Joel Ross, known artistically as JOEL BEAR, is a multidisciplinary creative whose work seamlessly weaves together visual art, music, film, and storytelling. With more than 12 years of experience across diverse creative disciplines, he has established himself as a dynamic force in both commercial and artistic realms—as a visual artist, creative director, film director, music producer, DJ, and photographer.
Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Joel continues to evolve his practice as a visual artist and DJ. His current work explores the powerful intersection of music, imagery, and narrative, creating immersive experiences that resonate across cultural and commercial landscapes.
Throughout his career, Joel has collaborated with some of the world’s most recognized brands and organizations. His music production credits include Coca-Cola, HP, and Riot Games. In art direction and production, he has contributed to UFC and JAXXON. As a photographer, his lens has captured campaigns and editorial for Tommy Hilfiger, American Express, Netflix, Lululemon, Champion, Airbnb, Timex, Fjällräven, Hershey, Starwood Hotels, The Gap, and many others.
His film work includes directing The People Vs and Deadwood, while his music direction credits feature the acclaimed project Apollo 11: What We Saw. Between 2019 and 2021, he served as creative director for a roster of musicians including JUJ, Nick Leng, Kennix, Judge, and Antoine Bradford. Earlier, from 2015 to 2019, he held the role of Marketing Director for MN3 in Los Angeles.
A formally trained photographer, Joel studied at the New York Institute of Photography from 2012 to 2014. His work has been widely recognized and featured in Hypebeast, LA Canvas, Mouthwash Magazine, Irk Magazine (Paris), National Geographic Blog, Designboom, Buzzfeed, Behance, Southwest Airlines Magazine, the book Great Wide Open, and Alpine Modern.
Through every medium he touches, Joel Bear brings a distinctive voice defined by emotional depth, visual sophistication, and a relentless creative curiosity.
