Joe Klaus

When I'm looking to sit and think and explore, that's when my works on canvas or paper come to life; They are moments frozen in time, starting as oil paintings or photographs (or both) that become altered with acrylic paint, spray paint, markers, fabric, and whatever feels right. Subject matter shifts from personas to landscapes, abstract to more tangible, often including characters that stare blankly at the viewer, who stare blankly back at the piece. When I hyperfocus I tend to make zines; these are micro obsessions I want to work out and become tangible which makes this media a perfect fit. The subject matter here varies from thematic thoughts to curated chaos and some things in between. Whether the media, I enjoy the process of creating, from picking the weight of the canvas to stapling a zine to gesso and beyond.

I've shared my irreverent conceptions across the country in different group shows and recently had my first solo show “Past conversations” in early 2022. I am a member of 3rd street Gallery, an artist co-op in Philadelphia, where I also live with my fiancé Clay & 2 cats Manolo + Margo.