
ARTIST'S BIOGRAPHY Since Joel’s introduction to oil painting at age seven, he has become passionate about art. He worked during his pre-teen years with Efren Aldana who was a well-known Latino artist in the San Gabriel Valley. Joel attended El Monte High School in El Monte, California. He attended USC undergrad and medical school. Dr. Heger has been an interventional cardiologist in Pasadena spanning over twenty-five years. He has been a pioneer in the cardiology field and has been included yearly as a top doc in “America’s Top Doctor’s” listing. Joel is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at USC and has published 5 editions of his textbook on cardiology. Joel lives in South Pasadena, California with his wife Jen, and their two beloved bank robber dogs, Bonnie and Clyde. ART EDUCATION 1952-1955: Joel's introduction to art began with very informal sessions with Effrin Eldana. Eldana was a very accomplished and well known local artist in the San Gabriel Valley. He would meet as often as he could with mentor,Effrin Eldana. Eldana taught Joel using oils. 2003-Present: Began painting oil painting with Vic Riesau, a Signature Painter Master Sculptor with the California Art Club. Vic's sessions with Joel have been wide ranging from landscape, fundamentals of drawing, color, and values. Joel has also taken art classes Choinard Art School with world renowned artist and designer, Richard Shelton. His classes at Choinard exposed Joel to different methods of painting favored by Leondardo da Vinci, and Rembrandt. Fascinated by Impressionism, Joel has taken classes from Jove Wong, also a Master Painter with the California Art Club. Jove's emphasis is on Impressionist portrait painting. Joel has studied in the Loire Valley in France with John Cosby and Kevin McPherson. He is presently studying with master painter Shu Quao Zhou, Guanzhou Art Institute, China. Joel's last trip to the Canadian Rockies was with the En Plein Air Masters and was again tutored by John Cosby. Other mentors on the trip included Kevin MacPherson, Joan Arnett, Gil Dillinger, and Ken Backhaus. PAINTING AWARDS INCLUDE: 1. Second Place - Paint America Top 100 Contest-2007; State of Colorado - “Telluride” 2. Second Place - Paint America Top 50-Mini’s-2007; State of California - “Cambria” 3. Second Place - PaintAmerica Top50-Mini’s-2007-State of New Mexico - “Cowboy Hal” 4. First Place - San Gabriel Valley Art Association-Spring Show-2008-Seascapes - “Sunset on Beach at Cambria” 5. Third Place - San Gabriel Valley Art Association-Spring Show-2008-Animals - “Bonnie” 6. Third Place - San Gabriel Valley Art Association Spring Show-2008-Still Life -“Apples and Oranges” 7. 2nd place - Natiional Parks - PaintAmerica contest 2008 - painting was "Snow Cliffs" - 18'x 24"
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