Joni Osumi-Snow

Joni Osumi-Snow is a resident of Cumberland, Wisconsin. Her original home state and birthplace is the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Joni is a decedent of Portuguese settlers in Hawaii. The Portuguese were one of the allotted foreign groups of people allowed by King Kamahamaha to travel, settle and work the sugar plantations. In 1863, amongst the Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and a few other Euro individuals, the islands thrived into what is the world's largest melting pot.

Growing up in Hawaii was unique... What was ocean ( Makai ) on one side of each island, mountains ( Mauka ) were on the other. The island has only two seasons, winter ( hurricane/monsoon ) and summer. Winter is violent with high winds, heavy rains and high seas. Summer is calm, balmy and seductive in nature. Either season does demonstrate the best O Ka Aina ( Of the land ) in drama, color, shape, form and texture. Hawaii is bountiful and beautiful. And so, many of her subject matter and colors focus on the Aina.

Joni attended UWM-Milwaukee, eventually graduated from Mount Mary college- Milwaukee with a BS Degree in occupational therapy and a minor in art. Due to time constraints, drawing always remained a doodle past time during her 30 year career in occupational therapy. It was only until “retirement” ( She continues to work on a casual basis at Sacred Heart, Eau Claire,) the time was available to focus on art in the form of water color and acrylic painting. Retirement is a good thing.

Joni frequently states that retirement, for her, is another chapter where the drama, adventures and journey continues in fine art.