Joan Jackson is a contemporary folk artist based in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Working primarily in acrylic on wood panel, she creates bold, graphic paintings that balance quiet humor with emotional depth. Her work simplifies familiar people, animals, and coastal landscapes into strong shapes, expressive color, and confident line—capturing moments that feel both deeply personal and universally recognizable.

Largely self-taught, Jackson’s paintings explore the space between observation and memory, where ordinary subjects become unexpectedly meaningful. Her distinctive visual language blends contemporary design with the timeless directness of folk art, resulting in work that is both modern and approachable.

Her paintings have been featured in juried exhibitions including the Wickford Art Association’s “Only Squares Apply” and exhibitions at the South County Art Association. Her work is held in private collections throughout the United States.

Jackson lives and works in Rhode Island, where she continues to build a growing body of contemporary folk paintings inspired by the people, places, and quiet moments that often go unnoticed.