Masterpiece: Joe Average

by Miles Patrick Yohnke
(Canada)

"In our lives we can be blessed to come across people that will make a remarkable impact upon us and empower us to strive further for ourselves. Joe Average is one of those people who have done so for me."
- Miles Patrick Yohnke

Some paintings of Joe Average

MASTERPIECE: JOE AVERAGE

He tap dances in the darkness,
Of the womb of his mother,
Dodging coat hangers,
Drunk on gin.
He is a survivor.
He is a survivor from the start.

He is a prize fighter to the end.

Bonded by muscle,
Bonded by power,
Bonded by passion,
Bonded by desire,
Bonded by love,
For he knows no bounds.

For he is a survivor.
For he is a world-class prize fighter.

He is a painter,
He is of paints.
His colours,
So glorious,
So vivid,
So remarkable,
So unmistakable.

For his work,
For his life,
No one should forget.

No excuses,
No assistance,
No government bailouts,
For his life,
For his art.
For he is self-sufficient.
For he is a world-class artist.

'83, HIV, he is one of its longest survivors.
He is the ultimate prize-fighter.

The struggle of his disease,
The disease that claws at him.
But he has staying power,
He is a world-class fighter,
The ultimate world-class prize fighter.

A passion for living,
A passion for caring,
A passion for humanity,
A passion for us all to be one.
A passion for unequalled detail.

He is loaded with care as his canvas shows,
For he is a masterpiece.


By Miles Patrick Yohnke
© 2010 All Rights Reserved.

Joe Average



About Joe Average
JOE AVERAGE R.C.A . Born in Victoria, British Columbia 1957, Joe began signing his artwork Joe Average when he was 19. His pop-art has captured the attention of international art critics, royalty, celebrities, and the public. His work is a visionary kaleidoscope of colour, creativity and compassion. Living with HIV for the past 29 years, the self-taught Joe Average has earned international recognition as an advocate for HIV/AIDS, an artist, and a noted philanthropist.

His work can be seen on a 1996 Canadian Stamp which was also the conference image for the 1996 XI International Conference on AIDS. In 1998 Joe was recognized by the Governor General of Canada with the Caring Canadian Award. The City of Vancouver has bestowed him with a Civic Merit Award in 1994. He was the recipient of a 1993 Jessie Award, and has been officially presented to Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana at Rideau Hall. The Canadian Institute of the Arts for Young Audiences presented Joe with the Arts For Young Audiences Award in 1997 which honored his outstanding contribution in the field of arts for young people. Xtra West Magazine presented Joe with a Heroes of 1996 Award for outstanding community achievement, and on his 40th birthday the Friends for Life Society honored him with the Friend In Deed Award presented to him by his friend, her excellency Gerda Hnatyshyn.

For more on Joe Average follow this link: http://www.joeaverage.ca




About the Author
Globally recognized and award-nominated engineer, producer, writer, poet and founder and C.E.O. of 5 Star Productions, Miles Patrick Yohnke brings many years of experience to the music industry; including many awards in sales and marketing. If you are looking at developing your career, Yohnke offers consulting in person, by phone or via email. For more info, please contact him directly at: 306.227.6379 or email at: miles(at)5-starproductions.com.