Joan Marie Evans Bridges, outsider folk artist, was born in Natchez, MS, in 1934. She is one of five siblings, all within two years of age. She now lives in Pineville, Louisiana, near Alexandria. When she was just a child, this self-taught artist's mother died while her father was away, and she and her four sisters were sheltered by a "caring black woman named Annie" until the father returned, removed the children, and put them in an orphanage. This trauma is reflected in Bridges' paintings. Every painting is a story; a frequent memory is living with Annie. Joan Bridges has suffered from depression for many years and pains to work herself out of it. The wax medium she uses is derived from candle wax, blended with crayons of various colors. Her technique of painting with melted wax provides a translucent relief of colors and layers. Some of her works are more abstract designs than figures. Some of her paintings include her poetry. He work is also carried by many galleries.