Joanne was born in Omaha, Nebraska. When she was eight, her family moved to Belfast, Maine. Growing up in Mid Coast Maine, Joanne was surrounded by forest and coastal inlets which provided an endless stream of inspiration that she would bring to reality on canvas in the future. Like many coastal Mainers, Joanne had a calling for the sea. In 1990, she set sail for nearly ten years. She became an accomplished sailor and acquired her Captain’s license. In 2000, Joanne and her father, Neal Parent, opened Parent Fine Art on the corner of Main and High St in Belfast, which showcases her fine art and Neal’s black and white photographs. Nowadays, you can find her a few doors down working in her studio where she creates both seascapes and landscapes which are shown in a number of distinguished galleries across the world.