Artist Profile: Joan Shearer Tells Local Stories in Watercolor

Joan Shearer took art lessons in 1975.  But it wasn’t until three years ago when she set out to create paintings for her living room that she picked up her brushes once again. And she hasn’t set them down since.

After completing paintings for her own living room, Shearer began painting requests for friends.  Soon, her paintings of local buildings and people gained acclaim and she found herself filling more and more requests.

Today her paintings sell in stores and at craft shows all around Carroll County. 

“Once I started, I wanted to keep going," Shearer said. "Now I have too many for the wall.”

Shearer loves to paint old things--old buildings and old men in particular, because they both have character, she said.

She admits that she loves her art because it is very calming, “unless I make a mistake, then it is very frustrating” Shearer said. 

Shearer loves talking to people and listening to the stories they remember about the old buildings.  Each painting is a way for her to capture these stories and memories, memorializing them and helping to elicit other tales of good times past in the local area.

Some of the buildings that she has painted and shared stories about include:  Hoffman’s Ice Cream & Deli, the Lineboro General Store, the Leister Store, local barns and many other local landmarks.

When she's not painting, Shearer loves volunteering at Westminster Ridge. 

Shearer’s art can be viewed and purchased at the Historical Societies, Shop at Cockey’s and at Forever Green gift shop in Manchester.  She also shares and sells art at a number of local flea markets and craft shows.

“I am so proud of Carroll County for what they do for artisans.  It is hard to believe how many people in Carroll County are artists, artisans, etc.," Shearer said. 

"I don't consider myself any kind of great or even good artist compared to some of these people but what I do brings joy to me and the people who tell me their stories.  I have so many wonderful memories to hold on to from people telling me about their lives.”