JOANA MIRANDA STUDIO

(Even though it’s a balancing act sometimes!)

As a musician and illustrator, I work very long hours.  When I’m not “on the clock” officially, I’m always busy trying to improve – whether that means putting in extra time sketching at my drafting table, or standing in front of my music stand practicing the viola.  The beauty of loving what you do is that you can lose yourself in a state of flow where time seems suspended and work doesn’t feel like work.  And the advantage of wearing two hats (in my case, as an illustrator and a musician), is that when the going gets tough in one arena- and there WILL always be difficult days – you can retain some sanity by focusing on how you will move forward in the other.  On the best days, both loves serve each other fueling focus, creativity and smart time management.

How did I develop my passion for both music and art?  In the music case, it was easy.  I grew up in a musical house where both parents were heavily involved in music.  Playing an instrument was a part of my upbringing.  Fortunately, I did love music, and I was even one of those rare kids who actually took lessons in piano and also music theory from both parents.

My love for visual art, drawing and illustration evolved more organically.  I always drew as a kid, but it wasn’t until I got engaged and designed my own engagement ring that I discovered how much I loved drawing, and, initially, designing jewelry.  Those of you who have followed my blog from the beginning will remember the year where I posted a new jewelry design (rendering) a day.  If you’re new to this site, type “A Design a Day” into the search bar and you’ll see my jewelry designs…there’s 365 of ’em.  Enjoy!

I like to think of my path from jewelry designing to my current cartoon illustrations akin to the zig-zag pattern of how pilots pilot airplanes.  As the years have passed and I’ve put in my hours, I’m zeroing in on my illustration focus – or how best to say who I am and what’s important to me in my art.  Creating visually compelling art has always been a love.  These days, finding the humor in the everyday and adding that into the mix has taken my work a step further.  I figure if I make you smile or laugh, we’re both better off!

You can find my illustrations here.  And if you’re in the New York City area you can hear me playing this coming week at these locations:

New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center and New Jersey Symphony (Morristown and the NJPAC)