Artist Spotlight: Joe Meyere

Before Spooktober ends, it only seemed appropriate to do an Artist Spotlight on someone who lives for Halloween. That's right, I'm talking about Joe from our Latter-Day Saint Geeks team. Don't forget to follow Joe's art on social media.

--Spencer

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I’m from a small town in central Utah. I used to wander the art museums in my home town and all I saw were portraits and landscapes. I wanted to do something more interesting, something that captured the imagination. 

Who are your biggest artistic influences?

I love Alex Ross who paints comic books-as in each comic panel is a full painting with life models. It gives the heroes a far more life-like quality. I also love Kentaro Miura, the artist of the Berserk manga. I love the detail and shape he gives all his characters. 

Tell me about your favorite medium.

I love anything physical. I admire digital artists but there’s nothing like feeling the raw material in my hands and shaping it into something new. 

Where do you find inspiration?

I am inspired by the little moments that make a moment. The way a character will suddenly realize that they’re in danger, or how an animal can move a certain way that’s unique to that animal. I love to translate that into something fantastic. 

When is your favorite time of day to create?

After dark. I believe that anything done after dark is sacred. 

Describe how art is important to society.

Art is the way society processes the world it exists in. A good example is The Last of Us TV series. While it follows the video game it also has subtle references to the COVID pandemic. The show has become a way to process some of our feelings about the pandemic. 

What motivates you to create?

I want to create something beautiful. I want to add things to the world that make it a more interesting place to live in. I see a blank wall and I think “That’s a shame. Something could go there” and I created something to go there. 

How do you define success as an artist?

I think success is measured in multiple ways. The first time one of my pieces sold at an auction (Albeit a ward auction) I was so honored I jumped for joy. When bots on Instagram tried to scam me for my work I got excited. When Facebook’s algorithm recognized the actor in one of my pieces I got excited. I think success is anytime something happens with my art that makes me jump for joy. 

Does art help you in other areas of your life?

Art teaches me patience with myself when I don’t pick up on something right away. It’s helped me see how to figure out a problem step by step, or see it through other angles. 

How do you develop your art skills?

I am constantly practicing and am ready to create at the drop of a hat. Right now I have three different sketch books that I carry with me everywhere, in case I have a moment and some inspiration. 

What’s integral to the work of an artist?

Patience with yourself. Realizing that every piece isn’t going to be a masterpiece and that some days you’re just going to make art. The point isn’t to make something perfect, the point is to make something. 

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

I drew some fanart from Spelunky 2 of a walrus madam in a seductive pose. When I showed it to my stepdad he said “What’s wrong with you?!” I knew it was a winner. I’ve also had several pieces that have disturbed my wife. I’m exceptionally proud of creating something with such a visceral reaction. I’ve done several pieces for my friends after their pets passed away. When they tear up when they see their beloved pets rendered I know I did it right.

What do you dislike about the art world?

I hate the argument over what “Is” and what “Isn’t” art. An original Monet is art. A child’s drawing is art. A piece of fanart is art. Anything meant to make another human feel something is art. 

What do you dislike about your work?

I dislike how my faces sometimes turn out. I can have this amazing scary monster and the human reacting to it to me looks like a character from Scooby Doo. 

What do you like about your work?

I like how I can see tangible progression the longer I do it. I look at some of my old artwork that I thought was a masterpiece and I realize that I must’ve been blind or never seen a human face before compared to what I do now, and I know that in the future I’ll feel the same about my current work. 

What superpower would you have and why?

Telekinesis. That way I could do multiple things without having to get up. 

Your top 3 fandoms of all time

1: Anything with Harley Quinn. 

2: H.P. Lovecraft

3: Disney

Don't forget to check out Joe's latest blog posts 

You can follow Joe's art accounts, Harvey Quinn Studio, on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.