Meet Our Artists
Meet Our Artists
Owner & Artist
Joanna Carolan
Ever since she was a little girl, Joanna loved to paint. Joanna first came to Kauai in 1967 when her grandparents moved to the Garden Isle. She lived with her grandparents during her teenage years and attended Kapa’a High School. She founded Banana Patch Studio in 1991 to follow her dream of creating artwork inspired by the beauty of Kauai.
Joanna studied watercolor painting at the University of California, Santa Cruz and design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco. From 1989 to 1990 she studied ceramics in Australia with ceramicist Judy McDermott.
The Hawaiian culture and the vibrant colors the Hawaiian Islands influence Joanna’s artwork. Visit Joanna’s commissioned artwork and custom tiles page.
Owner & Artist
Joanna Carolan
Ever since she was a little girl, Joanna loved to paint. Joanna first came to Kauai in 1967 when her grandparents moved to the Garden Isle. She lived with her grandparents during her teenage years and attended Kapa’a High School. She founded Banana Patch Studio in 1991 to follow her dream of creating artwork inspired by the beauty of Kauai.
Joanna studied watercolor painting at the University of California, Santa Cruz and design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco. From 1989 to 1990 she studied ceramics in Australia with ceramicist Judy McDermott.
The Hawaiian culture and the vibrant colors the Hawaiian Islands influence Joanna’s artwork. Visit Joanna’s commissioned artwork and custom tiles page.
Watercolors
Nancy Forbes
Nancy Forbes works mainly in watercolors. Before becoming a full time artist, Nancy spent 25 years as a parent educator, helping adults see the world through the eyes of two-year olds.
Nancy says, “the children’s vision inspired me to see Kaua’i with two-year old eyes. Watercolors are the perfect medium for expressing my vision of Kaua’i because they capture our island’s colors and convey its stability and movement.”
watercolors
Nancy Forbes
Nancy Forbes works mainly in watercolors. Before becoming a full time artist, Nancy spent 25 years as a parent educator, helping adults see the world through the eyes of two-year olds.
Nancy says, “the children’s vision inspired me to see Kaua’i with two-year old eyes. Watercolors are the perfect medium for expressing my vision of Kaua’i because they capture our island’s colors and convey its stability and movement.”
acrylic paint
Anna Skaradzinska
Anna Skaradzinska was born in Poland, and has a B.S. in Graphic Arts from the University of Maryland. After a professional career in illustration/design in New York City, she visited Kauai in 1995 and chose it as the place to settle. Anna has been featured in invitational and juried exhibitions, including Kauai Society of Artists’ Art Kauai, The Garden Island Arts Council’s shows, and Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2003 & 2012 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Anna works with acrylic paint using plexiglas, palm fronds and recycled wooden objects as her canvas.
Anna says, “My art is a continuous series of mirrored images reflecting my soul’s journey through this life experience.” Visit her website.
sculpting
Jana Viles
Jana Viles earned a BA. degree in ceramics and interior design from TCU in Ft. Worth, Texas. Upon moving to Kauai in 1988, her career as a potter evolved into sculpting.
Jana says, “Carving these wall plaques has been rewarding. Creating dimensional forms allows the subject to come to life in a new fashion.”
acrylic paint
Anna Skaradzinska
Anna Skaradzinska was born in Poland, and has a B.S. in Graphic Arts from the University of Maryland. After a professional career in illustration/design in New York City, she visited Kauai in 1995 and chose it as the place to settle. Anna has been featured in invitational and juried exhibitions, including Kauai Society of Artists’ Art Kauai, The Garden Island Arts Council’s shows, and Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2003 & 2012 at Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Anna works with acrylic paint using plexiglas, palm fronds and recycled wooden objects as her canvas.
Anna says, “My art is a continuous series of mirrored images reflecting my soul’s journey through this life experience.” Visit her website.
sculpting
Jana Viles
Jana earned a BA. degree in ceramics and interior design from TCU in Ft. Worth, Texas. Upon moving to Kauai in 1988, her career as a potter evolved into sculpting.
Jana says, “Carving these wall plaques has been rewarding. Creating dimensional forms allows the subject to come to life in a new fashion.”