Growing up in rural Utah, Joe Watkins has always been fascinated by the mountains, deserts and wildlife of the American west. After a career as an illustrator and photographer in the U.S. Air Force, Joe decided to pursue his dream and become a full-time wildlife artist.
His work has been purchased and sold through the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer Foundation, The American Paint Horse Foundation and Ducks Unlimited.
Joe has been featured in several publications, including Artists of the West, Wildlife Artists of the World, Southwest Art and the 2024 and 2025 editions of Artists for Conservation. He is a Signature Member of both the International Society of Scratchboard Artists and Artists for Conservation. His current gallery representation includes: Going to the Sun Art Gallery in Whitefish Montana; Western Skies Fine Art in Afton in Wyoming; Two Old Crows Gallery in Pagosa Springs, Colorado; The Turquoise Tortoise Gallery in Tubac, Arizona; and Rimrock Art Gallery in Billings, Montana.
Joe and his wife Virginia follow the climate with residences in Star Valley, Wyoming and Green Valley, Arizona.
