Joe Altwer, a local coastsider, studied drawing and painting at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy. After many years of study and teaching in Florence and in Spain Joe and his wife, Aina Clotas, moved back to Half Moon Bay and opened up an art studio called Nuance Fine Art where they paint, teach weekly classes and show their paintings .

Joe's work is inspired by daily life and travels. 

“Most all of what I paint is done working from life or painted on location. I have found that working this way gives a bit more liveliness to my paintings and helps me to capture the ever changing moment.  I really enjoy painting random subject matter as well. One day it could be a picturesque tree on the edge of a cliff while another day a tape measure that I stumbled upon. While my subject matter is random, my painting approach is more thought out. Using large shapes to design the composition, colors to create an impression of light and adding and subtracting detail is what makes the painting come to life. I find the most interesting part of painting is the process itself”.

CLASSES & EVENTS
To see more of Joe's work and informations about classes please visit Nuancefineart.com 


Wood turnings by Joe Altwer


Joe has also started turning wood bowls, turned boxes and platters that all have a utilitarian use. Most all of the wood turned items are made from local wood such as Black Acacia, Cypress, Bay Laurel and Walnut to name a few. The bowls range in size from a 16'' salad bowl to a 3” snack bowl size. These utilitarian items have many uses around the kitchen and makes eating an even more enjoyable experience.


“ I find a lot of pleasure making things with my hands that can be used in daily life. 



To see more of Joe's wood turnings and process follow him on intagram joealtwer_woodturning