Hello!
I’m Joëlle, the artist and creative director behind Monochrome Canvas. I believe art is more than just something to look at—it’s a way to connect and leave a lasting impact. I put a lot of consideration into creating meaningful, timeless images, in my own artwork and with the prints I help to make with my clients and collaborators. I enjoy working with others to create something that feels true to their vision, with attention to the details that matter.
Born and raised in Akron...
I’ve always been deeply connected to the city’s art community. I was fortunate to study in the visual and performing arts programs at Miller South and Firestone High School, where I transitioned from dance to visual art. From there, I earned my Fine Arts degree at the Columbus College of Art & Design and had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy.
After college, seeking adventure, I jumped around the country and lived in places like Snowmass Village, Colorado, and Chicago. In Colorado, I spent my time hiking and exploring the mountains, taking on a handful of odd jobs to fully enjoy my time in such a beautiful place. In Chicago, I had the chance to collaborate with my longtime best friend as the production designer for her indie film project. It was an amazing creative experience—working together was such a dream.
But after years of constantly moving, I began to feel disconnected and maybe a little disoriented. It became clear that while these experiences were exciting, I really missed a lot about home. Returning to Northeast Ohio felt like a return to myself. The support of family and friends, the familiarity of the community, and the grounded feeling of being back to my roots—those things were more meaningful than I had realized. Northeast Ohio has so much to offer and I knew it was where I wanted to be.
When I returned to Ohio, I took on a role as Creative Coordinator at a commercial wall covering company in Akron. There, I collaborated with artists, worked in screen printing, and handled color matching for products and samples. However, when the company split its operations between Akron and Louisville, I was faced with the decision to relocate again. That’s when I knew I wanted to stay rooted here. I love it in Northeast Ohio.
Staying put allowed me to fully invest in starting a family and growing as a professional artist. In 2016, I got married and took the leap to launch Monochrome Canvas, which at the time focused on contract artwork and graphic design services.
While Monochrome Canvas began with graphic design, I soon found myself craving deeper creative fulfillment. Designing flyers and brochures didn’t capture the art I truly wanted to make. Between client work and raising two young children, there wasn’t much room to pursue the kind of art that resonated with me personally. But as my kids grew, I found the space to rediscover what I loved and started expanding my fine art portfolio again.
As I worked to grow my art, I focused heavily on creating digital pieces that drew from my fine art background, mimicking traditional materials like watercolor and ink. However, it was difficult finding a local printing method that could truly capture the fine lines and subtle color variations I needed. While there were options available, the only ones that seemed to have the ease of ordering and a range of papers that I was looking for weren't located anywhere close to home. That’s when I realized there was an opportunity—not just for me, but for other local artists as well. By expanding Monochrome Canvas into a giclée print shop, I could offer a service that made online ordering simple, provided a variety of materials, and helped connect with other artists in the community who could benefit from high-quality reproductions. This would allow me to not only create my own works more effectively but also support others in achieving the same.
It was during this period that I started experiencing unexplained health issues. I was constantly exhausted, my joints ached badly and I was experiencing really significant brain fog. It became really scary, not knowing what was going on. But I'm a meticulous person, and I was determined to find answers despite my symptoms being belittled by a handful of health professionals. We're lucky to have the Cleveland Clinic as a resource, and after a lot of doctor visits, persistence, and testing, I was diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome - a rare autoimmune disease that typically affects women in their later years.
Adjusting to life with Sjogren’s as a mother of young children and an entrepreneur has been difficult at times. There are days when the symptoms can be completely debilitating and make it hard to keep up with everything. I will say that living with the disease has taught me to be more intentional with my time and energy. I’ve learned to listen to my body and pace myself, which has actually deepened my approach to art. That need for balance, stillness, and focus has become a recurring theme in both my creative work and my personal life.
Despite these challenges, in the fall of 2022, I launched the giclée print shop side of Monochrome Canvas to fill a gap I noticed in our local community when it came to high-quality printing. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been growing the business, building relationships, and working on meaningful projects within the local art scene—all while navigating the challenges of my health and raising two young children. It’s been a challenging but rewarding journey, and I’m grateful to be where I am now—creating art that speaks to both my personal experiences and the community around me.
One of the things I'm extremely passionate about is sustainability and giving back to the community. I enjoy partnering with local businesses and nonprofits, contributing to projects that make a difference. One of my favorite collaborations has been with Sabertooth Public Art through the Akron T-Shirt Club project, where I work alongside local artists to create unique designs for monthly releases. It’s a celebration of Akron’s artistic talent and a way to connect artists, businesses, and art lovers alike.
In my daily work, I continue to take on select contract graphic design and illustration projects. I’m especially drawn to creative collaborations that fuel my passion for both art and community. Whether it’s designing for a local t-shirt company or rebranding a dog training business, I’m committed to helping businesses thrive through thoughtful and compelling visual storytelling.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my journey and Monochrome Canvas. I truly appreciate your support. If you’d like to connect or have any questions about my work, I’d love to hear from you. My goal is to keep building relationships and contributing to the vibrant creative community that has shaped me.