BIOGRAPHY-

Born in 1982 and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Utah, Josh has been interested in art ever since he can remember; but it was when his fifth-grade teacher sincerely complimented him on an art project that he became an artist. He says concerning that defining moment, “a large part of being good at something is believing your good at it—and I’ve believed in myself ever since.”

Since graduating from college in 2007 Josh has been pursuing his dream full-time, and in 2008 he began teaching painting and drawing classes part-time at his alma-mater, Brigham Young University—Idaho.  He currently resides in Rexburg, Idaho with his wife Cambree and their son, Nathan.

 ARTIST’S STATEMENT

“Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power. I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:47-48). 

There is no artist greater than God, and no beauty more perfect than His creations—His art; to see any, even the least of them, is to see God himself, “moving in His majesty and power.” There have been times in my life when I have done more than merely look—times when I’ve seen. Those moments are sacred and precious to me, and I desire to share them. I want to see more clearly, I want to comprehend more fully—and I want to help others do the same. That’s why I paint.

My aim as an artist is not to redefine beauty—no one can do that—but to discover for myself, through the Spirit of Truth, those eternal laws that govern it, and obey them.

If I am anything good, if there is anything in my art that is good—it’s because of and thanks to God. As often as I forget it, I know that I am nothing of myself, and I’m deeply grateful that Heavenly Father has allowed me to be an artist.

AWARDS

2009 Art Museum of Eastern Idaho Biennial Juried Exhibition, Idaho Falls, ID
--Best of Show, Judged by Artist John Erikson

2009 Summerfest Plein Air Painting Competition, Logan, UT
--2nd Place Professional Division, Judged by Artist Gerald Griffin

2008 River Rocks Plein Air Paintout, Idaho Falls, ID
--1st Place, Judged by artist John Horejs

2007 Summerfest Plein Air Painting Competition, Logan, UT
--1st Place Professional Division, Judged by Artist Glen Edwards

2007 Midway Utah Plein Air Painting Competition, Midway, UT
--Zanger Purchase Award
--3rd Place Studio Painting Professional Division

2006 BYU-Idaho Annual Student Competition, Rexburg, ID
--1st Place Oil Painting

SELECT SHOWS

2009 C.M. Russel Museum "Masters in Miniature" Exhibition, Great Falls, MT

2009 Oil Painters of America Western Regional, Kirkland, WA

2009 Art Museum of Eastern Idaho Biennial Juried Exhibition, Idaho Falls, ID

2009 85th Annual Spring Salon, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT

2009 Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM

2008 Oil Painters of America Western Regional, Cour De Alene, ID