Joanne Yates-Boopsingh

Joanne is a wife, mother, entrepreneur and artist. Her artistic abilities have been evident from her early childhood and were well nurtured by both Marjorie & John Yates, her parents. At seventeen, Joanne won a national competition with a piece entitled “Silver Buddha”. The prize was a scholarship to the International Fine Arts College in Miami, Florida. Joanne spent two years in Miami developing her art and her independence.

Upon her return, Joanne worked briefly in commercial advertising before venturing on her own in the field of Air Brushed products. Afficiandos of the artform locally all speak highly of the work produced by Joanne under trade name, The Paint Box. After many successful years, Joanne closed the Paint Box in 1996 in order to devote more time to her first-born Adrian.

Joanne’s passion has always been portraiture, although she genuinely enjoys almost every form of visual art. Her caricatures were key props in Nikki Crosby’s debut solo show. Joanne took a break from art shortly after conceiving Soleil who was born in 1999. Summer was born less than two years later in 2001.

Later in 2001, Joanne was asked to do a portrait of a family friend. This portrait caught the eye of Mrs. Brenda Dixon, who set Joanne on a path of commissioned portraits through 2002. The year became a sabbatical with numerous courses in various techniques and mediums. A taste of T&T was set up as a project which helped to further Joanne’s skills, while providing a source of income. Her “portraits” of Trinidad hand-painted onto coffee mugs, teapots and plates have been well received by the community and has earned Joanne a full page feature article in Newsday.

Joanne joined the Women in Art foundation during her sabbatical year. Her New Year’s resolution for 2003 was to exhibit in the foundation’s seventh annual show. Joanne did in fact debut two pieces at the exhibition. The first piece is entitled “Feel D Breeze” and is a seascape. The second is portrait. This piece entitled “What If” was sold on the opening night of exhibition.