JOE CASAPINTA
Joe’s love for art was born with him.
Throughout his life, he has dedicated much of his time and effort to honing and perfecting this skill. What started out as sketches in pencil, quickly developed into other forms: Joe has dabbled with ink, doing illustrations and graphic arts in the 80s and mastering this technique, and has recently ventured into the world of acrylic, oils and watercolours. This latest journey is already in its eight year, as he continuously strives, and succeeds, to produce new work through experimentation.
JOE CASAPINTA
Joe’s love for art was born with him.
Throughout his life, he has dedicated much of his time and effort to honing and perfecting this skill. What started out as sketches in pencil, quickly developed into other forms: Joe has dabbled with ink, doing illustrations and graphic arts in the 80s and mastering this technique, and has recently ventured into the world of acrylic, oils and watercolours. This latest journey is already in its eight year, as he continuously strives, and succeeds, to produce new work through experimentation.
CAPTURING MOMENTS
“There is nothing better than to experience things en plein air“
When it comes to inspiration, Joe is convinced that there is nothing better than to experience things en plein air. When outside, the artist does not only get to paint what he sees but more importantly, what he feels. He describes it as a “challenge”, but one he is very willing to undertake. “The very moment you decide to step outside your studio, is the moment you’re faced with endless opportunities. You can express yourself better than you could ever hope for in a studio, with an inanimate photo staring back at you.”
Some of these aforementioned challenges include the elements. “You’re at the mercy of it all but if you manage to make the most of it, you can capture beautiful moments on canvas. The continuously changing light when you’re outside must also be taken into consideration.” Like clouds racing, blocking the sun for a minute or two, or how the redness in the sky differs from one place to another. Joe argues that the opportunity to be outside, to see things you wouldn’t normally see from a studio gives the artist something more. Like having a foggy glass wiped clear.
EXHIBITION AND APPRECIATION
“The feeling then is hard to describe.”
Joe describes satisfaction as seeing one’s work being exhibited and appreciated by the public. “When people see your work, follow you, give you feedback or ask genuine questions about your work – the feeling then is hard to describe.” Having exhibited both locally and abroad, Joe recounts how the level of workmanship has to be beyond satisfactory. “I usually go back to my paintings and decide which ones I will go with. I suppose my mood – and my muse – at the time has a lot of say in this decision.”
EXHIBITION AND APPRECIATION
“The feeling then is hard to describe.”
Joe describes satisfaction as seeing one’s work being exhibited and appreciated by the public. “When people see your work, follow you, give you feedback or ask genuine questions about your work – the feeling then is hard to describe.” Having exhibited both locally and abroad, Joe recounts how the level of workmanship has to be beyond satisfactory. “I usually go back to my paintings and decide which ones I will go with. I suppose my mood – and my muse – at the time has a lot of say in this decision.”
Click image to watch the video.
MALTESE ART
“It has recently taken a really good push forward.”
Joe sees art as a temporary relaxing escape from his other full time commitments. Because of this, he prefers not to make long-term plans. Rather, he paints on a day-to-day basis and his only plans revolve around exhibitions, one of which has just taken place in Valletta, with another planned for November in Mdina. His view on Maltese art is positive and encouraging. “It has recently taken a really good push forward. There is more interest in the arts and the quality being produced by more and more artists is superb.”
MALTESE ART
“It has recently taken a really good push forward.”
Joe sees art as a temporary relaxing escape from his other full time commitments. Because of this, he prefers not to make long-term plans. Rather, he paints on a day-to-day basis and his only plans revolve around exhibitions, one of which has just taken place in Valletta, with another planned for November in Mdina. His view on Maltese art is positive and encouraging. “It has recently taken a really good push forward. There is more interest in the arts and the quality being produced by more and more artists is superb.”
Click image to watch the video.
JOE’S WORDS RING OF EXPERIENCE
“Give art a shot. Work, sketch, paint every day.”
On his final note, Joe’s words ring of experience and of little artistic “wisdoms” he has collected along his own path of discovery. “Give art a shot. Work, sketch, paint every day, experiment with different media, find ways to express not only what you are seeing but also what are you feeling. Practice makes perfect – you will never hear this enough because it’s the gospel truth. Go and exhibit your work, get feedback and let people see how your art is evolving just as much as you.” As for Joe, family, work and other matters during the course of his life might keep him away from art but he always manages to go back to it – or maybe it is art, which always finds him again in the end.