How long have you been painting?

That’s a very interesting question as I would say that I cannot recollect exactly when I started. I know have always been sketching away ever since I was a boy. I started taking my art studies more seriously in my teenage years, although, back at school I was taught by two wonderful teachers, Rita Saliba and Vincent Briffa, both specialists in their own artistic field.

In my teens I was still at a stage where I would not finish off an entire painting, as I would rather experiment and leave collections of unfinished works. I probably didn’t finish a painting before I was around 20. That’s now 28 years ago.

In the early 80s I enrolled myself in a correspondence course at the ABC Paris School of Art, of which all books and documentation I still use and refer to from time to time.

Where and when have you exhibited your work?

Back in 2000, I displayed my work in an art gallery at Bay Street. I organised my first untitled exhibition, displaying 15 works depicting Maltese landscapes. Then I put my art aside for a bit as other things took priority. It was not before 2006 that I set myself to painting again, making up a collection, this time, for another exhibition in 2007, entitled A Maltese Palette at the Hilton Malta Foyer. From there on I never looked back. Art in general and painting fell into place and now play a vital role in my life.

My art is my life, apart from my family. This is the only way I can describe it. I would never imagine any moment in my life were my art is not part of it. I would say that my art keeps me sane. Every day, I wake up reflecting on works that I have done and contemplate what would be my next painting.

In 2009 I organised my third solo exhibition titled Element of Moods.  Here, I would say that viewers were somewhat surprised at what was being exhibited. In 2011, Closer to the Heart, a solo exhibition held at the Portomaso Tower, consisted of 50 works in acrylics and oils, plus a collection of another 50 sketches in pen and ink. This exhibition was going back to my roots, painting and sketching Maltese land and seascapes. 

Can you make a living out of art?

I would say that although it’s very difficult to make a living out of being an artist, one could take the plunge and concentrate, making the right moves in exposing and marketing the product on a wider market.  I believe that it can be done. However, I should have done this a long time ago when I was more free spirited. Today I would never look at my art as being part of making a living. I would never want to take it to the level of paying my bills as this would change its perspective. I am who I am and my art is what I am.

As an Information Systems Manager at the Hilton Malta, my art takes me away from my hectic daily life. The support I get from my family is great, allowing me to be away from them whenever I am painting in my studio or on an outdoor experience.

What is the major theme that runs through your work?

Although my art has always been surrounded by ‘life itself’, my paintings today relate more to what is happening around me rather than the painting itself. It is somewhat of a contradiction to say this however, I paint what I feel and let the medium work on its own.

My inspiration comes from the outdoors. Since 2010 I have been painting and sketching en plein air. This has allowed me to not just paint a picture but be part of it. I walk down a valley or stroll through a village; wind, rain or shine, the crashing of waves, smelling fields and feeling the soil under my feet... This is what makes me part of it all.

Do you have any favourite styles and artists?

Critics and art analysts have somewhat mentioned other artists in their reviews comparing my works, however, I am not too fond of this. I would never say that I have a particular style or favourite artist.  I have studied the masters and I follow both upcoming and well establishedlocal and international artists.

I have experimented in different mediums. This is probably why I feel do not have a particular style. Every medium has its own characteristics and ways that one can express one’s self. My passion for art has widened its horizons by following works of the impressionists Monet, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, Van Gogh to the stronger J.M.W. Turner to the more subtle Edward Hopper, Joseph Zbukvic and Alvaro Castagne.

Why is the current exhibition called Dancing Brushes?

Dancing Brushes started off as a coincidence.  In 2012 during some en plein air sessions with fellow artists, I started looking into taking the medium of watercolour to outdoors, reducing the amount of equipment to carry all the way down to a waterfront. I would just take a couple of small, postcard size watercolour papers and a selection of colours from my original palette and sketch before going off to work. I found this medium very exciting and week after week, painting practically every day, I came up with a collection of works that made me think of organising an exhibition.

At my studio The Art Cove at the Cavalieri Hotel and my converted garage back in my hometown in Balzan I continue to create more works with this medium reaching  a stage where, whenever I came to paint, I just picked up my watercolour box rather than my acrylics or oils.

Dancing Brushes came to life when I divided my Arches 300gsm paper into a comfortable size of 35cm x 53cm. This allowed me to paint both indoors and outdoors without any particular challenges. The flow of water and my mix of colour made my way of painting come to life. The way I placed the height of the easel, painting standing and overlooking my paper saw the movement of my brushes, swirling and gliding over water just like a dancer over ice.

I started introducing more colour and applying more water, glazes of colour allowing me to add all the elements of nature and what is to be found in the streets around us, The inclusion of methods of communication, life and people now play a role in my paintings. Cars, electrical wires, street signs... all become part of a story I am relating within every painting found in the Dancing Brushes collection.

What feedback have you had so far?

The Dancing Brushes exhibition was introduced by a great friend, the English writer Rob Parry, who resides in Malta, and inaugurated by His Excellency Dr George Abela, the President. At this point I must mention the great team of people, including family and friends, supporting companies, the Casapinta Design Group, Intervisions, GO, Shireburn Software, PTL, Smart Technologies, Marsovin, Next, Alberta, MSV Life, Zheta International, Palazzo de Piro, without whom it would not have been possible,

On the opening night, an eye for detail was one of the first remarks I got, followed by a packed evening with on-going positive remarks.The exhibition was well received with constructive criticism and positive feedback. People enjoyed every painting, asking and describing the way they felt when viewing such works.

Dancing Brushes is on at Palazzo de Piro, Mdina every day from 10.30am to 5pm until 31 January.

What they said about Joseph Casapinta

“This artist started out, and technically remains, a most highly talented pen and ink observer of all things mundane. His pen and ink works are impeccably delicate and to the point, incisive and indicative of his interpretation of romantic corners of perception. But with paint, which is what this exhibition presents us, Casapinta takes on a new dimension when major enthusiasm kicks in.” – Marika Azzopardi, Morphing through Art 2009

“Closer to the heart …  away from it all is an emotional and sentimental expression of an incurable romantic who has finally found solace in nature to escape the stress and tension of modern living. The dichotomy, the polarity, the struggle explicit in Elements of Moods (Hilton Malta 2009) has melted away and instead there is a catharsis that has brought a complete change in the artist, a denouement.” – E.V. Borg 23 August 2011

“The stunning seascapes and harbour views captivate the eye and the mind; one can hear the gentle lapping of the water against the pebbled shore or the shiny, well kept hulls. Indeed, the wonderful detail in reflection is breathtaking and is all part of the art of creating a visual image that flows from the heart, and onto the paper through those dancing brushes.” – Rob Parry November 2013