RECYCLED CANVAS HERE AT LAST

Think back to the last time you watched a young child in their highchair playing with their food. One dab of this and another dribble of that. On they play until their creation is completed, a quick glance to check if anyone sees their masterpiece. They needed a surface to build on. This is part of human nature to express what we feel. Dogs and parents are the clean up crew. We often hear of new discoveries of art on cave walls and clays and old ancient paintings. Messages from the past. 

Humans discovered paper made from wood pulp, tall grasses, mud, and animal skins. Anything that can be a smooth surface to create lasting messages in picture or developing words. Today plant based fibers have become the surface of choice. Fabric has always been labor intensive with growing, soaking, drying, rolling, spinning, and finally weaving. The products of the last few centuries were driving the humans involved to a long line of inventions. Until… 

Recently, I was hunting for surfaces to create on. I bagged a good one: A recycled 20x30 canvas. Recycled? Yes! This one is made 100% from 13 recycled plastic bottles for a smooth canvas surface. The canvas was even planet-thoughtful using stretcher bars with wood from 100% certified forests. 

Breakers, 20x30, acrylic on recycled canvas!

I bought the one canvas on display to test a painting. The painting went smoothly just like all other canvas surfaces. I felt liberated from the past and joyful for the future of this lovely place we call home. The sad part of this story is that I went back to the art supply store to buy more recycled canvas, but none were available with no expectation of ordering more from wholesale. The search is on.  I Finally found:

Liquitex.com/collections/recycled-plastic-canvas. I hope your search goes well. 

Happy painting, Joel

An Art Journey Continues

 We at Joel Ellis Art are in a new stage of working with paintings. First, of course, is the painting itself - thinking on visually prepping the surface, applying the techniques with brush and an assortment of tools, including lighting and securing the surface.

The next important step in developing a satisfying image is Time, uninterrupted Time. Some artists may require time to work on a project in a series of phases before the painting is declared acceptable. I generally operate in a long single session of the work. Next, for most artists, is the signature and a drying period. The intensity of this process often leaves me in a state of is-it-done? I remember my Dad took breaks from his very physical job to freely paint pictures just for the joy of it.

Purple Pair

Next, for me, however, and for the sake of accounting, each painting is recorded in an inventory log, I photograph the piece and when it is dry,
apply the finish. When ready, the painting is then stored numerically by its size on one of several metal racks in a secure holding room near the studio.

The business from here is to select some paintings for public viewing in one of our special galleries. This is a much grander experience. Making the painting is one thing. Promoting it is another thing altogether.

We hit a bump in the journey of selling the art works – a debacle with the email, an unattended website, a mailing list of multiple changes. We call the problem of such laissez-faire - Covid, but that is not totally the issue. Covid seemed to get in the way, but the truth is we must amend and face these barriers. We made a plan of showing selected pieces under a secure new email with art loving sources that we have worked with for years. We will also up the ante of the blog, play a bit with social media, and return to galleries that nurture Art and the artists.

                                                                Crystal Morning

Note: We could not have begun this new beginning in our communications without the astonishing assistance of our IT guy, Ryan, beloved grandson.

Currently some of my art is displayed throughout venues in the greater Mid-Michigan area, such as the beautiful Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso.

My new email is joelfellis.paintings@gmail.com

The blog address is joelfellisart@blogspot.com

I and my team (Helene) are looking forward to sharing with you the paintings I love. With all good wishes to you, Joel

Rue Nord South France

Spring is Calling Outdoor Artists

 
Signs of Spring are all about us. Robins dining in the wild cherry trees, geese heading north for their nesting grounds. They all seem so energetic. As for me, I’m looking through my Plein Air magazines for a spark to motivate the next painting.

I have tried actual Plein Air, or as some folks call it, outdoor painting. The preparation time is holding me back. Preparing to paint outdoors includes as many scenarios as possible that a painter might encounter. As I overthink the outdoor adventure, I ask myself questions and answer by gathering a lot of things that may need to be carried like the easel, canvases, the important painter case and all necessities. What if it rains? Will I need bug spray, tiedowns, a plan to deal with the temperatures (I live in Michigan)? Will I have to go, you know, go?  Will I need sustenance for this adventure?

Celebration

Dune Path

Vincent van Gogh also had a lot to say about painting out in nature. In his diary he lists a few of his nagging annoyances, like heat, rain, bugs, or the process of painting such as people watching and muttering about the work or about the painter. Even walking the dunes with a finished painting, Nature seems to play games with the artists' frustration - branches scratching the still wet work or sand blowing on a masterpiece, but somehow Van Gogh got the paintings back to his studio, his place of safety and comfort.

Lake Path 

I applaud dedicated Plein Air artists and their beautiful expressions of land and sea. But, for now I will stick to the place I know, my little studio with its work to-be-done and dreams to become real.

-Joel

If you are interested in seeing paintings by Joel F. Ellis, his art is appearing as Spring opens up in mid-Michigan venues.

The Mid-Michigan Art Guild member show in April will be presenting works by members at the Neighborhood Empowerment Center, Maple street in Lansing.

The McLaren Physicians Building; is presenting artists work from greater Lansing on three levels in the building– supported by the Lansing Area Arts Connection.

And a favorite venue in Owosso at the Shiawassee Arts Center has a popular Members Show in the great room as well as galleries throughout the building presenting inspiring original art in a wide variety of techniques. 

Why We Make Art

It’s been awhile since I have been at the blog and a lot has taken place for all of us. For me, the art

Quest 40x30

world has begun to recover from the pandemic with all of our routines coming back to our daily activities. Art shows and summer art events are beginning to pop-up making life brighter and just plain old fun again. We are sure to tell stories about the Covid event that changed us for years to come.

Many artists have experienced the awakening effects and the renewed tingle of joy for what we are called to do. I know this is clumsy, but the hardest task artists try is to explain why we make art. If you ever get a chance to ask the why question most will give a well-rehearsed answer. Let’s not go too far but think of the child we were a few years ago.  Some of us were labeled creative or arty when we just liked to draw, or paint or construct things or find ourselves in other creative arts - writing, music, theater. Anyway, we are here on this wonderful earth to enjoy and protect. We must use the gifts we have to support that overall good and continue to experience that tingle of joy at what has been created.     – Joel  Here comes Summer 2023, places to see Joel Ellis Art

My journey in the fine arts continues with new and exciting venues. Most recently we selected 20 larger favorite paintings for an installation on the main floor of The Armory in Owosso, Michigan. The works exhibited are part of the Michigan ArtShare project for art conversations both urban and rural. The Owosso Armory, at 215 N. Water St. in Owosso, is open week days from 9 to 5, on weekends when special events are scheduled.

The Owosso Armory show is planned to transfer my paintings on June 13th to another Urban Rural conversation site from Michigan ArtShare: Art634 in Jackson, Michigan, a fine venue supporting the arts. This show will be a shared art experience exhibiting my paintings along with the works of Timothy Orikri in a historic renovated building (once said to be a circus wagon factory)

Jackson is a unique and vital community support venue for the arts and artists. Watch for future updates.

Glacial Gift 36x36

Other travels of Joel Ellis Art include Owosso’s beautiful Shiawassee Art Center (SAC) overlooking the park along the Shiawassee River. SAC is filled in several galleries with one of a kind watercolors, oil and acrylic paintings, metal sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography. SAC center for the arts is a delight of creative stimulation. I was happy to see my large colorful painting, Glacial Gift, in view from the entrance to the art center clear into the main gallery. The painting is an homage to my long time interest in Geology. This membership show will be up until early July.

Stately Season 30x24

McLaren Physicians Building on Lake Lansing Road is also an ongoing source of viewing skilled art from local artists including two of my works this summer. 

We Are Stardust 36x36

Art of Looking at Art

Joel Ellis painting

How we view visual art comes natural to most of us. Some like the viewing to be warm and cozy realistic scenes with pleasing colors. Others would prefer a more dynamic event like leaning over a cliff to get the perfect camera angle. In a gallery setting there are viewers who stand face on with a painting, hands to face, staring, waiting for the perfect message to arrive.

At the Detroit Institute of Art viewers 
experience the work of Vincent VanGogh

While putting up the most recent show at the Armory, officially known as the Chamber of Commerce in Owosso, Michigan, we had office workers and casual visitors to the building stop and look at the installation in progress. They too were engaging in the art as the look of the large main entrance was changing. For the artist as curator, “putting up” a show means matching sizes, colors, form and frames as well as content of the works. Some of our office visitors were visibly pleased with their transformed environment.

Many people choose to place art objects in the surroundings of their personal spaces. Archeology digs are replete with artifacts that had significant meaning for the viewers of ancient times. They had their reasons of choice as we do. We too adorn our walls with what brings true emotional pleasure. Next time you have the experience of viewing art with other folks, please take a moment to consider what is before you the very expressions and definition of being human. 

Quest 40x30

   

The Owosso Armory, across the Shiawassee River from one of Michigan’s gems in art - the Shiawassee Art Center - will be displaying the Joel Ellis Art exhibition for a few weeks, possibly into June. As a project of Michigan ArtShare, the exhibit, or parts of, will be transported for showings in other Michigan sites participating in the Urban/Rural Conversation. I am also greatful to have some of my paintings in the beautiful Shiawassee Art Center (SAC), Lansing McLaren Physicians building, and other mid-Michigan community sites through summer. More about Joel Ellis Art will be announced through the year.

Enjoy this new season of original art as artists prepare to show their work. Joel

We Are Stardust 36x36 

Flower Box  24x30

Ocean Sunset  24x30

Vincent VanGogh and Artists Unknown

Helene and I often look at a piece of art and say we wish we knew the history, the life that it could tell, the creator’s hand, its travels to our time and place. Of course we realize that our own creations are also on their own journey.

Over these many years we have often “rescued” other artists’ works from thrift stores and property sales. In bringing these works into our own environment we have tried to protect them for a time from the ravages of their journey, pondering the art pieces path to this precarious position.

When we go to an estate sale we recognize and respect the home owner’s efforts of their life’s adventure. Their story is often told in their things, including art works, on sale in their homes.

A few years ago we went to a sale that blew us away by the sheer number of paintings lined up on a damp cement basement floor each at minimal prices. As we looked at each one, still life objects on canvas, portrait drawings, we knew we were having a rare moment. Our inquiries were simply answered that the artist passed away with only a disinterested family member far away. The artist did not try to sell paintings during her lifetime. We bought arm loads, cleaned the mildew and growing mold and carefully stored them until their story might continue into the future.

Every active artist ponders their works and wonders what will happen to their pieces on shelves, in cupboards, and stacked under beds. Who will take that second look and maybe say, well done artist, I hope you had a life fulfilled.

First Light 30x40 acrylic, currently at MEDC

I am back to painting and feeling great. We are very pleased that Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recognizes Michigan artists as a part of their mission of economic development. Currently, arranged through Michigan ArtShare, I have 14 paintings on the main floor of the MEDC building, 300 N. Washington, Lansing. MEDC is open week days during regular business hours.

In addition, I also have two paintings in the McLaren Physicians Building, Lake Lansing Rd., Lansing Michigan. I also have submitted a few paintings at the beautiful Shiawassee Art Center, Owosso Michigan. It feels so good to be back producing and sharing paintings.

One of the most inspiring events of last year was a trip to Detroit Art Institute to see over 70 public and private masterpieces of the one and only Vincent VanGogh. This wonderful exhibition is only shown at the DIA and only here in the U.S. until January 22. We hope you will try to get to the show within the few days remaining.

If you know of friends and others interested who would like to receive the Joel Ellis Art blog news, please share the contact. The website will be updated soon. Thank you for your patronage and your appreciation of artist’s expressions. Temporary contact address: helliesplace@outlook.com. 

Here Today 16x20 acrylic

Purple Dunes 16x20 acrylic painted edge

Art at Shiawassee Art Center

Though we are looking at a slow spring, I am still encouraged to travel to the incredible Great Lakes for some fresh reference photos to inspire new visions of my painting subjects.

Wild Summer, 30x40 oil

We  went to Shiawassee Art Center (SAC) to see the latest exhibit by regional artists on cats. It was good to see the artists play with the cat theme in colorful and poignant ways. I always enjoy coming here, it's a cheery place as staff member Linda acknowledged. 

First Light, 30x40

 

Folks at SAC are preparing for an exceptional 50^th anniversary in August. Lots of fixups are planned around this beautiful Michigan art facility during May to August. One thing during the summer is a Pop-Up Gallery in downtown Owosso staffed by volunteers exhibiting and selling art for three months before the big celebration.

Those are the planning thoughts, but as Charles Schultz’ little dog Snoopy would say when starting his creatives, “It was a dark and stormy night…”  It has been a long time since the last blog post and a lot has come my way. A few health issues that are under control and I am back to painting, back to the routine that makes me happy.

Joel

Peaceful Morning, 16x20

Strait Ahead, 30x30

One Month Later

February 11, 2022

I heard the news today; oh boy … famous words from the Beatles sure express my take on the world stage, so I take a step back and concentrate on the stuff where I can have some influence. The chest pains from one month ago did change my perspective on living and helped me dial in on what really matters. I was painting and felt suddenly ill, all the classic signs of, well you know. Leaving the studio, my thoughts were, could this be my last painting? The good news - all is improving and back to the painting soon. In one month you can sure rank your priorities and look to future works being completed. Thanks to family, friends and most of all the medical community that provided great care.

Evening Spirit
(January 11, 2022)

To get back to painting I needed a little warmup time so I found some stretcher bars. These wooden frame-like devices are for stretching canvas and securing tightly with tacks or staples ready for a gesso base and a surface to lay out dreams. So I stretched two canvases and will be painting again soon. 

JOEL, a greatful artist

Flowers on the Wall

Dreaming

                                                                                     

 

2022 Getting Back to the Studio

          I always start a new blog post by reading a few of the comments covered in previous posts. So today past epistles have been reviewed and with a subtle smile and hope new insights and connections are revealed on the stuff of art . 

Purple Dune

         The spirit, inner light or whatever you wish to call the inner drive to create, can at times be defused, as we all know, by outside forces, and sometimes we have very little control over this mysterious impasse. A young artist I know who is full of bright ideas and not fettered by fancy art training but full of the joy of life suddenly stopped creating and was very solemn for weeks. A few days ago the joy of art making slipped back into place and a very complex drawing came back to the relief of all. To quote the artist, “I thought I lost my art.” 

          One of those outside forces, The Pandemic, is still here and as I write this I am still in my PJs at 10:30 in the morning. Oh well, we soon will be back to the studio. Galleries are waiting and we are making plans for another season of exhibiting new art. 

         We currently have four works at the Shiawassee Art Center (SAC). If you yearn for filling your heart with quality, original art in a beautiful winter setting you should plan for a visit to SAC this month in Owosso Michigan, open daily. These folks know how to decorate. 

          We are also happy to have two paintings in the Mid-Michigan McLaren Physicians building on Lake Lansing Road, Lansing, MI. We were scheduled to present a number of paintings at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, 300 Washington Ave, Lansing Michigan, for a newly renovated opening, but the show has been put on hold because of , guess what –the haunting Pandemic in Michigan. Please where ever you go this season to see the art that lifts you, please wear a mask and be sure you are fully vaccinated, be a warrior against the virus and its friends. 

         Wishing the holidays will bring us joy and hope for the New Year and may we all find our art.  Joel       Joelellisart.com

Florence at Dawn

                      

Rue du Nord

Peaceful Morning

                

Joel Ellis Art needs Flowers and Journals

I must have flowers always and always –Monet          

Ten Tulips
Favorite of
Helene's Mom

It is the end of summer with all its tricks, heat, humidity, mosquitoes and the end of waiting for the stuff of life to get back to, well you know do I dare say, normal.  We all hope to get that summer trip in before we are tied into our autumn routine. And, of course, we always hesitate regarding the pandemic.

O yes flowers, I hope you have noticed the flowers wild and planted by well-intentioned humans. What a year for flowers. As I type this last sentence, I looked around the house and see several new flower paintings mixed with old favorites. Careful traveling has helped put most of us in touch with things of beauty and meaning and given us time to reflect on the elements of our life that are so important to us.

Purple Pair, once in a botany
exhibit at Rackham Hall, 
University of Michigan

For years I have tried to keep a journal of the events that have been presented to us on this very interesting art journey. The hard cover journals keep piling up. A few years of the records were miss placed but after a thorough search the history records have been found. Reviewing the years in these pages is quite the long and revealing read. The journals became an important element of an ongoing and evolving inventory. After years of good tries at record keeping, we have finally a professional IT grandson to help with this daunting task on the location of missing paintings - where is it? Or where was it? Do we still have it hidden like the journals? Ryan’s good skill with Excel is proving to be a wonderful gift to help us into a more accurate record of the art inventory.

  

Elizabeth's Iris
For my Mom in her
last years

As for me and painting I am reminded of a good friend’s encouragement many years ago, “Bloom where you are planted.” Thank for your advice Janet S. and Claude Monet 

These are a few of my flower paintings over the years, most are in private homes.

Summer Joy, 36x36
(recently sold, displayed 
 the owner's charming
bathroom)

  

       

            

           Lellow (named by a darlin child)

Golden Flowers, 30x40
For our favorite granddaughter.
(Our only granddaughter)

Is It Over Yet?

 Could it be over? You know, the Covid thing that has changed our lives so much. It seems so strange how the world’s people have been put to the test of a century and humanity is coming out of its greatest challenge with a new compassion for all the subtle joys.

I have been hoping to compose that paragraph for months and it looks like we will truly be back to our former routines with a greater appreciation for the thing we took for normal.

The fine folks at Shiawassee Art Center (SAC) have strived to keep a positive arts environment alive through these times with variations on their shows and they, too, are back. SAC requested keeping three paintings from the recent featured artists show to display currently with my newest painting going in mid-June for the Membership Show.

Tranquility, 24x28 oil on linen. One of three Joel Ellis paintings, 

popular in the virtual Featured Artists Show in March, 

invited to be retained in the SAC gallery for summer 2021. 

Let me tell you a little about the latest painting. I had taken an especially dynamic photo a few years ago that continues to stand out when I am getting ready to paint. Of course the image was on a Lake Michigan dune. All the things I like to paint were on full glory display that day - sky, dunes, clouds and water. The 30x40 canvas was ready, dreamy Debussy music and sweet memory of a perfect summer day. The paint and the music blended to create a strong work. I finished and walked away feeling great. A few hours passed, so I took a sneak peek at the new masterpiece. I was surprised and deflated. So I put the canvas away for another day trying not to beat myself up too much. 

Pine Bay 20x16, currently displayed at 

McLaren Physicians Building Lansing, Michigan

After a few days I carefully took a quick glance at the dune painting. With a couple of changes it began to show improvements, not there yet but a little better. My patience was wearing thin. I took a crumpled paper towel and dabbed it in yellow and orange paint, plopped it on the foreground and suddenly the painting popped to life. I will include that painting in a future blog.

If you have read this far you know painting is an adventure, a touch of this, a touch of that and each work of art becomes a kind of magic that artists try so passionately to convey to viewers.

If you are in Michigan this summer and seek a lovely place to view art, include a visit to Shiawassee Art Center in Owosso in your plans.   Happy viewing. Joel  

Starting Again from a Hard Year

It was a dark and stormy night. … It was the best of times. … It was love at first sight. … whew. … Hard to get started again. Picking up the pieces of art work from where we left off many months ago, and knowing that some things will be forever changed keep us going. We still look for beauty and goodness all around us and hope to nurture that goodness in us all. 

Tranquility 20x24

We still have art shows and moments of inspiration that keep the new paintings coming. A few paintings have reflected the difficult times we all have experienced but for the most part we are able to start again in the paintings to come. We are very happy to be part of an elegant art show for the next few weeks at one of our most beautiful venues, Michigan’s Shiawassee Art Center. Over a dozen of my paintings are on display and online and in the gallery. The online experience is quite easy to use and fun too. 

Follow the link for a virtual tour: https://shiawasseearts.org/current-show/. Five artists of various genres in the greater Lansing area are presenting at Shiawassee Art Center from March 16 - April 25. Scroll down the fine art works of two or three other artists to see the Joel F. Ellis contribution to the show. Tap on a piece of interest to enlarge and view details of the work. 

Goldenrod Summer 24x30

Wait, wait there’s more – Sunday March 21 is an Open House for both in person or the virtual show from 12 to 4pm. There is a 20% discount for one piece of art purchased during the open house hours. 

AND To watch a brief video interview of Meet the Artist Joel Ellis click the following link: https://youtu.be/HYQtNGh4AAA 

This has been a very busy recovery time from the hard last year. We would like to thank Jennifer Ross, staff and volunteers at Shiawassee Art Center for a great job organizing the many parts of this exhibit. Thank you also Honorable & Mrs. Gerald Lostracco for their sponsorship. Finally, much thanks to my colleagues and their inspiring art: 

Autumn Embrace 16x20

Jane Reiter, Rhonda Sherwin, Sheryl Stephens, Pamela Wilburn. 

I hope you enjoy the art as much as I have enjoyed producing it. Joel

Keeping an Artist's Journal

Never be without your little pad. - Leonardo DaVinci

(Including samples of Joel Ellis art) 

Ok, I confess I do keep a journal. Well the thing keeps me on track in those moments of low inspiration. The goal is to record the activities of this very unusual journey through the creative process and yes, it is a big plus helping with the business part too.

Ephemeral Moment, sold at Shiawassee Art Center 

Everyone who uses a journal develops their own way  and purpose. Is it a record of the works produced or is it a commentary of the Times influencing the work? Working under the restrictions of a world-wide pandemic, for instance, may call for a lot of comments.  For me the art journal is a piece of evolution regarding my art, consequently, it has also been an ongoing process with many comments like, “darn, why didn’t I think of that sooner?’’ Each artist will develop their own style based on purpose. Here’s something to think about - along the way the journal itself may also be collected as art.

Autumn Dune Grasses, expressionism

Earth Cycle, an exercise in abstract

Here are some points for a record keeping journal that also turns into a business record.

•             Create an art journal in a notebook that has a wide left hand margin to record several items, dated, about that piece of work. The entry on the more spacious right hand side should include a description and rough sketch of the piece.
•             Develop an inventory numbering system for each piece of art - place it on the back of the actual work and in the left margin of the dated journal entry. 
•             With the inventory #, dimensions, medium, here’s  the fun part - when sold place a big $ sign under the date of entry, and any other fun information on that entry such as where it was shown, when, and if known who purchased the piece.
•             The commentary parts of my journals, based on what is going on around me or notes of the Times, are also dated and blended into the record keeping part. I also note quotes or books I have read for future reference. This works for me, but like I said, everyone has their own way. 

The last few months I have been recording world events affecting me that give future viewers a look into the environment the paintings were created. These journals become a time capsule for future generations.

Thank you for visiting the Joel Ellis Art blog. Best wishes in the coming season to you and those you love.

Joel

Helene's Cosmos, water color on paper

Epiphany of Three Elements

        I was asked recently what goes through my mind as I work on a painting. If the working environment is conducive to the task, the elements of working a painting seamlessly usually come together without great effort. For me, there is always a tug of war with the natural flow of where the painting seems to magically appear or when it seems to fight back. The fight back experience makes the finished product sweeter. We artists like to call this the learning curve. For me the learning is ongoing and is intensified with the unusual struggle that sometimes makes the successfully completed painting even more rewarding.

        But what is going through my mind?  Why do I put myself through this arduous experience … why was I not a potter or maybe a blacksmith?

       The important elements that I want to be present at each creation are the basic factors that make a painting “work”. These are the times to step back, sip some tea and review the basic elements of a good painting. Are they here in this painting, I ask, and do they work together to tell the story that was intended? One last filter that helps me review the nearly finished painting include a check of three painting elements:     simplify, intensify, and unify.

       Recent works still challenge that process. I love dunes and paint a lot of them. Once in awhile a painting of these fine physical gifts of nature rises above (pun intended) other painterly expressions. Strait Ahead, was finished a few days ago, completed in two long sessions. It began simply – a horizon meeting a summer sky. But then the work began to intensify its surroundings. Using the pallet knife, brushes, fingers, I felt exuberant with the motions. Finally I knew I had to unify the elements before me – clouds, grasses, sand path. Three simple measures led me to a comforting satisfaction.  

As Joseph Campbell said,
Following your ‘bliss’, As much as you can, do what you love. (The Art of Fine Art).

An Artist's Life in the Pandemic

       It has been a long time and much has transpired since the last blog post in February. We all have experienced seismic changes in our lives. The daily routines that glue our lives together have been severed and new ones put into place that we have started calling the new normal. I will say that making good use of time we tackled the old inventory records with lots of cross referencing from very early works to the most recent paintings. We are now able to look at a clean slate of years of painting and know the history of  this pleasant job.

       Last year was our most rewarding and affirming art year with many sales and positive connections. Thanks to all the wonderful folks sharing positive feedback for my work. As this year unfolds there are early indications of continued interest in the arts with venues making plans for new and interesting openings, though most for 2021.

       The paintings that I have been working on have a sense of darkness that goes against my personal reason for making art, so I take a deep breath turn off the media and get a sun brewed ice tea to face the darkness with courage and do what painters do… paint.

Again, thank you friends and patrons, here are a few of the new pieces from the new life.  Joel

Wash Away   16x20   oil on linen

Pine Bay  20x16   oil on linen

Forest Dreams   30x24   acrylic on linen

Flowers on the Wall  12x16    acrylic on linen