The Lost Impressionist is the vision of Joanna McOwen, an award winning career travel and tour operator and Australian, contemporary visual artist. After gaining a BA (Hons) in Textile Design and a postgraduate certificate in Interior Design from the renowned Chelsea College of Art, London, Joanna’s great passion for adventure led her into the travel industry in 1997.

Leaving behind a successful career in luxury travel she returned to her first love—painting—and her deep appreciation for art history. Captivated in her early years by Monet’s work whilst on a school trip to the Louvre in Paris, Joanna has dedicated much of her spare time in researching the story of Australia’s Lost French Impressionist, John Russell, after a chance encounter in a Victorian regional library. She shares the view that his exquisite work and life story should be celebrated and that he is one of the most significant Australian artists of all time. His journey from Sydney to paint alongside his great friends, Monet, Van Gogh and Matisse is a long forgotten story. The Lost Impressionist art tours are an ode to his work and form part of the important recognition of his legacy here in Australia. The Lost Impressionist tour collection is a celebration of significant Australian artists and their stories in the golden lands of Australia.

With her own work exhibited and collected worldwide, Joanna combines her expertise in crafting immersive travel experiences with her passion for impressionist Australian art and storytelling, bringing to life the rich history of renowned Australian artists.