HIS ART RELATES TO THE BACK COUNTRY

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival is February 17-19 this year. I had the chance to interview Joel Masewich, who lives in Canada, he'll be showing his art this year at the festival. Joel has been painting for 30 years and has been a full-time artist for the past 18 years. He is an abstract painter working with acrylic and oil on paper or canvas. Joel's work is popular with a multitude of corporate clients as well as personal collectors.

Joel Masewich

I asked Joel about his work, "I love your art, it looks almost like water and at times mountains. Are they landscapes or just abstract or is there a specific image we are looking at in most of them?"

Joel: "Yes. The paintings often do relate to a landscape inspired by a back country hike or canoe trip. I travel and paint small watercolors then develop them into the large format pieces."

He has done the collage work is last 10 years or so. "It began as an addition to the canvas becoming a stainless steel or copper technique. This involves hand sanding the stainless to achieve the reflections and detail of the landscape. A final powder-coated application uses transparent colors to enhance the composition. These metal elements are then bonded to the canvas surface," he says.

Joel's studio is the ground floor of his 1860 stone home. It has 12 foot ceilings and walls that are 17 inches thick. Jill, his wife, and he completely renovated the stable building 20 years ago with three small kids!

I asked Joel who his influences are. He says, "So many great artists have been directed my path. Gerhard Richter for sure. Also John Muir the founder of the Sierra Club, his writings have greatly influenced my way of living, being in nature. Alex Turner a former teacher and good friend, he taught color theory and all it can achieve in painting."

This is Joel's fifth year at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Each year he has participated in visiting artist program. This is where about 100 artists visit schools and give talks about their life and work.

I asked Joel about his impressions of Coconut Grove, he said, "The Grove is a wonderful, laid back neighborhood. The festival is such a great combination of incredible art and wonderful people. The CGAF festival is so well run and I am grateful to be included with all the diverse talented artists."

Growing up in Toronto Ontario, he and his wife moved to the village of Elora, northwest of Toronto to raise their children in a small town setting. "They are all grown up now but love returning to visit," says Joel.

Sounds a lot like Coconut Grove, so I can see why Joel likes it here.

Look for Joel and all the other great artists at the festival next weekend. You can see more of his work at his website here: joelmasewich.com