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Joe LaPierre, beloved husband, father, artist, musician, friend of many, was suddenly taken home to meet his maker on Tuesday, August 4th, 2009. Joseph was well known in many circles of life, loved and respected in all of them.
He and his wife, Melody, moved to Palm Beach County in 1980, and became residents of Palm Beach Gardens in 1989 after their son Jesse was born, soon to be followed by their daughter Sarah.
Joe gave to his community in a multitude of ways. His paintings can be found in many homes and offices locally and across the state of Florida, as well as up and down the east coast of the United States and dispersed to a variety of national and international locations. He considered his talents to be a gift from God, and felt privileged to be able to provide for his family by doing something that he loved......... painting.
His paintings were like him, larger than life, bright, and uplifting in nature. As do many artists, he tried a variety of venues over the years, but found his niche with a palette knife, which remained his primary tool for the past twenty-plus years. He created thick textured paintings that, while loose in style by the nature of the knife, were scenes that were easily recognizable and readily enjoyed.
Joseph supported his community. He was always ready to contribute his artwork
to help local organizations, including the fundraising causes of the Loxahatchee
River Historical Society and Jupiter Lighthouse, Artigras, Sunfest, and Celebrities
Fore Kids. He also gave artwork to many other schools, churches, and clubs
to help in raising money to promote their charity or to support teaching art
to students. He would do demonstrations, teaching as he painted, and also
gave his "Art Festivals 101" class to artists just starting out,
giving them instructions and helpful hints based on his wealth of experience
gained over the years of finding how to successfully sell his paintings at
art festivals and galleries. He did not hesitate to share his ‘trade
secrets’ as he was always eager to encourage others to pursue
excellence and success in their artistic endeavors.
He was honored to be selected as the poster artist for several prominent art festivals such as Artigras, Artfest by the Sea, Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, and several times for the Venice Arts Festival. He always had fun creating something that he thought was appropriate for the event and yet expressive of his style.
He often traveled up and down the east coast, with his family team, delivering paintings to customers and galleries or participating in art festivals. He enjoyed beginning and ending his ‘summer season’ in Virginia Beach, at the Boardwalk Art Show in June and the Neptune Festival in September. Everywhere he went, he made friends of patrons of his artwork and fellow artists alike.
Joe was a recognized musician before he took to painting full time, known by many for his role as singer/songwriter in the "Mike's Towing Band". The group performed from the mid 70’s to early 80's and had a following that continues to this day, even though the last official performance was long ago.
In addition to paintings that can be valued and enjoyed for generations to come by those who are fortunate enough to own them, Joe's legacy is one of integrity, encouragement and enthusiasm. His children, Jesse and Sarah, were his pride and joy, and though he gave without reservation to many, his first priority was his family. He regarded his children as his greatest legacy.
Thank you to those who knew him for your expressions of kindness and love for him (and his family.. we were a team effort, you know). Please feel free to share your memories with us, as there were many folks whose lives he touched without announcing it to anyone. It was just his way. His Facebook page will be kept active and his website will be updated from time to time as we continue to carry on with our lives and make decisions in the days ahead. His last collection of unsold paintings is on hold at this time. Some of them may be made available when the timing seems right. Selected reproductions will continue to be produced as we, his family, wish to honor him, knowing that his memory will be kept alive as people continue to enjoy his artwork and recall their memories of Joe.
Though we feel an incredible void without him and will miss his expertise in so many areas, we are thankful for the time we were granted with him as husband, father, and friend. We are also thankful that since it was apparently his time to go, he went quickly and did not have to suffer.
We ask for your prayers for strength and peace for us in the days ahead and that if you have special memories of Joe, you share them with us.
"Joseph, we celebrate your 'joie de vivre', and look forward to seeing you in eternity." Love, Melody, Jesse, and Sarah
May God grant us all strength in our individual challenges.