From an early age Joe loved to draw and paint, but he soon became fascinated by the sciences as well. His artistic talents took a back seat during his academic career. He studied physics and astronomy at the University of Minnesota, and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Michigan. In the midst of an active research career, Joe began to enter the Federal Duck Stamp contest as a way to exercise his artistic skills. His surprise victory in the 1991 contest provided the incentive he needed to return professionally to his first love. He now paints full-time and finds his art career as challenging and fulfilling as his science research. Joe again won the Federal contest for the 2002, 2008 and 2012 duck stamps, and recently became a five-time winner with his rendition of Trumpeter Swans which will be on the 2016-17 stamp.

Joe lives Plymouth, Minnesota. His work features a variety of North American animals as well as tigers and other wildlife. The well researched detail and accurate naturalistic settings in his paintings are a reflection of his scientific background, as well as his reverence for the wildlife and their habitat

See some of Joe's recent works and works in progress in his studio.

Contact Joe