Joe McKay’s heart and imagination have been captivated by the mountains and canyons of the western frontier. His childhood family vacations out West ignited a lifelong passion for rugged landscapes across Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Montana. As an avid outdoorsman, Joe roams the backcountry in search of inspiration. His expressive, energetic, and balanced creations often emerge from preliminary work painted on location, with an animating interplay of light and shadow that distinguishes his finished paintings.

Joe approaches his art with fervor and perseverance. He has honed his skills by training with renowned landscape artists and studying extensively at the Art Students League of New York. His work has graced exhibitions from New York City to Santa Fe. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Joe is not only a combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War but also a former lawyer and an accomplished luthier—before painting claimed his soul.

Joe and his wife, Lori, share two wonderful sons who also harbor a passion for the outdoors. Originally from Arkansas, Joe has recently transitioned to a full-time art career in Declo, Idaho, where his creative spirit thrives.