{"id":7148,"date":"2022-01-05T07:16:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-05T07:16:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/?p=7148"},"modified":"2025-09-22T02:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T07:02:10","slug":"joseph-alexander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/2022\/01\/05\/joseph-alexander\/","title":{"rendered":"Joseph Alexander"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/freerangeexchange\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-7218\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/freerangeex_SupAd_1021.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/freerangeex_SupAd_1021.jpg 400w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/freerangeex_SupAd_1021-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/freerangeex_SupAd_1021-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a>SO JOSEPH, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR WORK OR BUSINESS?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I am an artist. In addition to my own work, I own and run an art school in Rochester, <span style=\"color: #008080; font-size: 14pt;\"><a style=\"color: #008080;\" href=\"https:\/\/artacademystudios.com\/location\/driftless\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Driftless Art Academy<\/strong><\/a><\/span>, which just opened in 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career with your business.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Definitely opening Driftless Art Academy and taking on my own students. There was a real need for an art school with a comprehensive instruction program, and being able to provide that is richly fulfilling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Tell us about a recent project or problem that you made better, faster, smarter, more efficient, or less expensive.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7276\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7276\" style=\"width: 380px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7276\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/1-Joseph-Alexander_JAS_0014-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"380\" height=\"254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/1-Joseph-Alexander_JAS_0014-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/1-Joseph-Alexander_JAS_0014-465x310.jpeg 465w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/1-Joseph-Alexander_JAS_0014.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7276\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo &#8211; Joseph Alexander<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">My experience has been that quality and efficiency are the product of knowledge and experience. Art is a great example of this. Many people approach art thinking that they can teach themselves how to paint or draw. And to a point, they may be able to do that. But the knowledge and skill that leads to real accomplishment, and work that knocks your socks off, comes from knowing what you are doing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Tell us about one person that you&#8217;ve met, that stands apart from the rest, or has influenced you while here in the Driftless.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">There are many great artists living in the Driftless, and I would encourage everyone to get out and find them. We have outstanding museums, galleries, and art communities here, and the arts are playing an increasingly strong role in local culture. Join the art community and be a part of what is happening!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What do you wish other people knew about you or your business?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Don&#8217;t let a belief that you need some sort of inborn talent stop you from becoming an artist. There really is no such thing. What we perceive as talent is the product of knowledge, experience, and perseverance. I can teach you the knowledge and technical skills, and I can provide you with plenty of opportunity for experience. Perseverance is the part you need to bring with you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">LET\u2019S LEARN MORE ABOUT JOSEPH<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>So, what\u2019s your story? What keeps you here in the Driftless?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7280\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7280\" style=\"width: 380px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7280\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Morning-Zen-300x227.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"380\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Morning-Zen-300x227.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Morning-Zen-465x353.jpeg 465w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Morning-Zen.jpeg 633w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7280\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Morning-Zen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I&#8217;m a north-coaster since the beginning. I&#8217;ve lived in the Driftless most of the last 20 years, both in Wisconsin and in Minnesota. The people and the landscape here are amazing. If you are in the mood for lakes, we have them. Rivers? Plenty. Big hills? Got &#8217;em. Woods? No prob. Plains? Plentiful. I love the parks and other public lands, and the rolling farmlands. Every town has its own personality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>How would you describe yourself?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I am a multipotentiate who has been fortunate to experience a great many things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What is your biggest accomplishment?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">What do you mean by biggest? Largest? I built a cabin once. Hardest? I ran the Leadville Trail Race&#8230; twice. Most significant? I paint portraits that should last hundreds of years. Most meaningful? Definitely my family. Proudest? Opening Driftless Art Academy in Rochester.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Have you read any good books?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I always have a stack of books going. I&#8217;ve been on a B. A. Shapiro kick recently; a writer of art-related stories. I recently finished The Go-Giver, which is about giving more than is expected in business. I am currently reading a classic Japanese historical fiction book called Musashi, Cixin Liu&#8217;s The Three-Body Problem, and a biography called A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell. If I was going to make a gift to every person of one book, it would be James Clear&#8217;s Atomic Habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Who is your personal hero?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">My personal hero is my husband, who puts up with so much and still zooms in every time to save me from whatever cliff I am about to fall off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Do you have a life philosophy that you live by?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7281\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7281\" style=\"width: 380px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7281\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Rhapsody-222x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"380\" height=\"513\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Rhapsody-222x300.jpeg 222w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Rhapsody-407x550.jpeg 407w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Rhapsody-370x500.jpeg 370w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_Rhapsody.jpeg 474w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7281\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rhapsody<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Yes, and it is this: It does not matter who or what is to blame for things about myself that I would like to be different. It doesn&#8217;t matter that I have special circumstances, or that there are particular events that contribute to my challenges. There is only one person who can make the changes that must happen if I am to become the person I wish to be, and that person is me. Blaming someone else will never help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What do you like most about yourself?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">My constant need to improve myself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>If you could change the world, what would you change?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Give everyone the gift of tolerance and acceptance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What do you think is the meaning of life?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I have so many smartass answers to this question. But the meaning of life is lifting up others in our families and communities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Do you prefer working alone, or do you like working with others?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I love being a part of a community of artists, and being in my studio with other artists working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What is your deepest belief about life? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Community is everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>If you could be doing anything, anywhere right now, what and where would it be?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Painting in my studio, which is where I was before I started on these questions, and where I will be soon after I finish them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What\u2019s the one thing you wish you could have a do-over for?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7282\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7282\" style=\"width: 380px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7282\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_Ms-Peggy-Durant-220x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"380\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_Ms-Peggy-Durant-220x300.jpeg 220w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_Ms-Peggy-Durant-404x550.jpeg 404w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_Ms-Peggy-Durant-367x500.jpeg 367w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_Ms-Peggy-Durant.jpeg 470w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7282\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ms Peggy Durant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I would avoid borrowing money or acquiring burdensome possessions. These are the things that will stand in the way of the things anyone wishes to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>How do you work on yourself?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I have been practicing Zen Buddhism for about 20 years. Zen gives me the space within myself to let the pieces fall into place, and to see the things that I should work on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What\u2019s one thing you\u2019ve had to overcome in your life?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I have lost about 250 pounds by adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>How do you handle being in a bad mood?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The best for me is to stop what I am doing and think about who I am, and who I wish to be. Why am I in a bad mood? Often I just need to eat something!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Who is the most important person in your life? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Most important: me! Without me, I wouldn&#8217;t be here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What did you learn about yourself from any of your previous relationships?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Probably that I am not the perfect half that I thought I would be, when I was younger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What is your favorite type of music,&nbsp; song, or song you think a person should listen to at least once?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">There aren&#8217;t many types of music that I don&#8217;t enjoy. I am a fan of coffee-house indy and folk, but also like a lot of pop, global, and ethnic music. I think one important composer to listen to now is Max Richter&#8212;nearly everyone will recognize some of his music from movies and television. He is composing some massively inspiring work right now. Listen to his album Voices, and if you enjoy classical, his awesome recomposed version of Vivaldi&#8217;s The Four Seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>If you weren&#8217;t here running your business or doing the work you do, what would you be doing instead?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Probably working in the parks as a naturalist. I did that as a side job for several years and really loved it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>How has this pandemic affected YOU or YOUR BUSINESS here in the Driftless?&nbsp;<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I opened my business in the middle of the pandemic, which anyone could argue was not the smartest decision. But so far, the business is doing well. I think that the pandemic has led many people to refocus on themselves, and to expanding their interests or skill sets. Nothing like an art school to help with that!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What is another name you would give the Driftless?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7283\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7283\" style=\"width: 380px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7283\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_IMG_0506-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"380\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_IMG_0506-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_IMG_0506-465x349.jpeg 465w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_IMG_0506.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7283\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo &#8211; Joseph Alexander<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">My father-in-law, the geology professor, would argue that this really is not a driftless area, and we should call it the Paleozoic Plateau. Somehow that doesn&#8217;t roll off the tongue quite as well as Driftless.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Favorite season in the Driftless &amp; why?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Fall, no question. It is the time of the harvest, color, and our desperate clinging to the life of summer while we relish the cooler temperatures, the smell of leaves, and nice-looking sweaters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Tell us of an experience \/memory you had with Driftless lakes, rivers or waterways?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I was a naturalist at Forestville\/Mystery Cave State Park. What I loved most about that job was doing programs that led people along the rivers to find hidden waterfalls and springs, and helped them learn about the magic of our landscape&#8217;s water systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Is there any place in the world you have been that reminds you of, or is similar to the Driftless.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The rolling hills and low mountains of the east coast are quite similar to Driftless topography, though technically our hills are river valleys. Like the Driftless, some areas out east have fascinating little towns tucked away, each with its own personality and secrets to discover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What is your best childhood memory?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">As I child I would spend all day exploring in the mountains of Vermont, discovering new things, seeing wildlife, and often never seeing another person. That was magical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What are some of your favorite places to go for fun here in the Driftless?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">It&#8217;s hard to beat my studio, but to get away from it all I like to head out to the state parks, particularly Whitewater, Forestville, and the incredible John Latsch State Park outside Winona. I also take a lot of joy from going to the small towns in our area like Lanesboro and Red Wing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Favorite places to eat here in the Driftless?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Number one is Old Abe&#8217;s in Rochester, which may be the only purely vegan restaurant in southeastern Minnesota. I can go there and relax about the food. Forager is a great restaurant and microbrewery. We have a nice burger place in Rochester called Hot Chip which has a broad vegan menu, including vegan shakes, and the food there is delicious.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>If you were to tell a friend to come and visit the Driftless Area, and they ask &#8220;Why&#8221; &#8230; What would you tell them?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7279\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7279\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-7279\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_MWPGM-Tom-Jackson-204x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_MWPGM-Tom-Jackson-204x300.jpeg 204w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_MWPGM-Tom-Jackson-375x550.jpeg 375w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_MWPGM-Tom-Jackson-341x500.jpeg 341w, https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Joseph-Alexander_email-logo_MWPGM-Tom-Jackson.jpeg 436w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7279\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tom Jackson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The Driftless is on the verge of a forward push, culturally. We have diversity of population, education, and people of conscience, and the arts are going to explode here. There aren&#8217;t many places that have the variety of landscape, seasons, and outdoor activities we do. At the same time, there is less urban pressure in our area. Things move a little slower.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Cat or Dog person? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Dog<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Early Bird or Late Owl? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Late Owl<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>If given the opportunity, would you go to outer space? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">No<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What color socks are you currently wearing? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Green<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What skill or instrument would you like to learn or play? &#8211; <\/b>O<\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">boe<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What 1 message would you put in a bottle? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Be gentle<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What was your very first job? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Taking care of insect collections (really).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b data-wp-editing=\"1\">If any, what would be your dream job? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">I&#8217;m doing it already.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>How \/ where did you meet your best friend?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">We met online, on an old blogging site called LiveJournal. Later, we met in a hot tub.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>What does your dream vacation look like? <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">A month or two in Europe, taking our time to visit great art.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Tell us a short joke or punchline. &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Midvale. If you know, you know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>If you could learn another language, what would that be? &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Japanese<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>I Would Rather &#8230; &#8211; <\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Live in a tree house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/artacademystudios.com\/location\/driftless\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4433 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/visit_website_button2.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"48\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SO JOSEPH, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR WORK OR BUSINESS? I am an artist. In addition to my own work, I own and run an art school in Rochester, Driftless Art Academy, which just opened in 2021. &nbsp; Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be<span class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/driftlessareamag.com\/unicdn\/2022\/01\/05\/joseph-alexander\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_expiration-date-status":"","_expiration-date":1758524471,"_expiration-date-type":"draft","_expiration-date-categories":[131],"_expiration-date-options":[]},"categories":[40,89,33],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v18.4.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Joseph Alexander Driftless Area Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Joseph Alexander Driftless Area Magazine\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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