“I want people to know this is what my childhood was like,” said Gullachsen. Joanne Gullachsen was born in Gimli, Manitoba in 1943. Joanne lived the majority of her life in Gimli, Manitoba. The second of five sisters she came from a large farming family. Joanne raised two sons as a single mother. Arthur (Michele), and Robyn Gullachsen. She lives on the original farmstead, although not in the original home, that has been in the family since 1875. Gullachsen’s maiden name is Johannson. Her great-grandparents settled from Iceland. Her grandfather, Jon Johannson, was the first white child born in this area, originally called New Iceland. The family hadn’t even built shelter yet. The child was born in October under a buffalo hide stretched into a lean-to. The road leading to the homestead is called Johannson Lane. Gullachsen’s art is so full of life, bright colours with a folk art style. Many people notice her work resembling Canadian Folk Artist Maud Lewis.

After receiving her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Manitoba, she worked as a teacher in the Evergreen School Division and later as a school Principal in First Nations's communities in northern Manitoba. Joanne's passion for education significantly impacted the lives of her students at the elementary level, and she is remembered fondly by many in the Interlake. Outside of the classroom, Joanne's interest in all forms of art made her a thriving member of the Gimli art community. In her retirement years, her home was an important stop on the Wave art tour. Embracing her Icelandic heritage in her later years, she was also a prominent member of the Kaffe Timi Icelandic language group that met on a weekly basis, and an honorary life member of the Icelandic National League of North America. Joanne passed away in September 2025, although her Art will live on.