Art has always been a conduit for self-expression and exploration. For Josie Gearhart, it is a journey of uncovering the beauty in the world and capturing it on canvas. Her musings about art reveal a deep connection to the creative process and an ongoing quest to understand and portray the world around her.
“What is art? Is it meant to teach? Are we meant to question it, grasp its meaning? Be captured by its charm?” Josie asks these questions not only of her audience but of herself. Her approach to art is a reflection of these inquiries, offering a pathway for viewers to experience and ponder the layers and nuances she presents in her work.
Josie’s artistic philosophy emphasizes the role of art as an experience. She poses, “It offers us experience. Do we use that experience to create more experience? The act of doing art…creating…opens up your heart, lays bare your soul.” This perspective underscores her belief that art is a cycle of creation and reflection, a continuous dialogue between artist and viewer.
Though Josie Gearhart graduated with a fine arts degree, her artistic journey has led her through various fields, enhancing her skills and broadening her understanding of art. She initially explored the decorative arts, engaging in mural work and experimenting with textural surfaces. This exploration enriched her comprehension of structure and added depth to her artistic vocabulary.
“I found myself exploring the decorative arts field doing mural work and dealing with textural surfaces. That exploration added to my knowledge of structure that had been a part of my fine arts education,” Josie shares. This fusion of fine arts and decorative techniques has significantly shaped her artistic voice, allowing her to create pieces that are both structurally sound and visually compelling.
Despite her diverse artistic endeavors, Josie Gearhart’s heart truly lies in oil painting. Her love for this medium shines through in her dedication to capturing realism in her work. “And out of all that grew my love for oil painting, drawing, and mixed media,” she notes, highlighting the medium’s ability to convey depth, emotion, and realism.
Josie’s work leans towards realism, a style that allows her to convey the intricate beauty she observes in the world. Her paintings are more than mere representations; they are reflections of her journey, her experiences, and her aspirations. “Hopefully, where I’ve been in life will show up on canvas …… as will where I am going…… and I’m hoping the journey will be amazing,” Josie muses. This sentiment encapsulates her artistic philosophy—a commitment to capturing the essence of her journey and sharing it with others.
One of Josie’s pieces is “Charmer,” a 30″x40″ oil painting that exemplifies her approach to realism and her ability to capture the charm of her subject. The painting is a testament to her understanding of structure, texture, and color, showcasing her ability to bring her observations to life on canvas.
The painting “Charmer” is a beautiful blend of Josie’s background in decorative arts and her love for oil painting. It is a reflection of her journey through various artistic realms, capturing the depth and complexity of her artistic vision. The painting invites viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty encapsulated within its frame.
Josie Gearhart’s artistic goal is clear: to create paintings that give viewers pause. She seeks to represent the beauty of the world around her, offering her audience a moment to stop and appreciate the intricacies of her art. Her work is not just about capturing a moment in time but about sharing a piece of her journey, inviting viewers to join her in exploring the world through her eyes.
“My goal as an artist is to create paintings that give the viewer pause; to represent the beauty of the world around me,” Josie explains. This goal drives her artistic practice, guiding her as she navigates the complexities of art and life.
For Josie Gearhart, art is more than just a hobby or a career; it is a way of life. Her work is a testament to her dedication to exploring and understanding the world through art. Each piece she creates is a reflection of her journey, an invitation for viewers to share in her experiences and perhaps gain new insights into their own.
As Josie continues her artistic journey, she remains committed to capturing the beauty of the world and sharing it with those around her. Her work is a reminder of the power of art to inspire, challenge, and connect us to the world and each other.
In the end, Josie Gearhart’s art is about the journey, both hers and ours. It is an exploration of the world, an invitation to pause and appreciate the beauty around us, and a celebration of the endless possibilities that art offers. Her work encourages us to see the world through her eyes and perhaps, in doing so, discover something new about ourselves.
