Joan Gillespie studied at the Duncan of Jordanstone  College of Art in Dundee from 1972-75 under Alberto Morrocco and at Edinburgh College of Art  1975-76 under Sir Robin Philipson.  For the next seven years she was a graphics and exhibitions designer with The Royal Museums of Scotland, Edinburgh before leaving to paint full-time.   Joan has exhibited regularly with Richard Hagen Gallery, Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Glasgow Institute, Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours, Society of Artists and Artist Craftsmen and Valerie Brigitte Schehade, Paris.  Her awards include, Finalist in the Morrison Competition at the Royal Scottish Academy and Finalist in the Laing Landscape Competition.  Her paintings can be found in the private collections in the USA, France, Italy, Spain and Australia, and corporate collections of City of Edinburgh Art Collection, Trinity International Holdings, Watson Philips, Lord Laing, Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, Lord Booth, Sir Alistair Grant