Justin B. Moodie, M.A., M.Ed., N.B.C.T

Raised in San Diego, CA, Justin spent much of his young life awkwardly attempting to avoid the world of art. Rather, much of his developmental years were spent playing hockey and studying a range of scientific fields. Attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, with the original intention of studying Marine Biology, things quickly changed and Justin's natural inclination for all things creative quickly caught up with him.

After three years, Justin received a BA in Art Studio (2004), soon followed by a Masters degree in Education (2006). In June of 2005, Justin received his teaching credentials from the state of California and has been teaching secondary level Art, Science, Technology and Literacy ever since. During the summer of 2011, Justin was sent to China to collaborate with local educators in the development of cross-cultural curricula through a Fullbright-Hays fellowship. In 2013, Justin earned the honor of being recognized as a National Board Certified Teacher while teaching as an expat in Ciudad de México D.F. In 2017, Justin earned his Administrative Services credential and completed an M.A. in Educational Leadership at UC Berkeley, with a focus on Social Justice. Serving with the CA Department of Education, Justin worked to create the new state standards for Visual and Performing Arts, published in 2019. Justin was awarded a Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship by the National Geographic Society and joined Lindblad Expeditions on an excursion to explore Antarctica in February 2023!

Justin's photographic work is largely founded upon his insatiable desire to explore every inch of the globe. Traveling tends to dictate the direction that his lens is pointing, and while there are few themes that connect all of his imagery, very few of his photographs are shot in his hometown. Looking at his portfolio, one is not only presented with a window to the world, but also a chronicling of destinations through which Justin has trekked.

Having explored a wide variety of artistic mediums, a select few have combined to create the feel of Justin's current painterly style. Drawing upon the layered characteristics of printmaking, and combining these with the processes of photography, digital manipulation, and acrylic painting, his work has resulted in a series of images of semi-abstracted fleeting moments. Often describing his work as something of an "organic pixelation," Justin is quick to point out how easily one is able to identify the subject matter of his paintings. Even without subtle details, a grouping of mere contrasting values is enough to cause a viewer to recognize familiar faces.

Drawing mostly upon experiences from his own life, Justin has found inspiration in his travels around the world, the people around him, and his own personal musings. The subjects of romance and reflection, education and war, personal friends and places he's been have all appeared at the center of his work. Of late, Justin's paintings have largely been focused on the portraits of individuals in his life, yet, he has developed a method of working that can be adapted to almost any subject matter. His work can currently be seen showing around California in various venues and private collections. 

Justin currently lives with his family in San Diego, CA.

Feel free to contact Justin with any questions about his work or with print and commission requests.

Portrait Photo Credit: Conrad Young @conradfilm