Joshua LaRock

B. 1982 in Austin, Texas

Joshua LaRock is quickly becoming a sought after and much-admired Classical Realist. After receiving a baccalaureate degree in Music Business at The University of Colorado, Denver in 2005, LaRock found himself compelled to explore a completely different vocation as an artist in the realm of classical painting. It was a resolute and challenging decision that led him to the Water Street Atelier, where he received tutelage from Jacob Collins. Being in New York, studying with Collins, and acquiring masterful draughtsmanship at an astonishing rate are proving to be fruitful for LaRock, and his work feels more of a mid-career artist than an emerging painter.

LaRock’s works are almost an ode to the past while being filtered through his life, his point of reference. This makes his emotive portraits memorable and potent and gives his narrative pieces an eerily contemporary attitude. Even when referencing Bouguereau or using a pastoral theme, LaRock imbues a shade of the contemporaneous, drawing the viewer deeper into his world. His still life paintings pop off the canvas and give new reverie to the ordinary. Each work is tightly rendered and thoughtfully composed; this is in stark contrast to LaRock’s en plein air landscapes, which are soft touches of color carefully recording a specific moment or truth in nature.

In 2012 LaRock’s portrait submission of his wife, Laura was hailed as ‘deserving special attention’ during the historic America China Oil Painting Artists League (ACOPAL) exhibit at the Beijing World Art Museum. Reproductions of “Laura” quickly became the best selling souvenir throughout the extent of the Chinese tour. Since his Chinese debut LaRock has been commissioned to paint portraits of many distinguished Chinese personalities including Mrs. Wang Limei, Director of the Beijing World Art Museum, Mr. Brian Lu, Vice President and General Manager of Apple Inc. in greater China, Actress, Zhou Zhi and the popular Chinese singer, Yi Liyuan.

Joshua LaRock is represented by galleries in California, Massachusetts and South Carolina. He has participated in exhibitions throughout the US and has received a number of awards from the Art Renewal Center. He currently lives and works in Austin, Texas.