Maine Artist Joan Fischer on Color, Rhythm, and Joy

Joan Fischer is both an artist and a retired attorney, a life path that has taken her from courtroom arguments to colorful canvases. Though she practiced law for decades, art was always her release—first through textiles learned from her immigrant grandmothers, later through bold paintings inspired by color, rhythm, and joy. Today, Fischer brings that sensibility to the Portland Art Gallery, where her vibrant fish paintings and playful compositions invite viewers to smile and linger. Raised by a sculptor mother who once greeted Joan’s high school dates with a blowtorch in hand, Fischer grew up surrounded by creativity. Now living and working between Portland and East Boothbay, she finds inspiration in Maine’s ever-shifting light and coastal landscapes. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and a deep belief that beauty belongs in the everyday. Join our conversation with Joan Fischer today on Radio Maine—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel.