As one of the most respected American landscape painters in the contemporary world, Joseph McGurl has been called "the Robert Salmon of the 21st century" and a "new luminist." Regardless of accolades or titles, McGurl is sought after by collectors around the world because his quality and vision speak for themselves.
McGurl was born in Needham, MA February 4, 1958 the second of five children. His father is a mural painter and his mother a nurse. After growing up in Quincy, MA, McGurl studied with Ralph Rosenthal in Saturday classes at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Massachusetts College of Art (BFA, 1980); University of London Summer Program (1978); Boston University Summer Program in Italy (1979); and figure painting with Robert Cormier (1986-1987), Boston. He is a member of the Guild of Boston Artists; and a Copley Master, Copley Society, Boston. Awards include: Salmagundi Club (1993); First Place Medal (1990), Ripley Award (1997) Guild of Boston Artists; John Singleton Copley Award (1989); Best of Show & the Juror's Choice Award, Copley Society.
Having learned how to draw from an early age from his painter-father, McGurl grew up by the ocean and learned how boats sit in and glide upon the ocean's surface. He has been a Coast Guard Licensed Captain, a Yacht Captain of Charters and Deliveries from Maine to the Caribbean (1982-86), an art instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (1981) and elsewhere. One-man exhibitions include Alfred J. Walker, Boston (1991); Tree's Place (1989, 1990, 1992); Robert Wilson Gallery, Nantucket (1996); Hollis Taggart Gallery, NYC (1995); Cape Museum of Fine Art (1996).
Critics and collectors alike recognize McGurl as one of the few outstanding painters in the 21st century whose star will continue to rise.
