Joe Strickland’s work embodies a spirit of exploration and innovation, blending abstraction with subtle hints of realism. His compositions emerge through a process of layering color, texture, and form- each piece a meditation on balance and reduction. By distilling imagery to its essential shapes and hues, Joe creates paintings that feel both deliberate and spontaneous, inviting viewers into the quiet harmony between structure and imagination.

Your pieces are so refined they almost feel like meditations, what draws you to stripping things back rather than layering them up?

Reducing unnecessary elements to focus on the core subject is central to my approach, which embraces a clean, linear style reflecting contemporary design. This process is both deliberate and intuitive, as each line is placed through spontaneous decisions. The difficult part of the process is determining what is essential and what isn’t. By removing "noise," the design gains clarity and purpose, creating spaces that are both visually striking and thoughtfully composed. Ultimately, this approach highlights the essence of its subject while fostering a sense of calm and order.

When someone lives with one of your works, what do you hope unfolds for them over time?

I hope that my art has the ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the piece, either figuratively or as a warm reminder of a time spent in a similar setting. This connection can stir deep emotions, allowing individuals to reflect on their own experiences and memories associated with the depicted moments.

Collectors often crave “statement” pieces, yours whisper rather than shout. Do you think that makes them more powerful?

I believe my art can make a statement about who the person is that displays it in their respective environment reflecting their aesthetic preferences. Without shouting it is an opportunity to express their individuality, and perhaps spark conversation. In the right environment it may be very relative to the surrounding area reminding people why they came here in the first place. Whether that’s shouting or whispering is up to the viewer to determine.

If your art could act like a pause button in someone’s day, where would you want them to be when they press it?

If my art could act like a pause button in a person’s day, I would want them to be in front of my art when they pressed it.