We’re rounding out our coverage of fall 2023 Virtual Gallery of Artists with Joseph Pearson, Max Cooper, and Georgia Deal. From an astonishing body of work in a variety of mediums by Joseph Pearson, to the prestigious papermaker Georgia Deal, and finally to the unconventional photography study of our mountains by Max Cooper - you will find a timeless exploration of both nature and culture.
Artist Joseph Pearson
Joseph Pearson born in South Mississippi, embarked on his artistic journey at age 4-5, captivated by fashion illustrations in a Sears catalog. Self-taught, he honed his skills by meticulously copying these drawings, fostering a deep fascination for the human form. His formal art education includes a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Jackson State College and professional training at the Art Students League of New York. Mentored by Hughie Lee-Smith, Pearson specializes in pen and ink, charcoal, pastel pencil, and oil painting, with a focus on murals, portraits, and figurative works.
For a comprehensive view of his exhibition history, awards, and community activities, visit josephart.net or find him on Instagram.
Artist Georgia Deal
Georgia Deal, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Printmaking and Papermaking Program at the Corcoran School of Art & Design, is a distinguished figure in art and education. With an illustrious career, including roles at institutions like the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute and the Smithsonian's American Art Museum, Deal has received notable grants and conducted workshops globally. Her artistic work graces prestigious collections, and she currently owns Swannanoa Paper in Asheville. As Guest Editor for Hand Papermaking Magazine, her recent work, exploring memory and narratives, showcases prints and handmade paper, reflecting a personal archeology of time and place. Georgia also has a passion for connecting with others and teaching them the craft of papermaking; she often hosts classes at her home studio.
Find out more about Georgia at her website or on Instagram.
Max Cooper
Meet Max Cooper, a wedding photographer who also loves adventure photography, navigating North Carolina's mountains in search of something real. Disillusioned by modern abandonment of truth, he ventures with a wooden camera and film to capture the elusive Appalachians. Despite awards and experience, he feels the haunting stillness of the mountains escapes him. His "Lensless Falls" series, shot with ancient pinhole camera tech, reflects the humility mountains command. Through eccentric methods and a hybrid process, Max strives to convey what we cannot capture, but rather, are captured by, the timeless beauty of these half-billion-year-old peaks.