Acrylic Art by Joe Zoeller

Artist Statement and Bio

Joe Zoeller

Artist Statement

If pressed to categorize my work, I might classify it as “Modern Realism.” However, like most contemporary art, my “style” is not a single “style”, nor does it conform to a “movement” but is an amalgam of styles using modern materials. I prefer to create sharp images with birght vivid colors that stand out across a room. In creating these works, I borrow elements from Precisionism, Post-Impressionism, Modern Realism, and Pop Art, as well as older forms from around the world, using modern materials. I work with acrylics since they produce exceptionally vivid colors compared to other media and hold the sharp lines I desire. One unique feature in many of my paintings is the strategic incorporation of ink to enhance edges, depth and contrast which produces paintings with markedly enhanced vibrancy and depth.

Bio

“The greatest scientists are always artists as well.” – Albert Einstein

Joe Zoeller was born in New York City and raised on Long Island, NY. He received degrees from Hofstra University (BS Chemistry), Purdue University (MS Chemistry), and Virginia Tech (Ph.D. Chemistry) and was widely recognized for his work in chemistry. Although Joe’s formal education was in Chemistry, he started his career with a photographic company, so his technical training and practice exposed him to an in depth understanding of paints, inks, pigments, and color perception as well as scientific drawing. This coincided well with his lifelong interest in art and provided a firm foundation for his subsequent painting career.

Joe began painting at Hofstra University where he took instruction under Paul England who charted his painting direction with a few words. After reviewing his work (in oil), inquiring about what he really wanted from his art, and asking which artists he admired most, Paul England responded with one simple sentence. “You really should consider acrylics.” Acrylics have been Joe’s medium of choice ever since.   

Joe has received several awards for his work in recent years including an Award of Excellence Appalachian Art Show (2023), Award of Excellence Fun Fest Art Show (2017), Honorable Mention Kingsport Art Guild Members Show (2017), Virginia Highlands Award of Merit (for 2 pieces, 2018), and Second Place Kingsport Art Guild Members Show (2020.) He has recently been the featured artist at Woolworth Walk (Asheville, NC, March, 2021), Impressions Fine Art (Kingsport, TN, February-March, 2022 and March-April, 2025), Circle Art Gallery (Kingsport City Hall, September-October 2022) and held a joint show “Different Visions” with Lee Stone at the Renaissance Center in Kingsport (March 2020.)   

Joe currently resides in Kingsport, TN with his wife, Elaine, and serves as Chair of Kingsport’s Cultural Arts Commission, Vice-President of Impressions Fine Art, and on the board of the Kingsport Art Guild.