Joelle Geisler grew up in somewhat rural New York.  Perhaps as a premonition, she wrote (and forced her siblings to act out) children's books, and also held a special place in her heart for silos and earthworms.  She focused her studies on Literature at Boston College, and then completed an interdisciplinary Masters program at New York University, focusing on sociology, creative writing, and public art.  After much mental (and literal) wandering, it dawned on her that there is in fact a connection between her first academic obsession with numbers and physics, her more recent love of literature and writing, and her ongoing addiction to the arts.  In each endeavor, the main attraction has been finding and inventing parallels.  Still equally important are the simple things, like earthworms and silos.

Joelle moved to Austin in 2002.  As a member of Pump Project Art Complex for the past four years, she has spent the winters in her studio using traditional media, primarily oil on canvas. The summer months find her more often at home, illustrating children's books from the comfort of her living room. Continually inspired by shadow patterns, unusual animals, and her 3 year old art students, Joelle has recently worked to combine her painted and illustrative styles on canvas. Whether it is a night narwhal, a farcical portrait of Roosevelt and his pet peacock, or a smiling iguana upon an abstract background, realism often takes a backseat to whimsy.

Aside from painting and drawing, Joelle works at Books Beyond Borders and Project Schoolhouse, and with the latter, enjoyed a visit to rural Nicaragua this year, where she led art projects with the local children.  She also works on the event staff at Umlauf Sculpture Garden, teaches art classes through Abrakadoodle, and serves as the chairperson of volunteers for Art City Austin.