JOEL SOBELSON

 

    Joel Sobelson went to college to become a dentist. 

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    But failing organic chemistry class. (three times) was as a sign that maybe dentistry was not his destiny.  Instead, he found himself drawing and being a hippie and so, ended up at Pratt Institute. 

 

    Over a summer internship working for an advertising photographer,

he became attracted to the world of advertising.  He created a portfolio of ads and was immediately hired at one of the top NYC ad agencies. Thus began his award winning career, not with his hands in people’s mouths, but instead, messing with people’s heads.

    

    Once  retired he quickly discovered sitting on the couch, eating Oreos and watching old movies not really as satisfying as imagined. But that boredom compelled him to re-discover his love of drawing. 

One that he has been pursuing ever since.

    

    His imagery allows stories to emerge, which he tells with all the emotional authenticity, style and heart he can bring to the easel.

 

     His work has been selected for many prestigious exhibitions including the American Artists Professional League’s 91st Grand National Exhibit in New York City where he won the Art Spirit Foundation Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Pastel, The Pastel Society of Connecticut and The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists shows. His work has been honored at the North Carolina Pastel Society, Appalachian Pastel Society, and the Pastel Society of the West Coast.