Joshua Sorenson

The circumstances of Joshua Sorenson’s childhood were exactly what this budding artist needed: smaller class sizes in school, a home environment where the arts were freely explored, and a successful painter for a father. In essence, he spent his whole life getting to this one, pivotal point.

“My goal is to be a successful gallery artist,” he says. Joshua’s father, Jack Sorenson, makes his living painting primarily western-inspired art and shows much of it in a gallery in Santa Fe. “I try to have a show every year. My first one was in Roasters in 2002 and I sold everything. It’s the best feeling in the world.”

The fact that Joshua can’t even remember the first time he painted, drew or created anything on paper suggests his talent and interest was there from the beginning. It’s simply always been there.

“I do remember sketching a sculpture of Dad’s when I was a toddler, but I was always drawing. If I didn’t have a toy I wanted, I’d just draw it and play with that,” he says.

Jack’s influence on his son brought a critical eye to Joshua’s work, encouraging him to refine his technique and help him mold his own unique style of painting. Joshua centered his focus on art after high school when he enrolled in Amarillo College and proceeded to take classes in a variety of mediums, including theater and voice. After dabbling in Psychology, he returned to his love of art and graduated with an associates degree in Fine Arts.

“My parents have always harped on following our dreams,” says the middle child of five. “So I’m going to use that when I have advice to give.”

Joshua wasn’t the only creative child among his four brothers and sisters. Each one developed into his or her own talents with the encouragement and support of their parents. Among the five children, there are writers, singers, musicians, performers and, of course, painters.

Following a slew of jobs – from being a newspaper boy and working at Chick-Fil-A to manning a kiosk in the mall – Joshua found part-time work at the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble. There he learned everything about being a barista, as well as everything about working for a corporation. By 2000, he was after a job Roasters on Georgia.

“I found out about an opening at Roasters, and with Starbucks you have a million bosses and you definitely get put in your place,” he says. “At Roasters, you work for a man who depends on you to create an environment and that’s very rewarding.”

Over the next 10 years, Joshua worked mostly on, occasionally off, at the busy coffee shop, only taking time off to focus on his artwork. In January 2010, he met Alexis, now his fiancée, and the two are set to be married on October 10 (note the 10-10-10) and the two will settle in Denton, Texas, afterward. Joshua plans on painting full time.

“People have bought my art just because they like it but I really want to seek out collectors and paint for them,” he says. “I want to end up in Joe Wade Fine Arts. It’s just the coolest gallery in Santa Fe. My dad’s probably been in there 20 years or more.”

Joshua’s final art show is scheduled for Friday, November 5, at Roasters.

When I get in my car, the first thing I listen to is… Radiohead. Few bands have stuck with me since high school (Caprock 99), and I’m all but certain that Radiohead will always be my ‘go-to’ music choice. I’ve bought OK Computer about a dozen times, mostly as gifts, but also to replace the ones I’ve worn out.

My friends and family call me… Josh, no matter how many times I’ve said that I prefer Joshua!!!

My favorite meal to make from scratch is… Eggs Benedict. Cooking has always been fun to me. I prefer to cook every meal, and generally do, so I have a lot of favorites but cooking a great breakfast has always been my favorite. Traditional Eggs Benedict is served on a toasted English Muffin with Canadian Bacon, a poached egg, and some hollandaise sauce, however, I prefer replacing the bacon with fresh avocado slices.

In an alternate life, I would’ve been an... artist. I realize that I am currently an artist, but I honestly cannot imagine, and would not want to imagine it any other way. I love everything about the creative process of painting. Art echos life in so many ways. As I learn and grow from life, my knowledge of art increases. Art is a gift from God that I cherish immensely!

The most famous or interesting person I’ve ever met is… my father, Jack Sorenson. He is a world famous western artist represented by the Joe Wade Fine Art gallery in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Growing up around art, constantly attending his shows, going to museums, and entering his studio (which was really just another room in our house) anytime I had a question- eventually made me numb to the specialness of what my father does. He creates. Every day he has the ability to create an amusing, or inspiring, or simply just a beautiful piece of art work. He has done this for most of his life, and for all of mine. He is absolutely the most interesting person I’ve ever met, as well as the most famous.

If I had an open plane ticket to anywhere, I would go to… Italy. I’ve always wanted to visit the land of my ancestors. As an average American, I am a mutt, however, a large percentage of my genes can be traced back to Italy. It is a dream of mine to visit the Sistine Chapel, the art of Michelangelo must be captivating in person.

After a long, hard day, I love to… relax and take in a movie. I’ve always had a pretty good suspension of disbelief, so when hard days happen I love to escape into a good movie.

One of my favorite childhood toys was… my skateboard. To be more accurate, my brothers skateboard. After being warned not to use his skateboard many times, my 7 year old brain knew that i had no choice but to do just that. So in an act of rebellion, I decided to ramp off the curb of the driveway. Unfortunately for me, the ‘trick’ ended up breaking my leg. I broke my femur bone right in half, and laid waiting for my dad to come home and find me. It was an agonizing 30 minutes later that my father found me outside and rushed me to the emergency room. The scene of the car ride was pandemonium in its purest form. My dad running red lights, speeding, swerving, my mother holding her hand across my head wiping tears and sweat, both sisters screaming and crying-thinking I’m dying, and my older brother glaring at me with a scrunched up and pouty face. Looking back on the event, my family and I always laugh remembering what my brother said on that car ride. He said, “see, I told you not touch MY SKATEBOARD!”

One movie I could watch over and over again is… The Princess Bride. I’ve seen it a million times, and could easily watch it a million more.

If I were a character in a book, I would be… Robin Hood. He is badass with a bow and arrow and likes robbing rich dudes to hook up his peeps.

The greatest piece of advice I’ve ever received is… My mother once told me to put God first, and you’ll always be happy. I’m most definitely not saying that I’ve always been able to do that, but when I have, I’ve been keen to the difference that it makes. Thanks mom!

When my children grow up, the one thing I want them to always remember is… follow their dreams. It’s a piece of advice that my parents have passed down to me, and it is worth repeating. Not enough people truly follow their dreams. Whatever it is in life that makes you have that passionate feeling, as art does for me, is what you should be spending your time doing. You only get one shot at life. Follow your dreams!

You may be surprised to know that I… have been painting for the past 10 years, and now, finally, this year- I will be able to paint full-time.

One habit I wish I could break is… cigars & beer. Well ok, maybe just one or the other, I don’t think I could do without both.

My guilty pleasure is… cigars & beer. Mmmmmmmmm.......

I know every word to the song… Inner City Blues, by Marvin Gaye.

If I had the time, I would… learn many languages and experience many cultures.

My favorite bad-for-me-food is… Nachos!!!! My fiance, Alexis, makes the best nachos you could ever eat. She starts by sauteing lots of veggies; black beans, asparagus, squash, onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Topped with tons of pepper-jack cheese, some guacamole, hot sauce and Pico de Gallo. It is amazing!

When I get online, I always go to… Joe Wade Fine Art

The most unique place I’ve ever traveled to is … Amsterdam. I went to the Rijks Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum. I had a great time seeing art through the eyes of the Dutch. Being in the native land of great masters such as Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Vincent van Gogh gave me a better understanding of their styles and subject matter. I love making those kind of connections in art. Now when i think of a famous Dutch painting, such as ‘The Girl with a Pearl Earring,’ my mind is free to wander in that world that Vermeer created, because I have been there. I can smell it, I can breathe the same air, and allow the work to consume me in an all-encompassing way.

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