ARTIST & CREATIVE INTERVIEW SERIES,
Princess Diana, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Silver Medal & Vancouver’s own Joe Average.
I’m pretty giddy about this artist interview series for various reasons. Mostly because it has very little to do with me and very much to do with the intriguing stories of OTHER fascinating folks. It gives me a chance to leave the cool, if not somewhat dusty, depths of my own brain and enter the amazing worlds of others.
Self Portrait, Joe Average, 2016.
As FANTASTIC as the last interview with Terry Wolfinger was (and it was pretty freaking awesome) THIS latest artist continues to uphold the high standards of un-bloody-believable. *insert meme with lower lip biting teariness here* Here’s the sort of speedy Scooby Doo flash back as to why this interview with Joe Average is so awesome, for me, in particular.
ABOUT TWENTY YEARS AGO when I was an artist who had been around for a decade but was still considered a bit of a fledgling, a mysterious, slightly evasive, 007 sort of friend of mine Nathan, and I were hanging out on the glory that is the Sea Wall in Vancouver’s English Bay marveling at the beautiful beach, oceany what nots and people watching.
Being an artist for me at this time involved sporadically selling work, hanging out with other art school grads who painted tiles at the Sid Dickens art warehouse downtown for $15 an hour, drinking tequila and eating KD. (This is by no means an endorsement of KD. I’ll leave the tequila to your discretion.) The conversation between Nathan and I turned to art because he knew it was my soul gig and then, naturally, to Joe Average who was kicking the Canadian art scene in its kiester with some amazingly bright, bold works that immediately grab and hold your attention by its dainty lady cajones. Basically, anyone at the time living in Canada (particularly Vancouver) who had a toe or pinky finger in the art scene knew who this quiet, humble, firework of an artist was. The conversation went something like this;
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Nathan: “What about, Joe Average. Like his work?”
Me: (Somewhat less crusty, potty mouthish and sailorish than I am today) “Who the hell doesn’t?”
Nathan: “Oh ya? Cool. I know him. He’s a friend of mine.”
Me: *raises eyebrow*
(This coming from a guy who had some of the tallest tales I had ever heard in all my days.
Example 1: I make well over $10,000 a month. I had seen his amazeballs yet painfully empty penthouse condo overlooking the arguably affordable English Bay, and his pricey designer everything but he had no visible means of income and never seemed to work … like ever.
Example 2: I know a lot of movie stars and dated *insert most amazing actress of the decade here* There were a ton of these types of stories. Needless to say I was skeptical.)
Nathan: “NO! Seriously.” he insisted “I know him.”
Me: *crickets chirping holds his gaze* “Sureeeee you do Nathan. I believe you. Riiiiiggght.” *words drip with sarcasm*
Nathan: “Dude, seriously. I REALLY do. Oh wait! THERE HE IS.”
Me: *jaw drops open and I almost melt into a pile of instantaneous death. I die. I die.*
They exchange a few words and to this day I have no idea if he actually knew Joe or just happened to see him and started chatting him up to back up his somewhat unbelievable story because believe me, Nathan had just the kind of brass man bits called for in this type of situation. So call me the skeptical type but either way I was in awe.
Blue Moon, Joe Average, 1999.
Nathan: “So Joe, this is my friend Shari. She’s an artist.”
Me: *checks out this awesome tall drink of artistic water that embodies the Canadian art scene, drools and mumbles out a few gahs, squeezing out every ounce of elegance I can gather*
Joe: “Hi Shari. It’s nice to meet you. *shakes hand of slack jawed drooly girl* You’re an artist? That’s great. Where’s your studio?”
Me: *stares at hand that touched “the” Joe Average planning never to wash again in hopes of passing talent directly to my paintbrush, wipes drool from chin and squeaks out …*
“My living room.” (Har har har)
*Goes back to dying while they have a conversation that humans who know how to speak to each other have* Hoping this leaves no impression what-so-ever as I crawl under the nearest Starbucks cup being held by, what would eventually come to be known as, a hipster.
Teeny Tiny Disclaimer: I have no chill. Never have. Probably never will. I freely admit it. Compared to me Bridget Jones is epitome of suave, lady-like sophistication. Let’s just settle in with this fact.
About ten years later, seeking interaction with other humans I wound up in a supervisory admin day job at a place in Vancouver that had a massive Joe Average painting on premises that I walked by countless times a day. I have to admit no matter how crappy a day I was having, because that day job sucked beyond belief every minute of every excruciating day, I got to gaze at that lovely work that was a big, bold, soul-filling, feast for my eyes and think about the day I’d no longer have to work a crappy day job that sucked my soul out via my brain cavity and would get to create beautiful, meaningful things … just like Joe Average.
So that’s the back story. Joe inspired me to keep on creating at a time I wondered if it was all worth it. Now, I could totally geek out about Joe forever but he did, for some mind-blowing reason, agree to do this interview so let’s get to it. *takes off not so secret fan girl pants and cape and puts on professional interviewer hat and serious, brainy, type spectacles* Presenting the artist interview with the incomparable Canadian icon and Vancouver treasure Joe Average …
shari: WHEN DID YOU get your artistic start?
joe: My mother was an artist, so I was influenced at an early age. I realized early that people liked my art.
Born to Pollinate, Joe Average, 1996.
shari: WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY when it comes to art?
joe: I don’t really have a philosophy, but when I first challenged myself to live off my art I told myself not to do it for fame or fortune but to survive.
shari: WHAT WAS THE CATALYST for the creation (or birth) of “Joe Average”?
joe: In the 70’s i was very enamoured with Artists from the Western Front in Vancouver and General Idea in Toronto. They all had crazy AKA’s. I wanted one too but didn’t think I had the crazy personality to go with one. One day I was with a friend and we were talking about 60’s advertising art. I loved the drawings of the Chevron guy, policemen etc. and referred to them as Average Joe’s. In the conversation I stumbled and said Joe Average instead of Average Joe. We both laughed and said “that’s it!” “your new name!”
shari: WHAT LEAD TO YOUR TRANSITION into photography from painting?
joe: In my teens and early twenties I did allot of photography. My camera was stolen when I was 25 and i never was able to replace it plus it was expensive back then for film developing etc.
shari: DID YOU TRAIN FORMALLY with any art classes or did you take a more organic, non academic approach?
joe: I was never formally trained.
Self Portrait, Joe Average, 2016.
shari: IF YOU HAD TO PICK one what would be your favorite medium?
joe: My favourite medium right now is digital painting.
shari: WHAT CONTINUES TO DRIVE YOU to create?
joe: Bills.
shari: TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS. Does it differ from medium to medium?
joe: I am usually inspired by a deadline!
shari: WHO ARE YOUR MAIN CREATIVE INFLUENCES? The artists that make your soul vibrate?
joe: Robert Davidson, Peter Max, David Hockney, Saul Steinberg, Roy Lichtenstein
Mother & Child, Joe Average, 1996.
shari: YOUR PAINTINGS ARE BEAUTIFULLY BOLD, colorful, and seemingly light-hearted (although they often have a deeper more heart-felt meaning.) How did you find your style? Did you fall into it or was it developed over time?
joe: Yes, it developed over time.
shari: YOU’VE BEEN AWARDED SOME PRETTY PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS and honours including the Caring Canadian Award and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Silver Medal for Outstanding Community Achievement. What award meant the most and why?
joe: I am very proud of each award, no matter how big or small.
shari: HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU FOUND OUT the mayor of Vancouver had proclaimed November 3rd Joe Average day? Can you tell us about where you were when you found out?
joe: I was blown away. Mayor Owen proclaimed it at a fundraiser that was being held for me when my health and funds were vulnerable.
shari: YOU’VE DEDICATED YOUR LIFE to some pretty amazing causes such as the Art for Life Project, A Loving Spoonful and Davie Village. Is there one in cause in particular you’re close to? And why?
joe: The ones that I am closest too involve either children or HIV/AIDS
One World One Hope, Joe Average, 1994 XI International Conference on AIDS
shari: TELL US about your favorite project to date?
joe: Designing the image for XI International Conference on AIDS
shari: I’M SURE YOU’VE MET A LOT OF AMAZING PEOPLE and celebrities. Who were you most excited to meet?
joe: Hands down, Princess Diana.
*Shari gawks at reader through the screen. (Yes, at you.)* Princess Diana. Joe AND Princess Diana. Together. Imagine.
shari: WHO IS THE ONE PERSON (or people) who supported you throughout your journey?
joe: I have mainly done it all on my own but a man named Michael Harding was a great supporter in the 80’s
shari: TELL US A LITTLE (or big) something about yourself that no one knows.
joe: My life has been an open book.
Self Portrait B & W, Joe Average, 2016.
shari: WHAT IS YOUR ONE DREAM client and why?
joe: Someone with cash to burn.
shari: IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?
joe: David Hockney because he isn’t afraid to try anything.
shari: IF YOU HAD TO PICK ANOTHER CAREER other than the one you have now what would it be and why?
joe: I have no idea. This is all I know how to do.
I’m SO happy you were inspired to start creating Joe and thanks again for the great artist interview! Anyone wishing to view more of Joe’s work, contact him or follow him can do so through the following websites:
(Click any of the links below to take you to instant Joe.)
In peace, love and art,
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Joe knows how to do lots more than he admits ❤️
He’s an amazing cook & plates his dishes beautifully & his sense of humour is as whimsical & delightful as his paintings. He’s a staunch animal supporter & lover & I am blessed to have known him as long as I have.
I love him more than beans & rice ✨
I suspected as much. 🙂 He’s very modest. Thank you so much for your comment and lovley insights into Joe. <3
The best thing about Joe is his heart. It is huge, it is warm, it understands, it forgives, it loves, it listens, it speaks in art. This is a sweet interview with a sweet soul. I will love him forever and ever, amen.
It speaks a lot to who Joe is as a person when he has so many wonderful people who love him so fully. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Thank you for this interview! Joe is amazing and I’m happy to say, he’s my friend. Joe’s art on my walls make me smile. I love the stories behind each art piece. When I mention the name Joe Average…people smile.
You’re welcome! Joe is lucky to have so many lovely friends. I’m sure your collection of his art is not only fabulous but a wonderful reminder of that friendship.