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From
the beginning of his life, Joseph Craig English was destined to become
an artist. His mother ordained it, telling his father before he was born,
that if this baby was a boy he would be an artist. As soon as he was
able to hold a brush, he was encouraged to paint. His early efforts were
brightly colored and energetic, not unlike his work today. He was introduced
to silkscreen printmaking by his 10th grade art teacher and fell in love
with the intense color and flat finish of the inks. By 1972 he had begun
printing in earnest. Working as a designer at an advertising agency in
Washington, DC, by day, and printing at night and through the weekends
he soon grew frustrated with the split careers. In 1974 he resigned from
the agency and devoted all his time to painting and making his silkscreen
prints.
In 1975 the artist and his wife purchased a home in the historic town
of Washington Grove, Maryland and began building a studio. By 1980,
with his works' popularity increasing, English was already breaking
ground for his new studio and doubling the size of the existing house.
Believing that the best way to present art to the public was in a theater
that was relaxed and comfortable, the artist took to the streets, showing
his work at art festivals throughout the country. Developing a huge
customer base, English was now being approached by art galleries who
found his upbeat, beautifully crafted prints to be an exceptional value
in the art market.
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