We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joe Bussell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joe below.
Joe, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self esteem. How did you develop yours?
Being gay in the 60’s and early 70’s in Overland Park, Kansas was not easy. I did however find ways to survive the bullying and harassment. Albeit some of those “skills” were not the healthiest but through it all I came out as a gay person for the first time when I was a senior at Shawnee Mission West High School. One very powerful thing happened when I came out, the bullying at school stopped. My parents went crazy but the bullying stopped. At last, I could exhale.
Through it all I appreciate the fact I went to a school that saw me and provided an environment where I flourished artistically and creatively. I fully understand many are not that lucky. After I graduated I had what we now call a gap year. I was not sure if my path would lead me toward theater or visual art. In 1974 I auditioned for and got into the then Missouri Repertory Theater (MRT) and at the same time applied to the BFA program at Kansas University. As it turned out MRT was a fling and the BFA program was a commitment. After graduating from KU I was hired for a variety of art related jobs that took me to Boston, Los Angeles and Tucson. During the early years of AIDS I took a detour and worked as the Assistant Director of the Save Home, an AIDS hospice in Kansas City. All the while I kept up my art practice and added to my exhibition record. I finally went to graduate school at Washington University in St Louis in 1991 and received two MFAs one in painting the other in ceramics. I was teaching at Wash U when I got an offer to work and move to London. It was a big risk but I knew I would always regret it if I didn’t go for it. A few years later my remaining parent died while I was in London. I came back to Kansas City to help. While in KC it dawned on me this might be a good place for me.
Flash forward my husband Fred Trease and I have kept our art practices in Rosedale, KS since 2003. During our time in Kansas City, Kansas we have reached many milestones in our art careers but most importantly we have brilliant lives.
Back to the question “How do you develop confidence and self esteem?”.
Learn to recognize and erase toxic people and harmful situations.
Know when to take risks and if it gets too hard take a breath, reach out, and when you are strong pay it forward.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a visual artist and keep my practice in Kansas City, KS. I’m currently showing in the region at:
Habitat Contemporary Gallery KCMO
H&R Block Artspace KCMO
Smalter Gallery KCMO
Garmin in Olathe KS
Henderson Engineers in Lenexa KS
Trio Restaurant in the Country Club Plaza KCMO Daum Museum of Contemporary Art Sedalia, MO.
I will be exhibiting this fall at Happiness Gallery KCMO
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that have helped me along the way are love of books, a deep curiosity, and a desire to succeed.
My advice to anyone searching is to find a good mentor, teacher or elder that you trust and you know to be wise and listen.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I didn’t have one person help but three in very different times in my life.
When I was in 4th and 5th grade I had an amazing teacher Rachel Grantham that opened the door of possibility and allowed me to walkthrough.
In high school I had an art teacher Pat Wolf that said, “I hope you are thinking about art school. If so I can help you put your portfoliotogether.”
Hylarie McMahon in grad school took away the blinders of my past so I could learn a new visual language.
There is nothing like an excellent teacher and I thank these three women every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: joebussellartist.com
- Instagram: joe bussell
- Facebook: joe bussell
- Linkedin: joe bussell
- Other: google
Image Credits
Fred Trease
