Lifelong Artist

JoAnn Adinolfi was born and raised in New York City, a happy member of a big Italian-American family. Her favorite place to explore as a child was her Pop's garden. Under the peach tree grew a bathtub; next to the chicken coop, a pile of porcelain sinks took root. The grapevine trellis was constructed with a network of rusty pipes that supported the weight of lush purple grapes while hundreds of leaves merged to form a cool umbrella. JoAnn played amidst this collage of nature and objects. As an artist, she recalls the interplay of those surroundings. These recollections guide her to surprising artistic representations of our complex, beautiful world.

She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (1983-1987) and the Art Academy of Munich (1983-1987). JoAnn is an award-winning picture book creator and has written and illustrated over 40 books for children. She now writes and illustrates under the pen name Josie James. She is also an award-winning fine artist. JoAnn explores various media and creates collages, paintings, digital mixed-media collages, and photographs for art shows and galleries.

In the spring and summer, JoAnn works as a floral designer with Illume Floral and supplies greens and flowers to designers through her budding business Wild Greens in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. JoAnn fills her life with music, dance, drums, travel, and food as she joyfully prepares her ancestors' delicious recipes for family and friends to enjoy under the grapevine she nurtures in remembrance of Pop. She speaks fluent German and a bit of Italian. JoAnn has two beautiful children and a very silly dog named Enzo.