Joey Welsh is a self-taught artist. Influenced by storybook art and surrealism, he conveys a sense of silliness and splendor within his paintings. He creates in these three mediums: color pencils, acrylic paint or digital paint.
From a young age, Joey was an artist at heart. A big fan of Richard Scarry's work, he was inpired to created his own world of characters. By the age of 10, he wanted to be a cartoonist and began submitting cartoons to the local newspaper. Although none of his work was accepted by the paper, it didn't stop him from creating.
His passion and proficiency with Macintosh computers opened the door to a career in graphic design. He began by typesetting copy for a reprint company and eventually worked his way up to becoming a graphic designer for an ad agency. After several years in this position, he departed and launched his own design and illustration business in 1999.
Around this time, Joey began experimenting with colored pencils. He was immediately drawn in by their abilty for detail, but fell in love with their possiblity for color. Two of his early works that showcased his Gekkard characters were featured in the 2001 & 2002 Color Pencil Society's International Exhibitions.
In 2003, Joey began using a computer and digital tablet to create his artwork. The process begins with a pencil sketch scanned into a computer. He then adds color, shading and texture using Corel Painter software.
Joey became a full-time artist in 2004 and incorporated his company into Gekkards, Inc. Today thousands of Gekkard prints and books have been sold across the country with many more to come.
To me, art has always been about imagination. Its about drawing the things only you can see and sharing them with the world. My favorite art is the kind that tells a story, emotional and humorous. My work is a contribution to this genre.