Joe Barbella
I graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA with a BFA in Illustration and painting. Most of my work is oil on canvas and is representational with a concentration in portraitures, still lives and landscapes. The portraits are an attempt to not only represent a person but to represent an emotion as well. One directional lighting is often used to sculpted the architecture of the model's face and body with what is traditionally called chiaroscuro. With a strong contrast between light and dark the body appears to dramatically step out of the darkness and into the light. My intention for the viewer is to focus completely on the subject matter or still life with no peripheral distractions. Thus I render a clean, uncomplicated and stark environment. Hopefully this alludes to a tranquil stillness within the painting and provides the viewer with some relief from the overwhelming stimulation of a seemingly complicated world in which we live.
Exhibits: 2008-2025
The Howard Schroeder Award for best portrait and figurative drawing
Appearance on "The 302" on MeTV (Thoughts on art and music)
Art in the Am "Horse Power" Rehoboth Beach Writer's Guild
Rehoboth Beach City Hall collection
E-book anthology "Tasty Morsels"
Rehoboth Art League Fine Art Exhibitions
Zoom Event "Beginnings" Celebrating Writer's and Artist
Art In the Am, "Time Continuum" Rehoboth Beach Writer's Guild
Atria Gallery, Dual "Portraiture" Exhibition
Da Vinci Art Alliance, "Perennial Visions"
Da Vinci Art Alliance, "Artist, Reader, Writer"
Perelman Center, "Celebration of Art and Life"
Philadelphia City Hall, "Summer of Love"
University of Penn., International House,"Motion Pictured"
Barnes Foundation, "Let’s Connect"
Philadelphia Sketch Club
William Way Center art gallery
PA Human Relations Art Initiative
Behind Closed Doors Gallery, Fabric Row
As a musician I would fall into the singer/songwriter, or indie, category. I started writing songs in high school with a guitar and found it far more entertaining than playing covers. Music has always been a venue for creativity and with the eventual help from DAWs I found that writing and recording compositions, was not only possible with a guitar and vocals but with other musical instruments as well. I've published 5 CDs to date and I spend my time playing out as well as recording and production.
Music venues: 2000-2025
Listening Booth Lewes DE
Lefty's Lewes DE
Dockside Rehoboth Beach DE
Bethany Blues Lewes DE
Arena's Rehoboth Beach DE
"Most Played Alternative Music" for "Rapture" on reverbnation.com
"Chart-Topping Phila. Artists" playlist reverbnation.com
For "Rapture" and "I Will Listen"
"Trending Alternative Music" playlist reverbnation.com
For "Peace Bird"
WHYY Music Library
World Cafe Live, Philly Song Shuffle
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Wednesday make it a night
Penns Landing festivals
Philadelphia Fringe Festival "Strange Love"
WXPN , radio Appearance
Task Voice's "Victory Demonstration"
Barnes and Noble bookstores, PA, NJ
William Way Center
Doc Watson's Bar and Restaurant
Bob and Barbara's
Samuel Adams Bar and Restaurant
Sisters, "Lifedance"
Franny's Place
Millennium Coffee
Last Drop, Antique Row
Tin Angel, Old City
"... a kind of optical illusion of consciousness"
-Albert Einstein
Hello!
youtube channel:
Https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCFsCwkQyKEKiV1HYzOqgDoQ/videos
reverbnation.com/joebarbella
soundcloud.com/joebarbella
Facebook/joebarbellamusic