Gandhi Joseph shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gandhi, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
I’m continually amazed and grateful that my audience finds such deep resonance in my work’s mystery. It’s a warm, reassuring surprise. Every time someone tells me what they discovered in a painting of mine, I feel a kind of kindred connection. It reminds me that art isn’t about handing over answers; it’s about sharing experiences. I’ve learned that when I allow ambiguity to flourish, my customers respond with incredible openness and emotion. That has been the most surprising and beautiful lesson knowing that by keeping my work enigmatic, I’m actually inviting others to find themselves in it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Gandhi Joseph, a Haitian artist and the creator behind GJ Palette, a body of work rooted in emotion, culture, and storytelling through color. My art carries a sense of mystery; I prefer not to explain it too much, allowing each viewer to interpret and connect with it in their own way. Every brushstroke is guided by intuition and rhythm rather than structure, creating a visual language that feels alive and evolving.
GJ Palette is more than a brand, it is a reflection of spirit, culture, and freedom of expression. My Haitian heritage influences the vibrancy and symbolism in my work, blending tradition with modern storytelling. What makes my art unique is the emotion and energy within each piece the way color, texture, and movement speak where words cannot.
I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting across Dallas, Austin, Washington D.C., and New Orleans, connecting with collectors and audiences who find pieces of their own story reflected in mine. As I continue to grow, I’m expanding into large-scale murals and new collections that explore transformation, rhythm, and human connection on a deeper level.
I believe art should make you feel before it makes you think.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My father saw me clearly before I could see myself. When I was seven, I drew a monument, and He quietly took it to show His friends around the neighbourhood proud in His own way. He was a strict man, not easily impressed, but that moment showed me He recognized something in me even then. Despite His discipline, He allowed me to spend time with the local artist down the street, who later became my mentor. That early encouragement shaped the path I’m on today and helped me understand that art was not just something I loved, it was something I was meant to do.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has been the fear of being misunderstood. As an artist, I’ve always expressed myself through imagery and emotion more than words, and there were times I worried that people wouldn’t truly see what I was trying to say through my art. That fear made me hesitant to share certain pieces or step fully into my purpose. But over time, I learned that mystery is part of my language, my art doesn’t need to be explained; it just needs to be felt. Once I embraced that, my confidence and creativity began to expand in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is respect, the heartbeat of Haitian culture. It’s woven into everything: how we greet one another, how we share food, how we create, and how we rise after struggle. Growing up Haitian taught me that strength is quiet but unshakable, and that art, like life, should always carry gratitude and reverence. No matter where I go or how far my work reaches, I hold onto that sense of grounding, the spirit of respect that reminds me who I am, where I come from, and why I create.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had ten years left, I would stop doubting myself. I’d stop questioning whether my art is enough or if I’m moving fast enough. Time has a way of making you realize that fear and hesitation steal more moments than failure ever could. I’d pour even more of myself into creating, traveling, loving, and living with intention, because art, family, and experience are the only things that truly outlast us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gjpalette.com
- Instagram: gj_palette
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gjart2019
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gjart2019
