“'Out of the Grid’ came from my fascination with the little, cheap Fiber Optic flashlights that they sell at the state fair to children,” Stone explains, “ I started playing with one several months ago and decided that I wanted to make something with Fiber Optics…”

Involved in art from a very young age, particularly graffiti and public mural painting, Stone began exploring other forms of artistic expression. “I have always loved the unbridled result of dripping paint. I started experimenting with string and hanging string. I eventually began doing several series where I would cut up something, reassemble it, and sew it back together – leaving the string to hang like drops of paint. This led me to the idea of using the Fiber Optic fiber as the chaotic, free- form string.”

“I was very happy with the result,” remarks Stone, “overall, I think this was a great learning experience, and I enjoy taking on new challenges with my artwork. I love to use new materials to come up with something that has never been done. I might be working on some future Fiber Optic projects – this time using powder-coated materials and with a higher level of complexity.”

Clearly, his artistic vision and saint-worthy patience laboring over 1,200 strands of Fiber Optic fiber, has paid off. (And, anyone who has ever worked with fiber optic fiber can really appreciate the persistence.) Stone was awarded the title as one of 2009’s New Dallas Nine Artists[i], and has earned the attention of D Magazine’s Front Burner, f.i.g, and Dallas art enthusiasts alike.

Joshua Stone creates commissioned works tailor-made for locations within homes and public spaces, working with both interior designers and directly with residential and commercial clients. Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Stone has spent well over a decade painting street graffiti and commissioned murals with other top artists of the genre in his youth. Since then, he has shown in New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, Tulsa and Dallas among other places.