Joe A. Oakes
Artist Bio
Joe A. Oakes was a curious and observant child who started drawing at the age of five. He has been painting full-time since 2008 and like other artists, previously worked at other things including substitute teacher, art consultant, and graphic designer. Oakes has survived cancer and the loss of a child and has used these life-changing events to propel his art career forward. His landscapes burn with the excitement of bold, bright colors and draw on scenes from all over the U.S. but especially the Southwest and the state of California. Oakes’ work offers a new perspective on color and place while offering a meditative sense of calm, happiness, and reverence for the land. He holds a BFA from California State University, Fullerton, and among his awards are the Distinguished Artist Award from the City of La Quinta, CA in 2011 and a First Place Award for his work in the “Visions” Exhibition at Chaffey Community Museum of Art in Ontario, CA in 2019. Oakes resides near Riverside in Southern California.