From the Flower portfolio, 1/3, 2015-2020, Inkjet prints, 16 x 20 inches, $950 each (framed)

Joseph Muir has a generational relationship with photography. Joe’s Father, Thomas F Muir was a professional photographer in New York City and Goshen Indiana. He taught Joe about photography and darkroom art and technique. Joe’s mother Bonnie Yoder and her identical  twin sister Betty Yoder lived in Greenwich Village in the 1940’s where they were part of the arts and literary community of the day including Berenice Abbott , Patricia High-smith, Margot Tomes, Leonard Bernstein to name a few. Bonnie's personal photos include their visits to Fire Island. The petite blonde twins were quite a force of nature, sharp and witty, Bonnie was inclined to marry and have children, Betty however preferred the company of women, even though in order exist in society she married and took the name Betty Tee Main she became the life partner of Margot Tomes.It was there Joe’s father and mother met and were engaged. They moved to Goshen Indiana to raise their family.

Joe was recommended as a printer by Betty when he was in his 20’s, he drove from Indiana to remote Monson Maine to meet her. To test his skills she sent him to the darkroom to print New York at Night. He brought the print to her at dinnertime and she was momentarily speechless.He printed for her for a year and a half before the isolation became too much and he left to pursue a successful music career, notably touring with Maine’s master folk songwriter and musician, David Mallett. While working for Abbott, Joe was exposed to and inspired by many photographers, influencing his own photography and artwork. He came to realize that one could make a living printing photographs!

Once he settled down in Portland in the late1970’s he opened his own business, The Black and White Image on Elm Street near the Public Library When the public market moved the business to forest avenue in the late 9o’s.He specialized in professional and fine art printing and photo restoration. Called a “master printer” by many he produced every image with relentless inventive skill regardless of who he printed for. He printed exhibition photographs for Todd Webb, George Daniell, Harold Feinstein, Judy Glickman Lauder, Jack Montgomery and many more.

In all ways an artist, he continually developed his own unique vision. His mastery in the darkroom, experience in airbrush, watercolor, oils, hand coloring and retouching photographs have informed his and inspired his extravagant artistry in the digital realm. His work is represented in galleries, private collections, the New York Public Library and the Jewish Museum NYC. - Jan Pieter van Voorst van Beest