Joel Ogard (Born 1959) was born in Seattle, Washington. He’s known for watercolor painting. He was born in an artistic family. His parents had a keen interest in art and even sketched and painted together while dating. During his early childhood Ogard saw his father oil painting as a leisure activity. His father was a marriage and family therapist, while his mother majored in art and education in college. She made sure that Ogard and his older brother had ample art supplies at home and encouraged their creative efforts. His maternal Grandmother was a dedicated wood sculptor during her retirement years, and notably decorated her home with her families numerous works of art. Ogard remembers so well looking through art books of the great masters during his frequent visits to her grandmother’s home. He was also inspired and encouraged by his Uncle and paternal Grandfather, both of whom continually produced paintings and other works of art. Painting and drawing were a natural pursuit during his formative years. The artist began watercolor painting in earnest as a fresher in high school, and began selling and showing his paintings while in high school.
In college, he majored in fine art and minored in philosophy. He was honored with his 1st solo exhibit at the university art gallery and graduated in the spring of 1981 from Pacific Lutheran University. Upon graduation, Ogard worked briefly at an architectural firm, and then left in the fall of 1982 to pursue a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Oregon. He was concerned with the gloomy prospects for architects during the downturn at the time, so he took a one-year leave of absence from school to contemplate over his future. He never stopped pursuing his interest in painting and he established relationships with fine art galleries. After just one year he embarked upon a career as a fine artist.
