Hello. My name is Joseph.
I am a visually-focused, arts-collaborating, paradigm-challenging, warrior-poet currently based in Southern Maryland.
Welcome, Internauts! My purpose for this space is to report on what I discover along my artistic journey. It is here that I will update you on my work, the meaning behind it, my ongoing projects and bits of my life that you might find interesting.
I hope you find inspiration and look beyond the surface of what is, to the possibilities of what could be.
(if I got rid of my beard, my eyebrows would take over my face and possibly the world)
A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY WORK
My visual practice covers a wide range of styles. The search for my unique voice often parallels the desire in me to provoke deep thoughts and complicated emotional states in the observer. Although I prefer the challenge of multiple thin layers of acrylic on canvas, I also dabble in watercolor, collage, and digital work.
Much of what I would consider my "finished work" is approached from an analytical perspective. I'll take a fresh idea or a conceptual seed and explore it's component parts and their origins. I'll often research the etymology of the words I'm using to describe the subject matter and try to grasp how they relate to one another. Once I have boiled the various elements down to their essence I begin to give life to these elements and attribute to them relational properties, internal motivations, and visual voices that will lay the groundwork for the conversation that they will have on the canvas.
Once on the canvas my focus then becomes to get out of the way as much as possible and rely only on rules of logic, relational theory, principles of graphic design, and visual intuition to allow the idea to reconstitute itself. Much of the time spent on a work comes from sitting back and trying to listen to what has just been said.
Sometimes my work is put aside for long periods of time because the canvas has "gone quiet." Other times my work becomes so dense that it becomes a "seed concept" for me to unpack and explore further.
Southern Maryland Artists Collective
My desire for greater community with my fellow artists has led me to develop several artist groups over the past decade. After a few misfires, the [open space project] was launched in 2015. We opened our doors wide by inviting artists of all kinds and having both visual and musical events which we called "happenings."
SMAC was officially started in 2017 with the help of fellow artists Eric Giles and Laura Lisak. It has the same welcoming spirit as [osp] with a greater focus on practical and professional development.
We are still going through some growing pains, but I am more committed than ever to the goal of adding value to our arts community by continuing to improve the structure, direction and opportunities that SMAC has to offer.
Let me know if you would be interested in helping me re-imagine the next great artist's collective in Southern MD
Interested in working together?
One aspect of my practice that allows me to improve my work and my relationships with other artists is collaboration. Whether it's just tossing ideas back and forth or actually working together on a piece, working together on something can really open up your possibilities.
Choose "collaboration" on the contact form and send me a message, and let's see what happens!
Looking for something specific?
I've done everything from album art and gig posters to fine art paintings for my close friends. If you see a style that you like, I'm all ears.
Give me your info and the nature of the work you are interested in and I will respond with an estimate and a time frame. While I may not be able to take on all projects, I might be able to refer you to an artist that is better suited to your project.