Meet Joshua Gridley | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Gridley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
During the pandemic, I was at the lowest point of my life. I was working at Insomniac Games on projects that most people would dream of, but I wasn’t feeling creatively fulfilled. I had largely stopped creating art, aside from occasional sketchbook doodles. My creative time was mostly spent 3D animating. I didn’t even consider myself an artist. In fact, I thought calling myself an artist would be egotistical.
One day, my brother’s wife gave me The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I immediately judged the book but decided to read a few chapters. My biggest takeaways were:
• Converse with the Universe (or whatever creative force you believe in).
• Journal daily.
• Go on a weekly artist date – a solo outing to do something enjoyable and inspiring.
This all seemed simple, so I gave it a shot. Then something profound happened. One night, I was awoken by a voice as clear as day: “Why are you not creating art?” I bolted upright, looking around my apartment. But it was just me and my cat.
I sat there, unable to sleep, pondering the question. I realized I wasn’t creating because I was constantly comparing myself to others. I didn’t feel like I measured up to “real artists.” Then, the voice spoke again: “Create art left-handed.”
This seemed bizarre. I’m right-handed and can barely write with my left hand. But it intrigued me. The next morning, I bought a small watercolor sketchbook and began painting stream-of-consciousness abstracts with my left hand. Over the following year, I did this every night. It opened my creativity in ways I never imagined. This exercise changed everything.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a former animator turned painter, creating vibrant, imaginative landscapes that invite wonder, reflection, and reconnection. For 17 years, I worked in the film and video game industries—collaborating with studios like Disney, Marvel, Sony, and Paramount—helping bring other people’s visions to life while feeling increasingly disconnected from my own creative voice.

The path wasn’t easy. I pushed myself relentlessly, often sitting in on three or more extra classes per quarter in college to grow faster. My break came through an internship at Sony Pictures Imageworks, which led to an apprenticeship at Disney Animation. Along the way, I was fortunate to be mentored by artists who shaped me not just as a professional, but as a person.

Despite those achievements, I reached a point where I knew I needed to return to something more personal and meaningful. I left the entertainment industry to create art that encourages people to slow down, reconnect with nature, and rediscover their own creative spark. My paintings are a celebration of Love, Light, and Creativity—offering a glimpse of the sacred in the everyday and an invitation to explore the magic that’s always around us. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the most important stories are often the ones we finally allow ourselves to tell. Also, we are all creatives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want to show them the magic of the Arizona desert—the contrast of quiet beauty, wild nature, and vibrant local culture.

We’d start at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. It’s the perfect introduction to the desert’s incredible biodiversity, and the trails are beautifully curated to give a sense of the landscape without having to travel far. Then we’d grab lunch at Four Peaks Brewery—it’s a local favorite with solid food and great beer, perfect for unwinding after a morning in the sun.

For hiking, one of my all-time favorite spots is the Dixie Mine Trail in the McDowell Mountains. I’ve loved this trail since childhood—it’s scenic, peaceful, and leads to some fascinating old mining history. Another day we’d pack a cooler and spend time by the Salt River—floating, people-watching, maybe even spotting wild horses. It’s a classic Arizona summer experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God. I wouldn’t be here or creating had he not come to me and inspired me to embrace art.

Website: https://www.joshatorium.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshatorium/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-gridley-7331784/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.gridley.2025/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz3RXaeuv-Fw4MNSy4YnWmA/videos

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3284475/