Etheard Joseph

As a multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and entrepreneur, my work is a daring and unapologetic exploration of life's tapestry—from the environment and human emotion to the realms of thought and dreams. My practice, spanning painting, photography, moving images, drawing, and collage, is driven by an inherent need to tell stories in unparalleled ways.

My recent relocation to Jupiter, Florida, has ushered in a profound shift in my artistic perspective. Inspired by South Florida's vibrant beauty, my new painting series, "Paradise," reflects this evolution through a completely transformed color palette. I now immerse myself in happy, vibrant, and tropical hues, capturing the essence of water, boats, people, beaches, and marine life—ultimately portraying my personal version of paradise.

Beyond my studio, I'm deeply committed to fostering artistic community and environmental stewardship. My mini-documentary series, "ArtISts Connecting South Florida," spotlights diverse creatives that are shaping our communities, while "The Discarded Fishing Line Art Project" transforms discarded fishing lines and marine debris into public art and engaging workshops, allowing me to play an active role in preserving the nature I so deeply love.

"Have you ever looked up at a late, warm summer night sky and felt utterly consumed by the universe? That deep sense of cosmic wonder—where your mind wanders to questions of existence, parallel realities, and the mind-bending transformation of matter, like the 'spaghetti strings' theory of a body passing through a black hole—is a foundational wellspring for my art.

My paintings are a direct reflection of these boundless thoughts, now beautifully filtered through the lens of my life in South Florida. The new perspective from Jupiter has infused my work, particularly the 'Paradise' series, with a transformed palette of happy, vibrant, and tropical colors. Here, my deep dives into the unknown meet the tangible beauty of water, beaches, and marine life. I use repeated brushstrokes to evoke the profound metamorphoses I ponder, whether they stem from a dream, a place I've visited, or an abstract concept.

These large-scale paintings, often combining oil and acrylic, are dense with symbols and deliberate color choices, their completion sometimes spanning months. Titles such as 'Infinite Existence,' 'Exhilaration,' 'Passion,' and 'Awakening' offer glimpses into the narratives held within. Each canvas, sometimes stretching to 9ft x 15ft, and larger, is a universe in itself, with visible and hidden meanings awaiting discovery. Painting is my essential language, a way to convey profound stories on a grand scale, to envelop the viewer and allow them to experience the very thoughts and emotions that inspired the creation."