JaamZIN Creative
Exhibition
Joselyn Miller
15th of February 2021- 14th of March 2021
Painter
Joselyn Miller works with acrylic on canvas in a contemporary flat style, utilizing bold color to render her uplifting subjects. Her compositions are playful, often based on humorous themes. Raised in an artistic, modern design-centered family, Joselyn was highly influenced by her father, a noted architect, in pursuit of creative outlets. For several years, she has studied one-on-one with one of her art idols, renowned painter, James Strombotne. Formal education includes studies in drawing and painting at several colleges and universities, a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Southern California and a fashion design degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Several private and corporate collections include Joselyn’s paintings.
Interview
Why do you like to incorporate 'humor' and 'nostalgia' in your works of art?
A few years back, I survived two rare, life-threatening illnesses, thanks to a bone marrow transplant from my brother and a relentless sense of humor. I emerged with a new found joy in everything life has to offer and a desire to create works that spark a smile or a chuckle. My work is based on humor and nostalgia, with lots of irony thrown in, because I believe that surrounding oneself with happy art maintains a happy soul.
Why do you use bold colors? Why is it important to emphasize your works with full sentences as their respective titles?
I love using bold colors and line, because I want my pieces to be lively and radiate with delight and amusement. Colorful art is happy art. Why have something hanging on your wall if it doesn’t being you joy? I don’t try to make profound statements on society or politics; I focus more on lighthearted subject matter. Ironically, humorous art can still be “serious” art. I title my works with full sentences, to allow the viewers of my work to get to know what makes my subjects tick and to step up the levity. I figure these viewers are dying to know why Jerry is beaming after his table tennis match and who Stanley is trying to impress with his swan dives.
Who are your subjects usually?
For a work of art to compel me, there needs to be an unexpected element, color, juxtaposition, point of view or scale. In turn, I want the viewers of my paintings to be intrigued with the images. Often, I combine completely unrelated concepts, and that’s where the most fun is found. I believe mundane subjects can take on a magical quality when thrown together. I also love twisting common idioms or translating them literally.
I aspire to create playful compositions that invoke questions, so I often paint common people doing ordinary things, but throw in a crasher or other unusual element. Why does that guy have a bird on his head? Wait just a minute - does that alligator have braces? Is that red rhinoceros skateboarding?
How do you imagine your artistic style will evolve and change in the next five years?
I would like to work on larger canvases, and possibly work on wood as well. Pushing paint around on a surface has stoked an enjoyment that I hope will continue for many years to come. The direction my painting will take is undetermined, but I’d love to trample the standard boundaries to be more extreme and fearless.
What is your special process when you're creating your art?
I don’t have a regular source from which I mine ideas for my paintings. Stimulation surrounds each of us, and I have learned to keep my mind’s eye wide open, considering the never-ending display before me. Once I decide on an idea, I sketch possible compositions, and when I’m happy with something, I go to my canvas. I layer colors to build an interesting and textured background, then I sketch my design using charcoal, because it’s easy to erase. I paint over that, and usually make tweaks to what I’ve drawn. These tweaks often include a little humorous element that comes to me as I get to know my subject through the painting process.
“HEY STEVE!
WORD ON THE STREET IS THAT CASSANDRA’S GONNA DUMP YOUR ASS – So put that in your pipe and smoke it.”
30” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
$2500
“IF ONLY STANLEY KNEW OF IRENE’S SECRET DEVOTION
TO ADMIRING HIS SWAN DIVES
If only Irene knew of Stanley’s secret desire to
impress her with his swan dives.”
40” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
$2800
“MARCY FINDS IT MORE AND MORE CHALLENGING TO ESCORT BUBBLES ON THESE OUTINGS
He just doesn’t seem to know his own
strength these days, and his constant pursuit of rock cod has taken the fun out of their afternoons together.”
30” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
SOLD
“RUNNING LATE AS USUAL, ELLIOTT NERVOUSLY SPRINTS DOWN THE HALL TO PRESENT HIS REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE TEAM
This will no doubt solidify his promotion to junior vice president, and long as he doesn’t slip up.”
24” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
SOLD
“IT’S BEEN 31 YEARS OF BLISS FOR FLOYD AND ELEANOR
Every Saturday for the past 31 years, Floyd has played a round of 18
and Eleanor has vacuumed the goddamned carpet.”
30” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
$2800
“SISTER BEATRICE MAKES A STINK WHEN SHE LEARNS THEY ARE OUT OF PISTACHIO AND SHE HAS TO SETTLE FOR STRAWBERRY
She really
gives the poor, acne-riddled teen behind the counter hell.”
30” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
“BROCK AND LEVI ARE CELEB RIPPERS, GETTING LEGIT AIR ON THIS SICK MONSTOSITY OF STAIRS
Have you seen them shred a gnarly
half pipe sesh?”
30” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
$2800
“THERE GOES MS. GIBSON, FLAUNTING HER BEAVER ONCE AGAIN
Is it too much to ask for a beaver-free day in the city?”
20” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
$2000
“THESE ARE TOM CRUISE’S TIGHT WHITES
I highly recommend picking some up if you plan on dancing in your living room.”
16” x 20”
Acrylic on canvas
$800
AFTER FINISHING IN THE RUNNER-UP POSITION LAST YEAR, JESSICA AND TRAVIS WERE NOT ABOUT TO LET THE MIXED DOUBLES TROPHY GO TO ANYONE ELSE
Buzz around the competition was that their exquisite jazz hands put them on top of the podium.”
28” x 22”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
“EACH FALL, MRS. PEABODY DREADS PRESENTING
THE ‘EARLY MAN’ UNIT OF SEVENTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES
Certain topics always
bring on behaviors worthy of a trip to the principal’s office.”
20” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
COMMISSION
“BRING YOUR PET TO WORK DAY HAS FINALLY
ARRIVED!
Milton’s boss, however, has arrived at his office door and wants to
address the elephant in the room.”
24” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
“MRS. FLANNIGAN BARKS UNTIL SHE’S BLUE IN
THE FACE, BUT HER PLEAS TO STOP RUNNING FALL ON TIMMY’S DEAF EARS
It’s all fun and games, until…blah blah blah”
30” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
$2800
“FRANK’S KETCHUP HAS STILL NOT ARRIVED AFTER MULTIPLE REQUESTS
It would be a mistake to underestimate the wrath of
Frank.”
30” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
“IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR TRACY TO ENJOY A
SMOKE WITHOUT VINCENT, THE GODDAMNED ARMADILLO INVADING HER SPACE?
It’s gonna be armadillo stew for supper.”
40” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
COMMISSION
“PECKING AT FLATTENED RODENTS ON THE
HIGHWAY IS FANTASTIC FUN, BUT EDGAR’S FAVORITE PASTTIME IS CHILLIN’ ON
TELEPHONE WIRES
He’s never listened in on a call like this before.”
24” x 36”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
“GIZMO JUST LEFT A DOOKIE PIE ON MR. O’BRIEN’S
LAWN
And Carla is fresh out of poop bags.”
30” x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
$2800
“TWYLA LOVES THE SOLITUDE OF HER WEEKEND STROLLS MORE THAN LIFE ITSELF
Ah, the freedom of being out of the office and
away from that monstrous boss and those nitwit co-workers… Nothing’s gonna ruin
this beautiful day!”
30” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
SOLD
“CECIL IS SECOND GUESSING HIS CHOICE FOR A PERCH
Yes, it’s easy on the feet – smooth and warm, but what did this guy have
for lunch? He just cut one that would kill a lesser fowl.”
40” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
$2800
“MAXWELL SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE IN TROUBLE
He regularly sneaks out when he’s on restriction to further his antics, which has
taken his parents to the end of their rope.
30” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
”FELICIA AND TEDDY ARE DELIGHTING IN THEIR WEEKLY SKATE
After meeting at a yoga retreat, the two have been inseparable.”
36” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
“GUILLERMO MEANDERS THE STREETS OF HAVANA
IN SEARCH OF A SENORITA TO RIDE SHOTGUN
Who could possibly resist this
sublime vinyl interior?”
24” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
‘MARVIN HAS FINALLY PERFECTED THE TRIPLE BACK FLIP
Now all he needs is an audience that appreciates his artistry.”
36” x 24”
Acrylic on canvas
$2400
ESSENTIAL WORKER SERIES: “PARCEL DELIVERY DRIVER”
20” x 16”
Acrylic on canvas
$800
ESSENTIAL WORKER SERIES: “FIREFIGHTER”
20” x 16”
Acrylic on canvas
$800