Hello and Welcome to my website! Here you will find a series of drawings, doodles, and paintings from the age of 5yrs up to present day (right now I'm 30 yrs). I am currently living near Venice, California, writing a book about my travels to the Peruvian Amazon, and thinking about adding more to this chronology page. I have so much artwork, it was challenging to find the right pieces to post on this webpage. I hope you enjoy this. I would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions on how to improve this. Hopefully the page doesn't take too long to load. Thank you for visiting and enjoy the trip through time!

*Please wait while page loads, then scroll down
Creation Begins: Born August 1977, Morgan Hill, California


I don't remember drawing this, but I wonder what the yellow circle
above my head is, and why I drew red lines all over it.
This may be a drawing of me in the womb.
| top of page |

This is one of my favorite early drawings-
I'm not sure what is happening with the nose.
| top of page |

Thanksgiving drawing on a plastic oven bake plate.
| top of page |

I have hearts on my cheeks, and hearts floating out
of my head leading to a tree in a bubble. Interesting?
| top of page |

Moved to San Juan Bautista, population 2,000, 1983

| top of page |

I enjoyed reading MAD Magazine as a child..
| top of page |

| top of page |

Like most kids, I was an instant fan of The Simpsons TV show.
Again, shows something that had an impact on my life at a certain age.
| top of page |

| top of page |

Entered San Benito High School, Hollister, California 1991

I thought low-rider art and cars were so cool. In this drawing, I
wanted to use my imagination a little more so I added a few giant hands.
| top of page |

Another influence on my life at an early age: Comic Heroes.
| top of page |

Three years after this drawing, I will find myself enlisted in the
United States Marine Corps.
| top of page |

Expanding my imagination with lines, movement,
hidden creatures, and a red pen.
| top of page |

The 8-Ball was popular in 10th grade, and I drew a few of these
for friends at school when I should have been doing class work.
| top of page |

I enjoyed Reggae music and listening to Bob Marley, which
had a big impact on the way I thought about life and myself.
| top of page |

I began drawing with pen and ink this year and found it
much better to work with than pencil. I have too many to post here.
| top of page |

First Painting, c.1994, Acrylic on watercolor paper


I was afraid to use color and paint for many years because I didn't know how
to mix colors. I was given an acrylic paint set and this is what came out onto canvas.
| top of page |

The artist MC Escher had a big influence on the way I viewed reality.
This is a sample of the free flowing style of art I enjoyed.
| top of page |

Graffiti Art was popular in High School, and allowed me to use my
imagination in new ways- exploring shape, design, and color.
| top of page |

A fast pencil sketch for a high school art class.
| top of page |

I drew this for an art magazine while I was still in high school, and after a few
months it was finally published while I was in Marine Corps Boot Camp.
| top of page |

Joined The US Marines, age 18, 10/1995


I didn't want to go to college after high school because I really didn't enjoy the education
system. I felt like I should do something with my life, so I joined the US Marines.
| top of page |

| top of page |

Stationed in Okinawa Japan for 1 year, 1996-1997

Typical style of ink drawings found in my sketchbooks for a few years while I
was in the Marines. I have a few hundred, but only posted this one here.
| top of page |

Letting my imagination run wild on sketchbook paper. Okinawa Japan.
| top of page |

The new generation of Marines:
Raised with TV, Computers, and Video Games.
| top of page |

"Happy Valentines Day"
| top of page |

Pen and Ink, I really enjoyed drawing hair.
| top of page | |

Stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 1997-99

I have always been fascinated by the limitless depths
of imagination. Things just appear out of seemingly nowhere.
| top of page |

I think mushroom people are cool.
| top of page |

One of many drawings I did while sitting in my small barracks
room at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
| top of page |

My Marine roommate Jason Harris inspired this drawing.
I wanted to capture the feeling of finally being set free from the Marines.

| top of page |

Our ability to Imagine and Create is part of what makes humans
so special. I like to find ways to EXPAND my Imagination.
| top of page |

I saw this image of starving children in Africa in a magazine. I added
"got milk" to put things into perspective. We have so much in America.
| top of page |

| top of page |

This pen drawing took several days to complete, whereas
most sketchbook drawings take me about an hour.
| top of page |

| top of page |

Pen and ink, with colored pencil.
| top of page |

Sergeant Harris discharged from the Marines! 10/99
Living in Fremont California 3 months, then move to Santa Cruz

After 4 years in the Military, I was happy to have my freedom back.
I worked in an office for a few years and didn't draw too often.
| top of page |

| top of page |

First Watercolor Painting (experiment), 2001

I bought some watercolors and this is what happened.
| top of page |

Stretching the skin to reveal the cells and spaces in between.
| top of page |

Watercolor with pen and ink. After one of MC Escher's drawings.
| top of page |

Logo Design: Scotts Valley Chamber Art & Wine Festival '02
| top of page | |

Bubble Boy was born with a flying chair because
he has round feet and has difficulty walking.

| top of page |

After working in an office for a few years, I wanted to figure out what to
do with my life. So my girlfriend and I sold everything and we decided to
volunteer on organic farms in France, and then hike 350 miles across Northern Spain
6/2002

watercolor, 5" x 8", 9-2-02
| top of page |

watercolor, 5" x 8", 9-4-02
| top of page |

watercolor, 5" x 8", 9-16-02
| top of page |

After returning from France and Spain I moved to Portland,
Oregon with only my car, a few clothes, and a credit card.
My dream was to be a fulltime self-employed artist.

9/2002

2002 - Begin selling original artwork on ebay.com
| top of page | |

2002 - Discovering new colors and designs.
Looking at new ways to express feelings and emotion.
| top of page |

2002 - Playing around with abstraction, texture, and color.
| top of page |

2003 - Trying out different ideas for modern decorative abstract paintings.
| top of page |

2003 - One of many commissioned pet portraits
| top of page |

2003 - Lilly Pond, 24" x 30", acrylic on canvas. Painted from a photograph.
| top of page |

2003 - Inspired by Native American/ Southwest Art. I love the
colors and imagery of this style of art. It really speaks to me.
| top of page |

2004 - A transition to calm landscapes. Here, I really begin to meditate
while painting. Thinking about my life, and what is most important to me.
| top of page |

2004 - Using light and dark - First gallery exhibition at La Muse in Portland, OR
| top of page |

2004 - 15 different paintings licensed and published in 4 countries.
This is "decorative art" but it allowed me to continue painting,
meditating, and exploring my inner world.
| top of page |

2005 - Continue to paint hundreds of landscapes
| top of page |

2005 - Exploring texture - Tuscany Series
| top of page |

2005 - Gallery Exhibitions at Graystone, Zeek, Ballentyne,
and Dragonfire Galleries, Oregon
| top of page |

2006 - Exhibition at DragonFire Gallery, Cannon Beach OR
| top of page |

2006 - Published Artwork - Discovering different techniques and styles
| top of page |

2006 -More work with texture. Digital images don't do this justice.
| top of page |

2006 - Abstract Meets Tuscany- I loved getting into red paint!
| top of page |

2006 - Learning how to express certain feelings through the artwork.
| top of page |

2006 - Commission, 32" x 48"
| top of page |

2006 - Art Cards: Sold online and at art galleries
| top of page |

2006 - Tuscany Reflections, 36" x 48" I was inspired by water
reflections from another artist and adapted it to my style of painting.
| top of page |

4.20.06: Sold everything I owned and lived in the Amazon region of Peru for 1 year. I took one year off from painting and creativity, and focused on finding answers to life's questions. In the Amazon, I worked with a visionary/shamanic plant called Ayahuasca which allowed me to view reality from a different perspective, and has changed my life forever.......You can see the change by looking at the Before (Tuscan Paintings above), and After: (New Art Below)

Links:





4/2007 - "The Self Is Within" a Self Portrait
- The eye is the window to the soul -
| top of page |

4/2007 - "What Are You Looking At?"
- WAKE UP!! Am I aware of who I am? and why I am here? -
| top of page |

5/2007 - "I AM"
*Click Painting for more details.
| top of page |

5/2007 - "Secret To Life"
*Click Painting for more details.
| top of page |

6/2007 - "Human Life, Day 1"
*Click Painting for more details.
| top of page |

6/2007 - "Entering The Light"
*Click Painting for more details.
(photo credit: source image for this painting came from google photos. attempting to locate photographer, original painting not for sale)
| top of page |

7/2007 - "The Happiness Factor"
*Click Painting for more details.
| top of page |

7/2007 - "The Answer"
*Click Painting for more details.
| top of page |



"War Is Insanity" 11x14, Pen and Ink, 12/07
| top of page |



"Love and Fear" 11x14, Pen and Ink, 1/08
In each moment I have a choice. Am I choosing Love or Fear?
| top of page |



"Balanced Earth" 8 1/2 x 11, Pen and Ink, 2/08
Everything that exists within creation is
always (in all ways) balanced.
| top of page |



2/19/08 The beginning of a"WAKE UP!" campaign.
I often ask myself, "How aware am I? Could I be more aware?"
| top of page |

"Feel Me" 12 x 36, Acrylic on Canvas, 2/08
| top of page |

"The Great Observer" 10 x 24, Acrylic on Canvas, 5/08
| top of page |

"Be What You Are" 18 x 18, Acrylic On Canvas, 5/08
| top of page |

"Seeing Through Illusions" 12 x 12, Mixed Media 7/25/08
(click for more details)

| top of page |

"Evolution Of Consciousness" 12 x 12, Mixed Media 8/2/08
(click for more details)

| top of page |


...........

Right now I am living near Venice, California while writing a book about my
2006 journey to the Amazon, living with Shipibos, and my experiences with Ayahuasca.

I am currently seeking a publisher- any contacts, leads, or offers greatly appreciated.
Please send me an email: info@joelharrisstudio.com



| top of page |


counter start date: 1/17/2008

.copyright 2008 JRHarris www.joelharrisstudio.com