About the Artist
A Morgan County, Indiana, resident for over 39 years, I hold degrees in engineering from both Penn State University and the University of Alabama. My ten years as a US Army officer included assignments throughout Germany and the United States, as well as a year in Vietnam. Following 25 years with General Motors and Rolls Royce in Detroit and Indianapolis, I retired in 1999. At that point I decided to develop my interest in art, which is attributable to my Dad, who was a talented theater and commercial artist. I have done drawing and painting, but discovered that I enjoyed much more working in three-dimensional art. I began sculpting in various mediums with much success, including acceptance to the 86th and 87th Annual Hoosier Salon exhibits and various other exhibits and awards..
When I decided to incorporate motion in my sculptures, I began studying and experimenting with kinetic art (mobiles). Because I have always loved the woods, particularly the deciduous woods of Indiana, I frequently hauled home branches and logs from my walks and hikes, Some of these I incorporated into sculptures, and I began to look at Indiana wood as a material for mobiles. After much experimentation and creation, I was delighted to have my large "Indiana Woods" mobile accepted to the 88th Annual Hoosier Salon Exhibit in 2012. To the best of my knowledge, that is the only piece of mobile art to be so honored thus far. My mobiles have since been included in many art shows and exhibits, and have won awards consistently.
"Nature's Jewelry by Joe" came about as a separate endeavor when my art mentor suggested that the individual wood elements of my mobiles would make beautiful jewelry. With that inspiration, I began creating wood pendants and earrings, some with minerals embedded, and these have proven to be very much admired and sought after at shows and sales in Indiana, as well as in shops. My jewelry and mobiles have been juried into Indiana Artisan, the brand that reflects “This is Indiana’s best.” (indianaartisan.org)
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