"I would call my work Mysticism, a bit Surreal in nature, as I draw my images from a dream state (imposed). I have no preconceived idea of what a painting (or a sculpture) will be until I begin working.”

Joe McGee, b. 1954, in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, graduated with honors from the University of Louisville in 1986, with a BFA in Sculpture, receiving a Winthrop Allen Award in his senior year. In the 30 plus years since graduation, McGee has maintained a constant biennial solo exhibit schedule of both his 2D and 3D art, showing mostly in regional universities. He also has participated in many group exhibitions over this period. McGee was awarded an SAF/NEA Fellowship in Drawing in 1988, and a KY Arts Council Professional Assistance Award in 1993. ​His artwork can be found in many private and public collections in the region.


Tell us about yourself and your background?
I received my BFA in Sculpture in 1986, from the Hite Art Institute, University of Louisville, Kentucky. I was 25 years old when I went back to college for a Fine Arts Degree, and had worked in construction until that point. I had no idea what being an artist was, I just wanted to be one. I have been making my art now on a daily basis since the mid 1970s. I always had to have a day job to support my family, but found I could set evening hours to work in my studio (right behind my house) to hone my craft.

"I feel fortunate to have my art, it keeps me balanced. The hours I spend on my craft give me great satisfaction, a sense of purpose... what more could one ask for?"

Tell us about your work and style, why it is unique?
I would call my work Mysticism, a bit Surreal in nature, as I draw my images from a dream state (imposed). I have no preconceived idea of what a painting (or a sculpture) will be until I begin working, either in frequent early morning sessions or my now decades habit of evening sessions in my studio, which is located right behind my home.

Tell us about your process and what you feel when you are creating?
I sit for a moment looking at my painting wall where the canvas hangs, drink a beer or two to find a relaxed state (in my evening sessions), listen to music (mostly Rock from my youth in the early 70s). Then quickly, I get up from my chair and begin putting paint onto the canvas, just like that. I feel something come from within, I seem to pull images out of a mental rolodex in my mind. I will paint, continuously stepping back to look at the composition from a distance, then attacking the surface again and again. Action painting! Only at the end of a session will I tie together a story perhaps that has appeared in a given work before stopping a session. The next time I come into the studio, I decide if my previous session was good or bad. If not, I will go back into the work, often many times in the days that follow. I do know when a work is finished, and will then let it rest.

"Viewers like my use of color, and the movement of my brushwork, and the connection to their own lives they might interpret in my storytelling, the shared human experience."

​What are your sources of inspiration?
I am a lover of Ancient Arts, my art heroes are from the Archaic Greek and Egyptian periods, from other past cultures I have studied in detail, not so keen on Modern Art though of course I am part of it. I read World History each day, a dedicated library patron here in Louisville, KY. The folly of mankind plays out over and over to this day. I don’t watch TV much. I like to go out in nature daily, watch the clouds. That sort of thing.

Why are you attracted to painting as your preferred medium?
I had been hurt (lower back) for many years, and had used painting as a preferred medium almost by necessity. Spinal surgery last summer has eased this pain, perhaps I may indulge in 3D soon. But, even while an art student, I always worked in both 2D and 3D mediums in my work. I feel confident in both, and for me it seems to keep the ideas flowing from my mind.

"The Mother Figure (Earth) appears on a regular basis in my art. I often work around the concept of death/rebirth and the Mother Figure has become a sort of deity for me. Other themes I repeat are Floral works and Equestrian works (this is Thoroughbred Horse country here in KY of course, I have long been around the horse and the industry for many years here in Louisville). And then, there is the Cult of Frida Kahlo, of which I am a longtime card carrying member! She is my muse!"
​

Tell us about some achievements and notable works?
Oh, after all these decades of making art, two large concrete sculpture commissions I did for the Brown-Forman Corp., at their Woodford Reserve Distillery located in Versailles, KY, stand out and give me a sense of accomplishment. For the cast
concrete sculptures (a KY Mother Figure in 1996, and my homage to the Horse, the figure cast in 2002) will be there for many years after I have left. In 2018, I showed my paintings, along with Textile Artist Penny Sisto (she is an amazing spirit and artist), in a 2-person exhibit honoring the life and work of Thomas Merton, the famed Trappist monk/mystic/author who spent half of his life at Gethsemani Abbey, located just below Louisville. The exhibit was at Bellarmine University, where Merton’s huge archives are housed. Merton of course, has influenced many, including me, with his teachings of Compassion and Self Introspection in matters of Faith.

Tell us about some of the themes and concepts that you have explored.
Looking back, I seem to have repeated a handful of themes (working in year-long cycles) over the years. The Mother Figure (Earth) appears on a regular basis in my art. I often work around the concept of death/rebirth and the Mother Figure has become a sort of deity for me. Other themes I repeat are Floral works and Equestrian works (this is Thoroughbred Horse country here in KY of course, I have long been around the horse and the industry for many years here in Louisville). And then, there is the Cult of Frida Kahlo, of which I am a longtime card carrying member! She is my muse!

"I like to think of my stories (my paintings /sculpture) as a conversation with all who share this world along with me. We are strangers of course! But that is OK with me, for it must be so. If my conversation is one on one, or to a mass audience, it makes no difference. For I have spoken and I have listened to the response."

What are you passionate about?
The Earth, my Family, my Art! But more than that, this shared experience as human beings on this planet gives me voice to share my stories through my art.

Tell us about some of the feedback you typically receive from people that discover your work.
Viewers like my use of color, and the movement of my brushwork, and the connection to their own lives they might interpret in my visual storytelling, the shared human experience.

What are you currently working on?
I was involved heavily in a 3 year project (2015-2018) leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the death of Thomas Merton.
​I immersed myself in his writings, in particular his Journals. I only did art based on my interpretations of his life, his teachings leading up to the December 2018 event. This was a very intense 3 year period for me, one of self-contemplation. I was drained after the conclusion and the exhibit. Since the conclusion, I have left Merton, waiting for another theme to emerge. Frida Kahlo has appeared again. And I drifted back into Equestrian Art and Floral Works as of late. But, I have yet to latch onto a definitive theme, just do whatever pops into my head! I am happy!

"Louisville, just big enough a city, is pretty diverse in its people and thinking. I was born here in 1954, and have lived in Louisville all my life. It’s a good homebase!"

What can we look forward to in the future – what directions will you be exploring?
I’m getting older, mid 60s, I will just keep going on with my art, painting in particular. As I have recovered somewhat from my back injury over the last months, I would like to do some sculptural work again soon. We’ll see!

Tell us about your location and its influence on your work.
Well, KY is about Bourbon and Thoroughbred Horses, Louisville big on both as we are home to Churchill Downs. Louisville is a funny place, sort of South, but more Liberal in politics and social views. Founded early in our nation's history, we sit on the Ohio River, which was the Mason-Dixon Line, the boundary line that separated the South and the North in our Civil War. Louisville, just big enough a city,  is pretty diverse in its people and thinking. I was born here in 1954, and have lived in Louisville all my life. It’s a good homebase!

"As humans, it seems we must make art. Art, the expression of our inner thoughts, the visual retelling of the world we see, we share, has been there for a long time." 

​
How do you feel about art and its role in the world today?
As humans, it seems we must make art. Art, the expression of our inner thoughts, the visual retelling of the world we see, we share, has been there for a long time. Just put one’s ideas on  the wall of a cave or something. Now, we place images on a phone for others to see, but isn’t it the same thing! Art defines us!

How you want your art to affect the viewer/ world?
I like to think of my stories (my paintings/ sculpture) as an ongoing conversation with all who share this world along with me. We are strangers of course! But that is OK with me, for it must be so. If my conversation is one on one, or to a mass audience, it makes no difference. For I have spoken and I have listened to the response.

www.joemcgeeart.com