Justus Iza October Joseph

Author | Artist

Bio

Justus Joseph is what happens if you mix Sailor Moon, Glenda the Good Witch, and Snow White together — if they all had a love affair with dark fantasy and horror and had terrible chronic illnesses. Originally from British Columbia, Canada where she grew up surrounded by forests, animals both wild and domestic, and a library of books.

Justus has called Canada, Japan, and the United States home. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband Gabe, her six dogs, two cats, and a rotating crew of foster animals.

When she’s not writing stories, she’s sculpting clay, drawing portraits of pets and people, training dogs, or wondering why she’s so tired.

You can find her upcoming stories and artwork at justusjoseph.com or at instragram.com/justusijoseph, but for the best updates, you’ll want to join her newsletter at https://justusjoseph.substack.com/

Artist Statement

We need whimsy and wonder in the world, but it’s that touch of darkness that makes it memorable. In darkness, we find moments that inspire awe but also bring the thrill of danger, the warning we shouldn’t be here and that all we know will change – for better or for worse – if we decide to stay.

My goal is to create whimsy-led narrative sculptures that explore solitude, loss, and the contraction that occurs within those spaces.