Timothy M. Joe

Timothy Michael Joe is an American self-taught, representational artist from the rural southern town of Greensboro, Alabama. His love of art started at the age of 4 when he began coloring on paper bags from the grocery store. Art instructors were not available in his small town, so Timothy learned to paint by watching The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross on Alabama Public Television. Timothy creates art based on themes associated with southern, rural culture concerning God, family, and heritage. As a mechanical engineer, his artwork is a deviation from the scientific realm of his professional life. Timothy enjoys using his art to educate, uplift, and encourage and sees art as his ministry; seeing beauty in common places and capturing the scene. Timothy believes “Creating a beautiful painting is nice, but painting the same scene with an understanding of the history is what I am after.” He believes the backstory of his subject is just as important as the colors he chooses to paint. He feels that his paintings are like dropping an anchor in time, a reminder of a past event. The 6 pieces of art on display represent a few anchors in the artist’s life.

This exhibition is made possible by a grant from SouthArts and the National Endowment for the Arts, and with support from Alabama State Council on the Arts and Huntsville Hospital Foundation.