Biography
Joshua LaRock is internationally recognized as a preeminent figurative artist. His exquisite paintings are an ode to the past filtered through a contemporary life. LaRock’s portraits and figurative pieces alike are memorable for both their emotive quality and for evoking an eerily present feeling. Inspired by Bouguereau and other masters of the past, Joshua imbues a shade of the timeless, drawing the viewer deeper into his personal interpretation of how the world ought to be.
Among Joshua’s most striking works are those of his wife, Laura. In 2012, “Portrait of the Artist’s Wife” was hailed as ‘deserving special attention’ during the historic America China Oil Painting Artists League exhibit at the Beijing World Art Museum. While “Laura in Black” was part of the prestigious BP Portrait Award 2016 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London and is the subject of his premier instructional video “The Layers of Portrait Painting”.
LaRock is represented by Collins Galleries, Cape Cod, Portraits, Inc., and Maxwell Alexander Gallery, LA. He has participated in exhibitions throughout the US, Europe and China, is recognized as an Art Renewal Center Living Master, and is much sought after as a workshop instructor.
Artist Statement
I am dedicated to painting that invites humanity into the timeless story of beauty. We are all desperate for affirmation that things are more than what they seem, that we are part of a story bigger than ourselves. Art is evidence that this is, in fact, so. When arranged skillfully, simple pigments and ground earth have the potential to become emotion, love, narrative - in other words, within a painting these raw materials transform into something which is tangible but profound, and much more than the sum of its parts. Beauty generates wonder, shapes our desires for the good and true, and ultimately produces hope.
I am a champion of beauty - and in my work I have no other aim.
REPRESENTATION:
Collins Galleries - Cape Cod
Portraits, Inc. - US
Maxwell Alexander Gallery - Los Angeles
Stephen Ling - Beijing
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:
2018
American Masters, Salmagundi Club, NY NY
Americans in Paris, Arcadia Contemporary, LA; L’Oeil du Prince, Paris
12x12 A Portrait Exhibition, Florence Academy of Art US, NJ
LA Art Show, Maxwell Alexander Gallery, Los Angeles
2017
Art Renewal Center International Salon, Salmagundi Club, New York; European Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona
LA Art Show, Maxwell Alexander Gallery, Los Angeles
2016
American Masters, Salmagundi Club, NY NY
BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery, London; Usher Gallery, Lincoln; Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
Permanent Collection, New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain CT
In Full Bloom, Portraits, Inc. NY NY
2015
Paintings Acquired by the CS Lewis Institute, Salmagundi Club, NY NY
Nude: A Figure Drawing Exhibition, Eleventh Street Arts, NY NY
2014
Showroom Exhibition, LaRock / Klein Studios, NY NY
Small Works, Collins Galleries, Orleans MA
2013
LA Art Show, SR Brennen Galleries, Los Angeles CA
Small Works, Collins Galleries, Orleans MA
2012
ACOPAL: Contemporary American Realism Beijing World Art Museum, Beijing, China
The Figure, Collins Galleries, Orleans MA
Grand Opening McColl Fine Arts, Charlotte NC
ACOPAL: Contemporary American Realism Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown OH
2011
Expressing the Figure: Drawings from Life St. John’s University, Queens NY
ACOPAL: Inaugural Exhibition of Contemporary American Realism National Arts Club, NY NY
2010
Young Masters Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich CT
Reviving Realism Cavalier Galleries, Greenwich CT
2008
Jacob Collins and the Water Street Atelier Atlanta Art Gallery, Atlanta GA
The Water Street Atelier Meredith Long & Company, Houston TX
AWARDS:
2016 BP Portrait Award, Laura In Black, National Portrait Gallery, London UK
2016 Purchase Award, Laura In Black, Art Renewal Center International Salon
2016 Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition
2015 Named a Living Master by the Art Renewal Center
2013 First Place $10,000 Prize, Grand Central Academy Figure Drawing Competition
2012 Finalist Art Renewal Center International Salon, Figurative Category
2011 Grand Prize Winner ACOPAL Open Competition: for membership and inclusion in the National Arts Club and Chinese Exhibitions
2011 Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition
2008 First Place, Art Renewal Center Scholarship Competition
2007 First Place, Art Renewal Center International Salon, Drawing Category
2007 Second Place, Art Renewal Center Scholarship Competition
TEACHING:
Core Instructor The Grand Central Atelier 2009 - 2016
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
Artists To Watch Southwest Art Magazine February 2017
Lessons In Layering The Artist’s Magazine Januart/February 2017
Shaping Our Desires Fine Art Today April 2016
Kate Spade Seeing Realist Art In A New Light October 2015
In the Studio with Allison: Michael Klein and Joshua LaRock September 2015
Two Artists Invited to a Chateau on the Riviera Plein Air Magazine December-January 2015
Gallery Chronicles by James Panero The New Criterion January 2015
The Real Deal China Daily September 2012
Artists Making Their Mark: Three To Watch Fine Art Connoisseur October 2011
Gallery Chronicles by James Panero The New Criterion June 2011
Young Masters American Art Collector September 2010
Reviving Realism American Art Collector February 2010
The Grand Central Academy of Art: A Collective Vision for a Classical Revival American Artist Drawing Spring 2009
Jacob Collins and the Water Street Atelier American Art Collector October 2008
The Hudson River School for Landscape: Reviving an American Tradition American Artist Workshop Winter 2007
EDUCATION:
2006 - 09 Intensive classical drawing and painting study under Jacob Collins. Water Street Atelier, New York, New York
2007 Instruction in landscape painting and drawing in the tradition of the original Hudson River School. Hudson River School for Landscape, New York
2005 University of Colorado, Denver, ColoradoBachelor of Science in Music, Summa Cum Laude Major: Music Industry Studies with a focus in Music Business.