Joan was an art history major in college and has always appreciated art, particularly 18th and 19th century artists, but her career took her another direction. Six years ago, she had an opportunity to attend a plein air oil painting workshop in Tuscany with Canadian artist, Ian Roberts, which opened up a whole new world for her. Since then Joan has participated in workshops in France, Maryland, and Kentucky. Most recently, she has studied with Bill Fletcher, Leslie Humphrey, and Hedi Moran. Her recent retirement from a career in education has enabled her to take her work more seriously and she now maintains a studio in the Artists' Attic in Victorian Square, 401 Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky.

Joan particularly enjoys plein air painting in oil since she likes being outdoors, painting landscapes with emphasis on the effects of light. Travels in various areas of the United States and Europe have provided her with stimulating subject matter, as has the immense variety of the Kentucky landscape where she now lives and Western Pennsylvania where she grew up.

Joan's paintings have been displayed in Gallery B and the Artists' Attic in Lexington, Brightwood in Maryland, and she has had several shows at the Garrison Forest School in Maryland. Joan is an active member of the Plein Air Painters of the Bluegrass.

Joan is fortunate to be able to share her love of painting with her husband, Ted Mudge. He painted some in high school and had a re-awakening of interest when Joan returned from her first painting workshop. Ted has been participating in workshops at the AAEA (American Academy of Equine Artists) as well as taking lessons from Kentucky artists, Bill Fletcher, Yvonne Todd and Betty Plymale. So far, Ted has mainly painted for friends and family so his paintings are in private collections. Joan and Ted have not only enjoyed plein air painting together, but have also co-created a few paintings under the signature, Mudge Squared.