Education

Joe Devinny has come to his career in art by an unusual pathway. He has undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Chemistry, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. He was for many years a professor of environmental engineering at the University of Southern California. He started his art career after studying painting at Long Beach City College under the direction of Michiel Daniel.

Artistic influences

Devinny’s choice of subjects is heavily influenced by his long standing concern for the environment—many of the paintings are of birds and animals. The work, however, is stylized, using the strong outlines favored by the impressionists, and at times, the dot and line decorations of the Aborigine folk painters of Australia.

Medium(s)

Devinny’s painting is done in acrylics, on canvas, canvasboard, or panel. He has also done crafts work in stained glass, and made turned objects in wood.

Inspiration

Wood turning was Devinny’s first artistic pursuit, beginning thirty years ago. The mechanical aspect of the craft is more easily learned by someone with the engineering training that develops a facility for conceiving and designing complex objects in three dimensions. He began painting when he decided to use acrylic paints to decorate turned wooden plates. As his designs became more elaborate, he decided to expand the work to canvas. His painting is particularly inspired by Aborigine artwork that he encountered during a long stay in Australia and by trips to New Zealand, the Galapagos and the Amazon that included encounters with fantastic wildlife. His interest in boldly colored artwork prompted him to explore stained glass. Again the engineer’s facility with design and work in three dimensions has enabled him to create pieces that depart considerably from the typical two dimensions of stained glass.

Work Experience

Devinny has spent much of his life in teaching students how to protect the environment and in research on better methods for environmental protection. Since his retirement, he has worked from his studio at his home, creating paintings, turned wood pieces, and stained glass panels.

Awards or Acquisitions

November and December, 2008, 22nd Annual International Nativities Exhibition, at the Folk Tree, Pasadena (Several fused glass stars, one sold).

November and December, 2008, El Camino Community College Library Show of Woodturnings, “Juniper and Teak Urn” and “Liquidamber and Wenge Bowl”.

October 5, 2008. Lakewood Artist Guild 2008 Fall Show, John Todd Community Center, Lakewood, California. Two paintings, one woodturning, and one stained glass window entered. Awarded Honorable Mention for “Butterfly Box”, turned wood jewelry box with fused glass decoration.

June 1, 2008. Lakewood Artist Guild 2008 Spring Show, John Todd Community Center, Lakewood, California. Three paintings and one woodturning entered. Awarded First Place in Crafts/Woodwork ($50) for woodturning, “Juniper and Purple Heart Urn”.

June 1-30, 2008. One-man show, Four Olives Café, Long Beach. Eighteen paintings, three woodturnings and three stained glass panels shown. (Two paintings and one panel sold).

May 31-June 28, 2008. “Anything Goes, A Small Works Show,” at the Folk Tree, Pasadena. Stained glass panel (sold).

April 24-26, 2008. Arts and Crafts Retail Expo, Las Vegas. Booth with paintings, woodturnings, stained glass panels, fused glass.

March 31-April 2, 2008. Kiuel Showcase, University of Southern California. Award for Best Technique for “Turned Wooden Vessel” ($50) and for Most Creative ($50), for Acrylic Painting “Campesino”.

November and December, 2007, El Camino Community College Library Show of Woodturnings, “Ash and Purpleheart Urn” and “Ash, Wenge, and Tulipwood Vase”.

March, 2007. Kiuel Showcase, University of Southern California. Award for Best Use of Medium for “Olivewood Bowl”.

August , 2007. One-man Show, Four Olives Café, Long Beach. Eighteen paintings and three woodturnings. Eight paintings sold.

Artist’s statement

Because my training in art is less extensive than that of most professionals, I still view myself as something of a folk artist. My compositions and creations tend to be simple, but with strong colors and outlines. My painting is not technically sophisticated, but I hope to provide an original style and a particular point of view.

Joe Devinny lives with his wife in Long Beach, California, and frequently visits friends who live in Lake Arrowhead.