As a child Joseph's pencil sketches of American Presidents decorated the corridor walls of Roosevelt Elementary, in Mission ,Texas. As a High School freshman, he was a commercial art illustrator for a local jewelry store and as a junior his first sculpture art piece (titled “Sonya”) was bought by the Dean of the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas (Sonya is also his daughters first name).
However, becoming a professional artist took a little longer than anticipated. Joseph spent six years in the U.S. Air Force and plunged into a Real Estate career in 1975. By the beginning of 1986, Joseph was owner Broker of two successful Century 21 Real Estate Agencies in San Antonio, Texas. In March of the same year, Joseph experienced a spiritual conversion and accepted Jesus Christ into his life. Very soon thereafter, he realized a void in his heart could not be fulfilled by the corporate world. In 1988, he returned to the Rio Grande Valley where he renewed his quest to develop his artistic passion.
Joseph had spent the last 33 years in the field of art, and was a self-taught artist. Joseph did illustration and commercial art for the first few years then began his transition into the fine arts. He painted original pieces, developed his own prints and started a "Joseph" exclusive line of note cards, post cards and souvenir gifts. He sold his art at rodeo stock shows, art festivals and from retail stores including 21 Wal-Mart's in three Texas districts, as an independent vendor. Following, Joseph produced Giclees on canvas and embellished them individually when asked, to create a more personal feel. He was a member of the Paseo del Rio Association which does nine shows per year on the San Antonio downtown Riverwalk.
Joseph had many one man shows at the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in Edinburg, Texas and Mexican Culture Center in McAllen, Texas . He also exhibited at the Moore Museum in Donna, Texas and at several retail store outlets which carried his art.
Joseph's faith had been the inspiration in his drive towards achieving his childhood dream. He refined his natural gift of art by mastering the tools he utilized to excellent precision. Joseph's ultimate objective was to entice a viewer into the fantasy of entering a painting. When accomplished he counted that piece a successful work of art.
Joseph gave all the glory to the Lord. Art was the vessel used to talk about Jesus to others. Joseph was a proud man of his work and humble to the Lord.
It is my honor to continue to share his legacy with others the best way I can. This man was my heart and I worked with him over half my life helping and watching him grow in his journey. I miss you dad.-Sonya Danielle Hernandez