Joanne Evans paints still-lifes in a tradition that stretches back to the early 17th century when classical fine art departured from historical style and subject matter. Rather than art representing a human story, frequently religious, the artist made the work its own story. Color, light, texture, composition, balance, and detail became both the subject and the message. Flowers, fruit, animals, and other objects, always without human presence or representation, became still-life art. Throughout Europe, master artisans took up this new style. Evans continues it today.

As with the 17th Century masters, Evans captures her images with oil paint with rich, intense colors. Her 17th century-style "modified realism" requires an intense development of color value. She uses lights and darks to develop interest, depth, and focal point. To achieve the desired effect, Evans layers and glazes the paint. For example, rendering the multitude of subble colors in a magnolia blossome or the depth of the fur of a rabbit requires the careful application of multiple layers of paint.

Evans has been selected for the Directory of Traditional American Crafts each year since 2004.