JOSEPH FROST was born in Czechoslovakia in 1953. From an early age he displayed a natural talent for drawing and was encouraged by his parents, particularly his father who was a highly skilled artisan.   Although Joseph experimented with different techniques whilst at school, mainly pencil, pastels and watercolours, he was not particularly interested in formal studies. Even today he still holds to this idea. "My basic philosophy is that an artist should possess an innate ability which requires a minimum of formal training, " Joseph maintains.   In 1973 he left Czechoslovakia, spending a year in Italy while waiting to emigrate to Australia. Whilst there he spent time visiting museums and art galleries in Venice, Milan and Rome. It was during this period that Joseph was inspired to experiment with oil painting. He realised that "a quality painting should have an everlasting sense of magic associated with it".
	Because of lack of funds, he even used old bedsheets as canvasses! A number of these paintings were bought by the Slovak Catholic Institute near Rome, and the director at that time, Fr. Nahalka, encouraged Joseph to continue his art when he arrived in Australia.   Joseph settled in Sydney from 1974-1980. His major employment was working for an art gallery in North Sydney, where he learned framing and restoration, and his spare time was concentrated on painting. Sydney Harbour provided the vehicle for Joseph to take up art as a full time career. "The constant movement of ships, ferries, people," he says, "the magnificent foreshore, where every bay reveals something different - this is what puts life into a painting when it is captured."   He quickly established himself in the forefront of realist painters, concentrating on marine and harbour paintings and etchings. By 1980 Joseph felt a need for a change in direction and moved to Numeralla (near Cooma) in the Southern Alps. It was here he developed his love for landscapes - a far cry from the bustle of the city. "It was the peace and serenity that now appealed to me," Joseph said, "nature was to be my mentor now."
	The softness of the early morning and late afternoon light provided him with the inspiration to bring out the natural beauty of Australian landscape. The "contre de jour" (against the light) technique, combined with excellent fine brushwork, the subtle shades of colour and an incredible eye for detail have become Joseph's trademark.   He now lives in the Southern Highlands of NSW, near the town of Bowral, and has taken up golf as a hobby. Even this has turned to work as he has now painted a number of well known golf courses.
	Joseph describes himself as a "romantic realist", and is regarded as one of Australia's leading painters of this style. Artistically he is at ease with many mediums - watercolour, gouache, oil. Every now and then, he produces a series of etchings, producing the finest and most meticulous detail. No matter which medium he uses, he feels that he is able to bring out what he describes as "a natural attraction which immediately brings the viewer a sense of love for the work". Joseph's work continues to be sought by private and corporate clients and he is represented in government, business and private collections throughout Australia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, Tahiti, UK and USA.
	E x h i b i t i o n s Seascape Galleries, Sydney - 1976, 1977, 1978 Prouds Gallery, Sydney - 1978, 1979 Barry Stern Gallery, Sydney - 1980, 1981, 1982 Elder Fine Art Galleries, Adelaide - 1982, 1984 Gould Gallery, Melbourne - 1983, 1985 Noelda Arnold Gallery, Perth - 1986 Boronia Gallery, Sydney - 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 Gallery API, Moorea, Tahiti - 1989 Artique Fine Art Galleries, Sydney - 1990 The Bell Gallery, Berrima - 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 McKenzie Art Gallery, Perth - 1994, 1996 Noella Byrne Gallery, Sydney - 1997
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