Country Boy, City Belle™: Joe Ginsberg Design

Welcome to a New World. A world of endless imagination where beauty and grace meet modern-sharp elegance. Where class meets the edge. Where a Country Boy met a New York Artist that took him under his wing and inspired him to do my own thing. Joe Ginsberg is a man of many talents; but his #1 talent is the manner in which he treats people. Joe is a kind soul with a flair for the dramatic in his Art- but not his life. I spent months w/ Joe on a daily basis and he was consistently teaching, showing, showcasing, exhibiting, challenging, encouraging, demonstrating, leading- by not just leading, but leading by example. Joe has people surrounded by him that assist him b/c he's easy to deal with; Joe Ginsberg was a shining LIGHT for me. He has shown me, as a young artist, how to properly treat people in the art world. How to stay true to your roots. Don't sale for less. Be proud of what you created. But if you're going to do it, do it w/ full intent and do it 110%. Don't settle and never compromise the value of your work. These are just a few things I learned from Joe while apprenticing in his studio.

Don't let that sly humble smile fool you. This man has more talent in his pinky-toe than most people have in their whole being. Painter, sculptor, writer, drawer, alchemist, author, photographer, poet and literally a full blown color scientist. I'm serious, he manufactures his OWN glass and blows the most exquisite lamps you have ever seen. Joe actually goes beyond interpreting the world around him and his works illustrate that whole-heartedly. Joe earned degrees from FIT (textile design), the School of Visual Arts (graphic design), NYU (filmmaking), and the Pratt Institute (here he studied and then taught the techniques of the many varieties of printmaking). He left NYC and went on to create and THEN exhibit in Florence, Sicily and Paris, returning in '83 to New York, where he now lives, works, and has a few drinks every now and then. ^__^

Custom blown glass lamps juxtaposed by his rugs he designs. Yes he makes rugs too. Tempo is a forward thinking line he does, check it out here.

One of Joe's LARGER works on canvas inside his studio at 307 W 38th Street.
Chalk, Oil, Acrylic, Charcoal

Country Boy at Joe's Art Studio trying to look cool. Joe's work is exceptional. You just have to see it to believe it. I'm not going to waste your time with well-written adjectives. lol

Beauty and the Beast

(axle grease and motor oil on linen)

He made this too... “If my work sometimes seems ‘off,’ it’s because I think it’s important to jolt the senses.” Whether a scene, a human form, or an expression of his feelings about world destruction or world peace, Ginsberg is not afraid to take chances- his work is replete with surprises.

more of his blown glass

This piece is being done for a man who invents toys. If you look closely enough you can see the different types of toys. Remember miniature skateboards? You can see it in the middle, the green swoosh! Hand on top, forefinger extended. I had one or two of them as a kid b/c my goofy butt couldn't really skateboard.

Yes, he makes furniture too. And pillows...I told you he was talented. God spends more time on some folks, I'm convinced of it. I like his furniture b/c it has a masculine feel to it, yet it's still smooth and vibrant without being too girly.

Country Boy and Charlie Rose! I love this guy. We met Charlie on the street and invited him to come to Joe's signing of his book Bark N.Y. at Barney's. City Belle and I were on our way to the signing of Joe's book and we ran into Charlie Rose walking his dog. I said, "Hey man, my mentor Joe Ginsberg is upstairs in Barney's doing custom drawings for dog owners, you should go up there and let Joe draw your dog." Charlie said, "Seriously?" I said, "Yes I promise, here's a card go to the 9th floor and let Joe draw your black lab. It's near Fred's, the restaurant inside Barneys." "Ok and thank you," he said and walked off. I looked at City Belle and we literally laughed out loud in sarcasm like, he ain't coming up there. But what do ya know we went up to see Joe a little while later and it's Charlie Rose getting his dog drawn. Only in New York kiddos, only in New York.

Joe and I having fun with a step and repeat benefitting Susan G. Komen.

Country Boy~City Belle

I told you earlier Joe inspired me to do my own thing. So when he came to my very 1st Art Show in NYC(my photography behind us) I was more than thrilled. He even purchased a piece of my art work. Talk about being humbled. Here we are at my Solo Exhibition with his assistant Laura. She is such a class-act and extremely fashion forward. I love her style. In fact, I would like to give Laura a shout-out for introducing Joe and I. Thank you Laura. Thanks a lot.