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Purple Sky
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Indigo
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Artist Biography:
Joseph Alexander graduated in 1973 with a degree in Architecture from Lawrence Technological University in Michigan. He studied oil painting from Russel Keeter at the Center for Creative Studies from 1975 to 1980.
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Studied:
Lawrence University .BS in Architecture 1968-1973 Design
Center For Creative Studies 1975 - 1980 fine arts | | |
Exhibition Record (Museums, Institutions and Awards):
His paintings "Purple Sky" received a “Best of Show” at the 1985 Macomb Arts Council, Annual Show, Michigan
Third Place at the Michigan State Fair, 1989. | | |
Exhibition Record (Galleries and Art Shows):
2004-2009 Alexandratos Gallery, Reno, NV
1992 Biegas Gallery, Detroit, MI
1991 Biegas Gallery, Detroit, MI
1991 Mt. Clemens Art Center, Mt. Clemens, MI
1990 Biegas Gallery, Detroit, MI
1990 Gallery 354, Grosse Pointe, MI
1989 Michigan State Fair
1987 Macomb Arts Council, Macomb County, MI
1986 Saper Gallery, East Lansing, MI
1985 Macomb Arts Council, Macomb County, MI
1982 Lambic Fine Arts, Ltd., New York City, NY
1975 Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
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Cross References and Sources:
.Collectors in New York, New Jersey, Florida and Michigan and England have purchased his work.
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Artist Statement:
Over the years, my artwork has evolved from a cluttered look of too much thinking to one with the essence of a simple design. A painting should have large areas of solid color or silence to counterbalance the detailed activity. Many small sketches, about two by two inches are quickly drawn then developed more fully with reference photos into oil paintings. Some landscapes are done completely from nature.
Most of my new ideas are inspired from dreams and meditations. A visual language of symbolic images creates a unique vision of reality (sometimes named style.) A series of ten to twelve paintings will develop the necessary depth to understand each idea. For example, my series “Blue Nights” are evening landscapes which have black outlines and dark blue skies. The “Shell Series” encompasses the ocean and nautilus and conch shells. . These symbols and more are being explored within each painting/series. A group of my paintings and drawings revolve around the concept of geometric forms, for instance the painting of a black panther whose eyes become emerald shaped. The abstracts have a balanced design of free formed shapes and hard geometrics, or curved lines and straight lines. This type of artwork balances the duality of the psyche, by deeply looking inside the mind to bring up universal forms.
The recent paintings are all in oil, with the goal of expressing symbols that bring to our awareness deeply held beliefs about mankind’s potential. The symbol of the shell represents evolution; the series of paintings with black edges and blue skies is the feminine energy. Some of the landscapes can be viewed upside down and still be understood, for example the painting “Double Light” looks like a landscape right side up but upside down it can be as seascape. The paintings “Dawn Merge” and “Purple Sky” are also of this nature.
I have been Influenced intellectually by the philosophy of Classical Greek and Indian cultures, such as the ancient Greek idea of the beauty leading to the good; and, especially the Indian belief in reincarnation as the major force behind the growth of consciousness and mankind’s physical and spiritual evolution. Slowly we are evolving into a more refined outlook Great masters like DaVinci, Vermeer, and Monet view the world in such a beautiful way they are an inspiration to everybody to experience life in an uplifting way. The world will always evolve upward from the gross to the subtle plane.
Technique is important- to express yourself clearly, but the symbolic content and awareness of the artist is the real essence of creativity and great Art.
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