Soulfulism

Artist Joanna Caldwell brings her colorful palette (and her miniature donkeys) to Steeplechase

Written by Dave Mahanes / Painting courtesy of JOANNA

Joanna Caldwell is the official artist of the 2022 Iroquois Steeplechase. Known in the art world simply as “JOANNA,” she first became known for her paintings of French and Italian chefs and waiters, often in front of a bistro which allowed her to place her paintings worldwide. She has licensed and sublicensed many of these pieces, which you can still find hanging in restaurants and kitchens. JOANNA’s current work features images of whimsical creatures such as horses, hounds, foxes and fox hunters, farm animals, and polo players. JOANNA describes her recent work: “I’ve created my own category. Today, I’m calling it ‘Soulfulism.’ I love to watch my viewers’ expressions. If I can touch a soul, evoke a smile, or even a chuckle, then I feel that I have accomplished something.”

Joanna Caldwell has been painting since she was a child. She always knew she had a gift and was encouraged by her parents and by her favorite uncle, Julian Bibb, who urged her to make a go with her art and do it full time. Growing up in Franklin, JOANNA worked for Barbara Kurland at Goodies on Main, a unique gift store with merchandise and art from all over the world. Barbara took her to New York City to study the new painted furniture and ceramics by MacKenzie-Childs, similar to the type of work she was already producing. Although primarily self-taught, she matriculated to the University of Tennessee Knoxville with an art scholarship but eventually switched to majoring in business with a concentration in marketing. Caldwell continued advancing and developing her skills by taking painting classes at Scottsdale Art School in Arizona and other local workshops. She has always loved Henri Matisse and is also a big admirer of Donna Howell-Sickles’ animals & cowgirls and of local artists Nall (Fred Nall Hollis) and David Arms.

The Caldwells are quite the equestrian family. JOANNA typically paints in her country studio in Coldwell, Tennessee, where she manages a farm with 45 horses (most for polo), a small heard of Corriente cattle for rodeos, a pack of foxhounds, a few stray dogs, and cats, one giant Kunekune pig, multiple free-range chickens, and an adorable basset hound puppy named Biscuit. The Caldwell’s two twin sons, Charlie and Harry, are finishing up their business degrees at the University of South Carolina while also playing polo professionally, where they keep eight to twelve horses with them at all times. Joanna also has a new business, Black Burro Events, a beverage-toting miniature donkey service for events, especially weddings. Equestrian indeed!

JOANNA is no stranger to the Iroquois Steeplechase, where she grew up watching the races on “the hill” with all of her friends. She has been volunteering for Steeplechase for many years. In recent years, she has been running the Jockey tent. She was also the featured Iroquois Steeplechase artist in 1995. Her husband, Rob, is the man who runs the track on the day of the races. Check out and bid on “I’m the Lucky One” that JOANNA was commissioned to paint for the Iroquois Steeplechase 2022 at the following link: http://yourcharityauction.com/IroquoisSteeplechase.

In addition, a poster will be available for purchase at merchant tents in the infield and in The Shoppes on the day of Steeplechase. To contact JOANNA, the best route is via Instagram @Joanna_art_life or call her directly at (931) 993-9566. sl