Joan Griffiths Artwork Donated to Resthaven Paradise

Resthaven Paradise is thrilled that renowned artist and resident, Joan Griffiths, donated of one of her own beautiful paintings to the site. A plaque was unveiled to acknowledge the generous donation. 

Joan, who has lived at Resthaven Paradise for nearly two years, will be able to admire the large ‘pioneer’-themed landscape from the comfort of her own room.

"It was such a beautiful piece, it needed its own wall," says Manager, Belle Kerr.

"Where else but in the hallway directly in front of Joan’s room?"

Joan, who was born in Suffolk, England, was creative from a young age, heavily influenced by her father, John Fenton, a well-known watercolour artist.

She studied at the Ipswich School of Art, and spent her early years accompanying her father on his painting trips in and around East Anglia.

In 1957, Joan moved to Australia with her husband, David, and their two children. The next few years were spent settling into a new country and raising a family.

In 1970, Joan and David entered the Christian Ministry, where they remained for eight years, before an early retirement.

"I was worn out after the Ministry," says Joan. "Taking up painting again helped me to relax."

Most of Joan’s artwork focuses on pioneer landscapes. "I wanted to capture what they would have seen when they arrived in Australia," she says. "I always had a feeling for the pioneer story."

"I especially love old cottages; I love to lean out of the window of an old ruin and think, 'Who else looked out of this window? What was their life like?'"

"I try to put that feeling into the canvas."

Joan is also a dab hand at tapestries, having weaved many intricate pieces in her time.

"I used to dye and spin my own wool, and spend months weaving it into a tapestry," she says.

"You would work on the loom all day and get about this much done," she says, holding her fingers about an inch apart.

"It definitely took some patience!"

Joan has successfully exhibited in most Adelaide art exhibitions, the Ant Hill Gallery at Broken Hill, and galleries in the mid north.

She and David now both reside at Resthaven Paradise, and they are very happy there. Their adjacent rooms are both hung with many of Joan’s paintings and tapestries.  

"It took me awhile to get used to setting up my painting things in my room," she says.

"But I’ve been here for 18 months now, and the staff are very good – they look after me well."

Click here to find out more about Resthaven's aged care services.