Joel Simon is a visual artist based in Ireland, whose paintings explore concepts of timeless beauty and grace.

Much of the inspiration for his paintings  is sourced from images found in vintage magazines and imaginary colour schemes with a cinematic dimension.

Joel studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Liège, Belgium, before living in the USA and England and eventually settling in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

He has been working as a film-maker and animator, winning over 60 international awards, and collaborating with artists as diverse as Seamus Heaney, Richard Curtis, and Billy Connolly.

Making a transition into oil painting, Joel became fascinated with narrative painting and the idea of telling evocative stories through his subject's stylised poses and their emotional resonance.

Joel studied the traditional glazing techniques of old masters at The Florence Studio in Italy, and alla prima painting with Spanish artist Arthuro Gain.

His work has been selected, amongst others, by the Royal Ulster Academy and the RBSA and his first solo show FACES OF BELFAST featured in the Belfast International Arts Festival.