By Luc Bedard

Magenta Gallery is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Miller to its 8 member co-operative.

Joe, a graphic artist, architectural designer, sculptor and jewelry maker, and a native of Oklahoma, plunged into his artistic career straight out of the Marine Corps back in the early 1950’s doing architectural drawing and drafting. He admits to an 'eclectic' college and university background spanning 12 years. His academic education was interspersed with a whole lot of hands-on architectural and design projects which took him from coast to coast and saw him rubbing shoulders with well-known artists, writers and architects. After university Joe moved to Provincetown, Mass where he lived for 5 years in a well-known arts community. There he immersed himself in sculpture and jewelry making. He also has lived for various periods of time in New York City, Laguna Beach, Ca, and Fairhope, Al. He has worked in and out of San Miguel for 20 years, moving here full time in 2005.

Joe states that two important influences have shaped his artistic career. The first is the discovery of the oxy-acetelyne torch as a sculptural tool. The second was time spent with the Sari Indians in the Hermosillo area of Mexico where he became acquainted with shamanism and developed what he calls 'modern shamanistic art'.

Joe strongly believes that the creation of art requires a connection to a universal source of energy, however you want to define it. He feels that he is more of a conduit than a creator of art himself. Joe has several fantastic mixed-media pieces in the gallery and will be Magenta's featured artist in the March 13 centro Art walk, from 5 – 8 p.m. So drop on by and be ready to be dazzled!

Magenta Gallery is located at Hidalgo #29. Gallery phone is 154-9498.

Luc is a sculptor, painter and photographer. He is a member of the Magenta Gallery Co-operative.