Joel Ember is many things. By day he crunches numbers. By evening he crunches the algorithms of your soul through the guise of abstract-expressionist painting. 

Toiling away in his studio daily, Joel wields his brushes with a flurry of colors and items often found in nature, presenting a palette of hues and unorganized patterns that jolts the viewer from the hum-drum of their daily toils. 

Ember paints whatever he is subconsciously feeling at any precise moment. This mode of operation lends itself to the blending of colors and shapes that may or may not have any meaning in regards to one another once a work is completed. 

Frequently asked at exhibits of his work for painting titles or for ‘what he was thinking when he painted’ any random piece, Joel is often unable to provide answers for either type of query. So goes the brilliance of the artist, the hermit toiling away in his cave, eking out the spontaneous results of emotions that otherwise cannot be expressed in words. 

Joel Ember entered our universe and spent his formative years in the outskirts of Lititz, Pennsylvania. No doubt the subversive influence of local chocolate and pretzel factories,  had borne a self-taught artist of uncompromising flair and character. Currently, Joel calls downtown Lancaster city home, where he lives and paints. He has been putting the paint to canvas for upwards of 26 years. His heart firmly entrenched within the art world, Joel worked as a photographer, muralist and gallery manager in the past. 

Primarily working in acrylics and enamels, Joel (who cares a bit about the ecology of our planet) frequently uses recycled paints and stains to create his mind-blasting room shapers. His efforts are found in private collections in 18 states. Ember has a loyal fan base, many of whom own multiple pieces of his work. 

Since November 2004, Joel has had 18 exhibits and shows in Central Pennsylvania, and also in a gallery on Chicago’s North Shore. Whilst residing in Tampa, Florida, Joel worked on numerous community and private mural projects in Ybor City (Tampa’s Cuban quarter). 

Already booked for the year 2008 with shows in Lancaster and Chicago, (not to mention  many smaller art walks and events), Joel Ember is an artist on the rise. Juggling his creativity and work with no apparent struggle, Joel makes himself readily available for commissioned work (from office decor to restaurant motif-and all points in between), local school programs, arts organizations and various non-profit groups. 

Joel Ember is a Board member of The Demuth Museum. He is and invited lecturer for the William Penn Charter School (Philadelphia) on the subject of abstract expressionist art. Ember donates many paintings annually to silent auctions, non-profit groups and charities.  Know and shown around the U.S.,  Joel Ember can be found creating and exhibiting his works throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe. 

Joel Ember - a Portrait

Joel Ember is no stranger to the artist’s lifestyle. The man gets around, well, at least in the sense of traveling across this great blue planet. While off on any one of his many annual gallivants, Joel is painting, or at least hashing out ideas for paintings that will be completed upon his return home to Lancaster city. The painting starts as a ‘study’ on holiday and is ultimately translated into a finished canvas.

Since 2002, Joel’s travels have found him all over. Ember has visited the UK several times, stopping in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Among his voyaging highlights is a visit made to the Isle of Skye, where the matriarchal side of his family traces their Scotch-Irish roots.  He has visited London twice and could often be found in Hyde Park, ever the Bohemian, people watching and sketching future paintings.
 
A visit to Dublin in 2002 involved painting, but, perhaps more importantly, Irish cuisine and pub crawls. Joel is no stranger to the spirits. The man just likes to have a good time!  
Prague, Florence and Budapest, are other spots Joel has visited for artistic inspiration. 
 
Arguably Joel’s favorite spot to get away to and create projects is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Ember spends  2-3weeks a year there, hanging out in a rustic, five bedroom villa. The casa is open, without real walls.  “It inspires me—both to create and bond with friends,” Ember mentions. “To experience a different, more relaxed way of life. We stay far from the tourist part of town…barely anyone speaks any English, and we speak little Spanish.”  Never one to brag, this villa does come equipped with a staff of three.  The staff, Chayo, Maby and Hectora take incredible care of their guests, and Ember has been know to trade Spanish lessons for painting session with Maby's children.

The artist spent a short portion of his career in New York in the late 1980's.  He worked in the studio of fashion photographer Art Kane, painting his studio and has rubbed elbows over lunch with Andy Warhol.  He nearly suffered a full-fledged beatdown at the hands of the bodyguards of Wendy O.Williams (from the Plasmatics) for doling out a bit too much in the way of ogles.  He nearly fell over Matthew Broderick and Cher in a  West Village pharmacy.  The man has lived, and is clearly starstruck!

These days, Joel gets through the difficult moments he encounters by self-medicating, meditating and commingling with his friends.   By nature of this light and carefree lifestyle, Joel has thus far been able to avoid the dreaded near-mid-life crisis. The daily painting release rids him of pent up frustrations that arise in a hum-drum world.  He makes his own, creative way.
 

DONATIONS, NON PROFITS & CHARITIES
Winonah Wingert Benefit
Molly's Pub
May 12, 2008
Two Limited Edition books
of Joel's artwork
$100 retail value
 
Fulton Opera House Spring Gala
("Dressed to Kilt")
March 15, 2008
"Zepfino" original painting
$695 retail value (sold for $1,100 !!)

Lancaster Day Care "Night on the Town" Auction
November 3, 2007
"Magyar II", gouache and oil pastel on paper (framed)
$150 value

Fulton Opera House Gala
September 26, 2007
"Vtlama", original painting
$ 595 value

Hospice of Lancaster County Auction
September 1, 2007
"Hyperia", original painting
$495 value

"Common Roads" Tropicanza
June 17, 2007
"Macawo", original painting
$595 value

Demuth Museum Garden Gala
June 9, 2007 - silent auction
"Crucio I", original painting, framed
$595 value

"Common Roads" Winter Arts Festival
January 20, 2007
"Gypsy Dog" and "Gypsy Dance" 
2 paintings donated for silent auction,
$790 combined retail value 

Lancaster DayCare Center
Auction
November 4, 2006
"Miysha" - $695 value

Crispus Attucks
Art & Jazz Fest II
September 30, 206
"Gypsy" 
2 paintings donated for silent auction,
$590 combined retail value 

Fulton Opera House,
Fulton Gala
October 8, 2005
"Ik-Sandria", $ 440 value

Molly's Pub
Fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina Victims
September 13, 2005
"Basilico"  $ 495 value

Hospice of Lancaster County
Labor Day Auction
September 2, 2005
"Spanish Mission, Key West" $ 595 value

Fulton Opera House
Le Fete du Vin (Wine Gala)
June 2005
"Wine Rumba" (acrylic) - $ 400 value (sold $450)
(This piece was the highest grossing item in the silent auction portion)

Lancaster Mounted Police Auction - Molly's Pub
January 2005
"Luna" (oil) - $ 595 value

Board and Community Involvement

Keystone Art & Culture Center - 2004-2007 - Board Member - Development
418 Pearl Street, Lancaster, PA
www.artfoundlancaster.org

Demuth Foundation, Board - 2007 - Current and 2001-2004  Collections Chair, Education Committee member and Garden Tour Co-Chair
Lancaster, PA
www.demuth.org

Habitat for Humanity - volunteer (1999 - 2002)
www.habitat.org

OTHER LINKS:
The Agora Gallery
www.Agora-Gallery.com

Lancaster Museum of Art
www.lmapa.org

George Mummert (artist)
www.georgemummert.com

Mulberry Art Studios (gallery and studio space)
www.mulberryartstudios.com

Studio Weit (Hand Woven Rugs and Bags)
www.studioweit.com

Tin Roof Designs (website design)
www.tinroofdesigns.com