Joe earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an advertising/illustration emphasis from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles in 1970. He worked as an illustrator and graphic designer for 13 years, during which time he spent his free hours honing his watercolor painting skills. Since 1983, Joe has painted full-time, leaving the commercial work behind. He generally portrays his subjects in a tight, yet delicate center of interest, complemented by a loose, interpretive background. In recent years Joe's direction has included more complicated, controlled compositions. He also has expanded his choice of media to oil, painting on location and in the studio. His original paintings may be found in private collections throughout the United States and Canada.