Watercolor art display in downtown Bellevue, Washington.
Artist Statement
"In 2017, I began creating figurative watercolor paintings at local life drawing groups in the greater Seattle area. This practice has helped me be more attuned to my internal process, which has helped me know myself better.
"I feel so much energy in my paintings because they come from a place of intention and respect, celebrating the beauty and mystery I sense in another person. My work represents freedom, creativity, and the joy of being human.
"Creating figurative paintings is life-giving to me, and I hope it is to others as well."
-Josh
Process
Josh finds deep inspiration in figure drawing sessions. Groups like Silhouette and Shadow and Snohomish Life Drawing are more than mere gatherings for Josh; they’re sanctuaries for creative communion.
As Josh collaborates with fellow artists and worldly models, he creates works that breathe with myth and fantasy, often echoing subjects’ inner desires with pigment and water. Josh often leaves incomplete fragments—unpainted whispers, abstract voids—inviting the viewer to complete the narrative. In those gaps, mystery thrives, and minds wander.
Starting with a base sketch, Josh builds layers of watercolor, moments in time that cannot be undone. Due to the nature of watercolor, there are times when Josh will paint figurative poses multiple times until he gets the desired result.
Women of Myths Collection of Watercolor Paintings
style
Every artist develops a unique style—deliberate choices that shape the look and feel of their work. In Josh's watercolor paintings, several signature qualities stand out:
He prefers rough-textured cotton paper, which encourages the paint to pool, separate, and settle in expressive, organic ways. When paired with granulating watercolors, this surface creates rich, unpredictable textures that make each piece truly one-of-a-kind.
Josh works with a limited palette, often using from one to four carefully chosen or custom-mixed colors. This restraint helps keep the composition focused and avoids unnecessary complexity.
He often leaves areas incomplete or abstract, inviting the viewer’s imagination to engage with the piece. Figures are defined by negative space, while shadows and highlights frequently blend into the background. Notably, Josh never uses white paint—highlights are created solely by preserving the untouched paper beneath.
Timelapse video of watercolor painting in progress.
Materials
Josh paints on 100% cotton rough-textured papers with Daniel Smith watercolor paints to achieve the highest purity and permanence.
