BIO​

As a teenager Joel studied painting with Polish artist Leo Cizes and later, at New York’s Art Students League.  In the 1960s, he became interested in photography, but even before he bought his first camera, he built a darkroom. His art has always been about crafting pictures rather than taking pictures. 

In 1968, Joel and his wife Betty founded Exposure Gallery on New York’s lower East side.  During the 1960’s, he exhibited his work there and at other East Coast galleries. The photography critic of the New York Times  described him as a technical master. His photographs from that period were one of a kind images individually crafted using bleaches, dyes, and toners. You can find examples of this early work from the 1960s here.  

In 1970 Joel and Betty moved from Manhattan to Berkeley California.  Impressed by the amazing flora of Northern California they began crafting pictures made with pressed flowers (Oshibana). In the 1970’s, their Wilderness Cards and Flora were sold at the UC Berkeley Art Museum and scores of galleries throughout coastal California.

In 1985, while Joel was introduced to digital media, which profoundly influenced his work. Where once he painted with colors, he could now paint with images. Today his work includes both photography as well as digital art.

See Joel Schreck's Current Work at

joelschreck.com

Contact Him at
 joelharveyschreck@gmail.com