Art by Poppet
My work captures moments of strength, vulnerability and timeless presence.
the artist
Joanne Real
I am a self taught contemporary figurative artist, using pop-influenced imagery and cinematic stillness to process my own experiences. My paintings are shaped by moments of introspection and emotional intensity, exploring identity, femininity, and the quiet strength that comes from pausing rather than pushing. I am drawn to faces that hold unspoken feeling and to images that feel suspended in time, influenced by classic Hollywood, modern iconography, and real life. Animals enter my work intuitively, often reflecting instinct, protection, or vulnerability. Each piece is created as a personal statement, meant to connect deeply and exist with calm authority in curated spaces. I sign my work as Poppet.
the
story
Poppet
I began painting in May 2025 after a difficult few years shaped by my daughter’s illness and the loss of my father. Having lived through a period of trauma earlier in my life, I was drawn back to stillness rather than survival, and painting became a place of solace and quiet expression. With no formal training or intention to become an artist, the work emerged instinctively, allowing me to process emotion, memory, and presence through figurative imagery. My practice developed through listening rather than planning, shaped by cinematic influence and symbolic intuition. I work under the name Poppet, a childhood nickname given to me by nan, which holds a sense of safety and reflects the emotional honesty at the heart of my work.
