About

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.

After running and owning travel businesses for 20 years, she left behind a successful career in luxury travel,  and 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.  As one of the most significant Australian artists of all time, his journey from Sydney to study in Paris ultimately led to finding a legacy within the not only the Australian Impressionist movement, but that of the French Impressionist masters. His great and enduring friendship with Van Gogh, and his artistic friendships with Monet and Matisse in Belle-Île-en-Mer, off the Northern Coast of France, is a story only some may know.  The Lost Impressionist art tours are an ode to his work and to celebrating pioneering Australian artists supporting important recognition of artist 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 creating tours that showcase hidden gems in Melbourne with impressionist Australian art by vibrant storytelling, bringing to life the rich history of renowned Australian artists. The Lost Impressionist is one of a handful of unique things to do in Melbourne, offering things to do in Melbourne for art lovers. We are proud to be offering one of the best historical tours in Melbourne.