Artist Statement
Why do I create? Well, there is this internal pressure that drips on my mind everyday and builds up to maddening pressure if I ignore it. I must release this pressure by creating or expressing something. Ideas, connections, modification and insights hurl themselves into my head and I capture them on paper to refine and build on later. I find so much joy in a well crafted piece of work it reinforces the process.
I create to make forms, shapes, energies, and ideas flow from my mind to their medium in pleasing and interesting ways. I see some inspiration in a historical artifacts, shape in nature, or a doodle and work that form into something that flows and harmonizes. I am enchanted by the way one curve can flow into another and build a symphony of visual movement.
I use Ziran to describe my approach to sculpture because of my focus on simplicity. I like to use simple ingredients: branches, stones, and sand. Or simple concept (a circle) with a as few elements as possible. Nature is a fascinating, rich, and aesthetically appealing medium. I do not need to embellish it make it to make it interesting. Rather I simplify it to make it easier to appreciate.
When I approach a new location, I do not have a sculptural piece or form in mind. I meditate on the landcape and the elements with in it. I walk through it; take time to observe the shapes, colors, and textures; What associations form; What would work well together. The land influences me, as much as I direct it.
I have friends that do not understand the "artistic conversations" and that should not be a barrier to enjoying art. Through my interest in symbols I investigate them as a universal language and use symbols as subjects. I like to think of myself as a citizen of the world and research interesting forms from whichever culture and time they come from. The culture that influences me greatly are: Medeival N. Europe and Japan, Maouri, and Scythian.
I revel in taking dreams and imagination and making them real and believable. As a child my dearest wish was to visit the lands of fantasy books. James Gurney painted such realistic fantasy pictures, I could believe in their reality. Gurney has inspired me down the path of realist fantasy painting. My other greatest influence is Andy Goldsworhy. I am inspired by his intuitive and ephemeral works. I want to make work that follows the Dao of nature as he does.
I create to make forms, shapes, energies, and ideas flow from my mind to their medium in pleasing and interesting ways. I see some inspiration in a historical artifacts, shape in nature, or a doodle and work that form into something that flows and harmonizes. I am enchanted by the way one curve can flow into another and build a symphony of visual movement.
I use Ziran to describe my approach to sculpture because of my focus on simplicity. I like to use simple ingredients: branches, stones, and sand. Or simple concept (a circle) with a as few elements as possible. Nature is a fascinating, rich, and aesthetically appealing medium. I do not need to embellish it make it to make it interesting. Rather I simplify it to make it easier to appreciate.
When I approach a new location, I do not have a sculptural piece or form in mind. I meditate on the landcape and the elements with in it. I walk through it; take time to observe the shapes, colors, and textures; What associations form; What would work well together. The land influences me, as much as I direct it.
I have friends that do not understand the "artistic conversations" and that should not be a barrier to enjoying art. Through my interest in symbols I investigate them as a universal language and use symbols as subjects. I like to think of myself as a citizen of the world and research interesting forms from whichever culture and time they come from. The culture that influences me greatly are: Medeival N. Europe and Japan, Maouri, and Scythian.
I revel in taking dreams and imagination and making them real and believable. As a child my dearest wish was to visit the lands of fantasy books. James Gurney painted such realistic fantasy pictures, I could believe in their reality. Gurney has inspired me down the path of realist fantasy painting. My other greatest influence is Andy Goldsworhy. I am inspired by his intuitive and ephemeral works. I want to make work that follows the Dao of nature as he does.
A bit more about Josh
I would consider myself an artist, illustrator, sculptor and all around renaissance man. However, I pay my bills with my day job as an IT
professional. I have many crafts, skills, and hobbies that he incorporates into his art and am inspired by many things in his environment, different cultures, and history. His current list of crafts and mediums include: Print, Wood , Metal , and leather.
Son of Boyd and Karen, both teachers, Josh was born In Texas, grew up in Israel (during the Gulf War), moved to Chicago for middle school, followed by St. Paul for high school. He went to Houghton College in upstate NY and graduated from Northwestern College as a Studio Arts Major under the training of Joseph Smith.
He travels as much as possible, has visited four of the seven continents. His favorite places are: Tokyo, Japan; Jerusalem, Israel; Rome, Italy; and St. Paul, MN. Josh religiously goes camping several times a year.
professional. I have many crafts, skills, and hobbies that he incorporates into his art and am inspired by many things in his environment, different cultures, and history. His current list of crafts and mediums include: Print, Wood , Metal , and leather.
Son of Boyd and Karen, both teachers, Josh was born In Texas, grew up in Israel (during the Gulf War), moved to Chicago for middle school, followed by St. Paul for high school. He went to Houghton College in upstate NY and graduated from Northwestern College as a Studio Arts Major under the training of Joseph Smith.
He travels as much as possible, has visited four of the seven continents. His favorite places are: Tokyo, Japan; Jerusalem, Israel; Rome, Italy; and St. Paul, MN. Josh religiously goes camping several times a year.
Where do I create?
I currently create at the Hack Factory in minneapolis and all sorts of things are produced there. However I am thinking, creating and refining on the go as I am a very mobile and nomadic person. I carry my moleskin-esque note book on my person almost at all times. I use pinterest to gather ideas