Artist Statement: Joel Schapira

The Artist’s State meant and Resume of Joel Schapira

The artist, formally known as The Artist, was born and educated but his education is not over.  He has shown very little here and there.  He has also been shown a few things, not all of which he liked.  The artist has been influenced.  When he went to Junior High School 82, also known as Macombs, in the Bronx in the Fifties, he was given the letter M for being thirteenth on a basketball squad of thirteen. He practiced hard but never played. His gym teacher, who always had a five o’clock shadow, called the artist Skap Ira, which was not his name.

The artist painted some, as a teenager, but then stopped..  When he went to The Bronx High School of Science, they might have had Art, but he didn’t take it if they did.  At Suny Binghamton, he took no art courses unless you want to count Scene Design, which he was not very good at.  He did get great pleasure from building stage sets with Bob Robinson and John Bielenberg for a few years.  During his college years, he thought a lot about the Vietnam War; a lot of people died in that war. After graduating from college, he taught High School English;  he loved teaching but didn’t care much for the Teachers’ Room.  He moved on.

Some twenty years or so ago, the artist took a course called Painting from the Inside Out  from Rosemary Starace. For five years, he studied with Rosemary who, not long ago, became his collaborator---- life is grand, that way. During those years, he was mentored by her teacher, Chuck Morey.  The Artist then studied with Margot Trout for and learned mostly to see.  He also learned to work big like his hero, Gulley Jimson, the painter in The Horse’s Mouth  by James Cary.  Lately, Peter London has brought him closer to his nature.

The artist had a studio in Millerton, N.Y. from 1997 to 2003 where he painted large in a large space.  He has recently gone home where, in more intimate surroundings, he has been exploring the small space that no longer confines.  Now 66, this Lakeville, Ct. resident and father of three, welcomes another opportunity to share with his neighbors, the work he is doing.

In 2004, the artist helped invent the artgarage, an after school drop in open studio for students at the local high school.  One of his great pleasures is helping out there.

Joel Schapira

20 Cadman Road                            

Lakeville, CT 06039