Josiane Childers was born in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and grew up in upstate New York. She was driven to draw, paint and excel in learning from a young age. It was not until after receiving excellent training and encouragement from her high school art instructor, Nicholas Todisco, that she began to take art seriously. Josiane continued her education in fine art with inspirational teachers from Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Purchase College in Westchester County, New York. This included a semester abroad in Amsterdam at the Academie voor Beeldende Vorming. She now resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her artist husband, Justin West, their two sons, and three German Shepherds.
Justin West was born in Colorado, spent time in Germany as an infant with overseas parents, lived in upstate New York until age 11 and then finished growing up in Arizona. He has brought his many construction and mechanic experiences to his work as a metal artist. His obsession with old cars and trucks has evolved into working in painted steel sculptures. His sleek and striking sculptures range from landscape to abstract with the appearance of three-dimensional textures, even on flat surfaces.
Childers-West’s contemporary creations are truly original and extremely creative in color composition, design, style, and texture. The bright spacious sky and unique landscape of the desert southwest has an enlightening impact. They share an equal love for Arizona and the Southwest and enjoy traveling around it for inspiration.