition metal leaf, inspired by the Japanese Rimpa tradition of honoring living plants and trees on a shimmering gold or silver background.

A Blessing of Ginkgos, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 36″ x 48″

Composition metal leaf is 88% copper and 12% zinc for the gold color and the silver color is 100% aluminum. Several coatings of sealer are applied after each metal leaf application to prevent oxidation. As the viewer moves past the painting, the metal leaf shimmers and reflects colors that constantly change with different lighting  conditions. Although this process is labor intensive, the artist is quick to explain, “This new technique has increased my joy of painting and my studio is glowing with light from all of the reflections on the work.”

The Joys of Autumn, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 36″ x 48″

As an inspired creative individual, Joan has changed her mediums and styles over the years, although her inspiration always comes from the abundant beauty of the gardens, forests, vineyards and plants that surround her Oregon studio. The artist is especially interested in cheering and uplifting spirits.

Shimmering Aspen Grove, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 36″ x 48″

Joan’s paintings are in the collections of several Northwest businesses, banks and hospitals, including Nike, and Reser Fine Foods. She is currently represented by the Portland Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery.

Several of her paintings have recently been printed on note cards and calendars by Pomegranate.com for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. She was interviewed in FF2 Media as one of Pomegranate’s women artists in 2021. The interview is titled “Spend 2022 in Joan Metcalf’s Shimmery Seasonal Glow”. 

Shimmering Peony Garden, oil and metal leaf on canvas, 40″ x 60″

Joan’s art has been greatly admired by the jurors of several Manhattan Arts International online art exhibitions, in which she has won Awards of Excellence. She has participated in several of our annual “Healing Power of Art” exhibitions.

She was also selected for “The Healing Power of Art Inspired by Nature” 2024, “Art That Lifts Our Spirits” and “The Spirit of Resilience” exhibitions — all presented on The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website, which is an initiative of Manhattan Arts International.

Visit Joan Metcalf’s website joanmetcalf.com
Visit her blog: Joan Metcalf’s Studio in the Woods: joanmetcalf.com/joanmetcalfstudio
Join Joan Metcalf on Pinterest: pinterest.com/jandkm0135