Joe DeCamillis

Joe DeCamillis (born October 24, 1963 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a painter who has lived in Birmingham since 1995.

DeCamillis studied creative writing and literature at the University of Colorado and at UCLA. After completing his studies, he moved back to Denver and learned to draw and paint while restoring a vintage UltraVan. Once finished, he and his art-instructor and wife, Dori set off on a multi-year driving tour, selling paintings at outdoor art fairs to support themselves. Using a list of UltraVan owners Joe had obtained, the couple found numerous welcoming hosts along the way. Their paintings depicting interior vignettes of their hosts' homes, always unpopulated but often with evidence of recent occupation, became popular.

Their work sold especially well at the Magic City Art Connection, and, in 1994, when Dori became pregnant, they decided to settle in Birmingham. Their association with the art show led to "best of show" awards in 1995 and 2002, and merit awards in 1996, 1997, and 1999. David Moos curated a solo exhibition, entitled "Yourworld" at the Birmingham Museum of Art in 2000.

Inspired by the light, detail, and longevity of 16th-17th century miniatures painted on copper, DeCamillis turned to that medium, even challenging himself to create pieces smaller than postage stamps.

In 2002, after his split with Dori, Joe began an ongoing series named "A Drive-Thru America", using the visual language of the highway to give access to implied human stories.

External links

• Joe DeCamillis website