Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Kight.
Hi Joshua, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was a latchkey kid growing up at home alone from 9 to about 16 years old. Because of that I learned how to entertain myself by drawing. I also developed a rich inner life. I drew from comic books then when I graduated from high school I went to Old Dominion University and majored in Art Education. I graduated in 1976 and piled three suitcases on to a motorcycle and drove across country to Austin ,Texas. I took extra studio courses and then was accepted in to the MFA program where I majored in Painting and minored in Art History. After receiving my masters degree in Painting in 1984 I began showing in Air Gallery on 12th street. I showed in lots of juried exhibitions as well. I was part of forming a group of artists called “Suckling Pagans” which later became “Rubber”. We showed together until 1997 or so. I have had solo shows at St. Edwards University, Dougherty Cultural art Center ,A two person show at Longview Museum of Fine art . St. Stephen’s etc. I was a participant in the “Magic of Modern Art” Show in 2023 at the Marietta Cobb Museum of art as well contributing Paintings and an interview to the book “The Magic of Modern art”.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth. I have had a teaching job as well as raising a family so studio time involved losing sleep which I was glad to do. As a young artist I went through a lot of changes involving an artistic nervous breakdown of sorts. Each time I reinvented what I was doing and I began to see that as part of growing as an artist. There is always this feeling as a painter that “everything has been done that can be done”. It leads a lot of painters to move in to things like concept or performance art. I prefer to accept the challenge of finding a new way to paint and express the existential concerns of this era .
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I paint I think of 3 things 1.the entire history of art, 2.The world as it is now 3. My own personal changes and stages of life as well as the mythologies that inform me. I am older and my gaze has moved up in to the night sky as well as the seething conciousness that I see in gardens. I look from one to the other and express myself in comedic/seriousness. My colors are saturated and aggressive and my combinations are original as well as updating older myths . My Triptych “Saturnine Saturdays” 4’x9′ Acrylic on mixed media was a big hit at the Marietta Cobb show, so that is what I am most proud of currently. I am known as a painter as well as a poet. I was president of the Austin Poetry Society in 2025. I have my poems interact with my visual art in various ways. I have made videos of them, Had posters made where they are displayed next to a painting they are connected to and embedded them in the drawings and paintings. I also typically do a reading at solo shows. I had a solo show at G-Spot gallery in Houston called “By Right of Conquest” which used great plains imagery. The opening featured a reading as well as videos of the poems. together with large dynamic paintings like Backyard Coyotes” and “Ghost Dance”.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I have been deeply happy with my career choice of being a fine artist. In looking back at all my early childhood struggles I see it all as contributing to a very fulfilling life. I feel as though I have (as Nietzsche would have said) fallen in love with my fate.
Pricing:
- Watercolors/Inks 30″x 22″ $500.00
- Paintings range between $1500-$5000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joshkight.com
- Instagram: @joshuakight
- Facebook: Joshua Richardson Kight
