Joel Thompson

Joel Thompson was born in the small town of Johnston, South Carolina. He spent most of his adolescence growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Thanks to his father's genetic influence, Joel’s artistic talents began to bloom in third grade. As an inner-city kid, his resources were finite; but his curiosity was infinite!

Joel received his first commission during his junior year in high school, which ignited his future destiny and purpose in life...he could be an artist and make a living as one. Prior to that commission, Joel had always worked in pencil. But with a little imagination and motivation, his creative juices started to flow toward oils, acrylics, and other mixed mediums.

After attending Central State University and later on, Northern Kentucky University, Joel continued to pursue a career as a fine artist. He began displaying his work throughout the Midwest and changed his focus to portrait art and other figurative drawing styles. That's when he discovered his passion for painting people from diverse cultures. He has always been fascinated in the cultural differences of people and cultures from around the world, especially those of vanishing cultures.

Years later, Joel relocated to Chicago where he was exposed to commercial illustration, advertising, publishing, and graphic design. After attending the American Academy of Art, he became a freelance artist and designer. Over thirty-six (36) images of his work have been published and nationally distributed (in open and limited editions) between 3 major art publishers.

When Joel’s aging parents became ill, he returned to Cincinnati from Chicago. He set-up his own studio, where he now conducts photo shoots and paints portraits.

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