Joe Bishop is the Featured AAFC Artist for March and April. His exhibit will be on display March 11 to May 6, 2017 and he and Pat will be in attendance for the 3rd Friday Receptions March 17 and April 21, 4-8pm.
Joe was born in Portland, ME in 1982. He has always been in a wheelchair and unable to speak, due to a rare birth defect. In 2006 Joe discovered painting. He prefers oils because they are forgiving and rich. He paints with the help of adaptive equipment, such as a splint to help him hold his brushes, a windmill easel and a palette holder.
Painting has opened up a whole new world for Joe and has quickly become his passion. Because he is nonverbal, art allows him to voice his feelings, opinions and ideas and connect with his world. Painting also allows him to give something back to his community. Most of all, art gives Joe an identity; he is now Joe, the artist.
Joe loves color, textures, and opposite concepts and his paintings reflect his interests. He loves the outdoors and especially water. He finds inspiration from the world around him. Joe also uses the metaphor of “being trapped inside a bottle” in his art to describe his feelings about his disability. Joe has a studio at Cottonwood Center for the Arts and has earned a BFA from CSU Pueblo in 2014. He hopes to continue learning and growing as an artist, as well as a human being.
You can see more of his work at his studio and website:
Cottonwood Center for the Arts, studio 237
Beyondmywheelchair.net
Patjoe6@msn.com