Joseph B. Nordmann was born in Decatur, Illinois in 1922 moving later with his parents to Ohio. He attended Bowling Green State University, obtaining a B. S. degree in chemistry. Following this, he obtained a masters degree in organic chemistry from the University of Southern California. Since 1943, California has been his home. He owned and operated the first environmental analytical laboratories in California, in Van Nuys. During WW ll, he was employed as a chemist in defense related jobs. He began oil painting as a hobby in 1949 with private lessons from California impressionist painter Paul Conner. Later, he studied with the renowned artist Nicolai Fechin and still later with Charles Movalli, Edward N. Ward and Van Waldron. After retiring from chemistry teaching in 1978, he became a full time artist. In 1984 he moved to the Monterey Peninsula where he continues his painting career. He is particularly noted for his impressionistic rendering of buildings. He has had one man exhibitions at the Carmel Art Association where he is an artist member.