Wildflowers in Watercolor

Wildflowers in Watercolor

Original Art by Joan Heflin Rankin

Joan enjoys the beautiful Texas Blue Bonnets at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Joan Heflin Rankin was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia and moved with her parents and brother to Huntsville, Alabama in 1959. From early childhood it was obvious that she had an inborn interest in drawing, painting and a love of flowers!

She married Tom Rankin, a good ole Mississippi guy, in 1962. During the next chapter of her life, Joan enjoyed the hobby of painting while she was a homemaker raising their two daughters. Painting in oils and acrylics during those years, she always preferred to purchase watercolor paintings for her home. When the opportunity arose, she took workshops with internationally know watercolor artists. One instructor in particular, Zoltan Szabo, became her mentor and over the years a very good and dear friend, not only to Joan but her entire family as well!

“Zoltan was a major influence, giving me a passion for painting and leading the way for me to pursue a career as a professional artist in 1977. His ability as an artist and his generous way of always sharing all of his knowledge with students truly changed my life and my work. I will always be thankful for his friendship!”

Joan continues to exhibit her original watercolor paintings, signed and number limited edition prints and note cards at juried and invitational fine art shows. Her work is carried in galleries and gift shops and can also be found in many private and corporate collections throughout the United States and abroad. Over the years Joan has won many awards and honors and exhibited in numerous one woman shows. Most recently, she was chosen as the Featured Artist for the 2005 Southern Wildlife Festival. Joan also won the national Art Competition for the 2006 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Her painting, “Preaching to the Choir" will be used on Wildflower Pilgrimage merchandise throughout the Great Smoky Mountains during the 2007 spring season. She will have a one woman show at the Arromont Gallery in Gatlinburg during the month of April, 2007. Although she paints different subject matter, Joan is best known for her botanically correct studies of native wildflowers.

Joan and Tom now live in Lacey’s Spring Alabama, just outside Huntsville, on the side of Brindlee mountain. Their two daughters and their husbands, along with five wonderful grandchildren live in Huntsville!

“My journey has been a wonderful one! Through my work, I celebrate the personal joy and excitement of God’s gift of creation. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to share my sense of reverence and wonder with my viewing public. I have had a very successful career in art, but still find that more than any honor or recognition by competitive committees of judges that simply doesn’t compare to the happiness I feel when someone spends their hard earned money to “live” with something I have created! I sincerely feel that my gift or any ability I have in art was simply part of God’s plan for my life and His way for me to share my faith and many blessings with others. Now, to be able to live here in this beautiful place blessed with family, friends and the abundance of nature has proven to be a very special time in my life. Thank you for your interest in my work, I hope it brings you a smile or a happy memory of your own!”
-- Joan Heflin Rankin