About the Artist
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Artist ProfileI have always been inspired by the beauty and wonders of nature. Beginning with pencil drawings as a child, my love for nature expressed as art unfolded. I took my first watercolor class in 1986, and continue to enjoy the versatility of this medium. The way light strikes an object, the pattern of cast shadows, and reflected light make a subject intriguing. The transparency of watercolor allows me to express these subtleties in a painting. I earned a BS and an MS in biology at Emporia State University, and taught biology for many years. Working as a park ranger naturalist in Yellowstone during the summers gave me the opportunity to study nature intimately firsthand. I have exhibited in national shows and received many awards. In 2013 I was an Artist in Residence in Rocky Mountain National Park where I studied the work of early landscape painters of the park such as Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and Birger Sandzen. In 2009 I visited the Serengeti of Tanzania, Africa. My wildlife paintings inspired by this visit have been exhibited at several galleries and arts centers, and most recently at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming. My love for the natural world has led me to make conservation the focus of my work.
Education2006-2022-workshops with various watercolor and wildlife painters including Robert Bateman, Rod Lawrence, Aaron Blaise and Suzie Seerey-Lester 1990-K-12 Art Endorsement, Eastern Wyoming College, Torrington, WY 1970- Master of Science in Biology, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 1968-Bachelor of Science in Biology, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS
Employment1989-2002 Torrington High School science teacher 1990-2002 Ranger Naturalist, Yellowstone National Park
Selected AwardsWyoming Game and Fish Conservation Stamp, Honorable Mention 2022, 2012 Richeson International Landscape Competition, Honorable Mention 2021 Wyoming Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition Purchase Award 2016, 2012, 2006 Susan K Black small paintings show, First Place Watercolor, 2022 Western Spirit Show, Best Watercolor 2015 Wyoming Watercolor Society, Best of Show 2010, 2007 Wyoming Watercolor Society, Best Wyoming Artist 2019,2012, 2008, 2007 Massachusetts Archery Stamp, 2006, 2007 Hawaii Conservation Stamp 2004, 2005 West Virginia Wildlife Calendar, 2006
Selected ExhibitionsWyoming Governor’s Show, Cheyenne, WY 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012 Western Spirit Show, Cheyenne, WY, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008 Open Water, Canadian Painters in Watercolor, Ontario, Canada, 2020 Red River Watercolor Society, Moorhead, MN, 2019, 2016 Northeast Watercolor Society, Kent, CT, 2019 (Signature Member) Wyoming Watercolor Society, Sheridan, WY 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016,2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009,2008, 2007 Nicolaysen Art Museum Gala, Casper, WY 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Wyoming Wilderness Association Traveling Show, Moose, WY 2014 Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Show, Golden, CO 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007 (Signature Member) Art Steamboat Show, Steamboat, CO 2014 Transparent Watercolor Society, Bloomington, MN 2008 National Watercolor Society, Brea, CA 2007
Solo ExhibitionsThe Magic of Africa, Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, Wyoming, 2017 The Magic of Africa, West Nebraska Arts Center, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 2016 Reimagine Wyoming, Artisan’s Gallery, Laramie, Wyoming, 2016 Wyoming Landscapes, Artisan’s Gallery, Laramie, Wyoming, 2015 Visions of the West, Laramie County Library, Cheyenne, Wyoming 2015 Wyoming Wildlife, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Laramie, Wyoming 2012 Western Art, The Cavalryman, Laramie, Wyoming 2011 The Magic of Africa Community Fine Arts Center, Rock Springs, Wyoming 2011 The Magic of Africa Rawlins Main Street Gallery , 2010 Wild Wyoming Artisan’s Gallery, Laramie, Wyoming 2010 Africa, Artisan’s Gallery, Laramie, Wyoming, 2009 Picture Perfect Old Town Art and Framery, Fort Collins, Colorado, 2008
Collections“Dark Eyes”, State of Wyoming, Cheyenne, WY, 2016 “Across the Valley”, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO, 2014 “The Laramie River”, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, Laramie, WY, 2013 “Rising From the Plains”, State of Wyoming, Cheyenne, WY, 2012 “Masai Bride”, Fine Arts Center, Rock Springs, WY 2011 “Afloat” (Wyoming Toad), Toledo Zoo SSP, Toledo, OH, 2011 “Winsor Castle”, Pipe Springs National Monument, Fredonia, AZ, 2007 “Gypsy Girl”, State of Wyoming, Cheyenne, WY, 2006 “The Wild Bunch”, Fine Arts Center, Rock Springs, WY, 2006 “Cardinal”, Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania, Huntingdon, PA, 2004
ResidenciesArtist in Residence, Rocky Mountain National Park, 2013 Cooper Center for Creative Arts, Laramie, watercolor workshop, 2011
Bibliography“Winning Big for Small Work in Dubois” Susan K Black Foundation, Occtober 2019 “Small Works Winners: The Full Report” Susan K Black Foundation October 2017 "Art walk, art talk, and affordable art at the NIC", West Winds Magazine, November 2016 Sell, Travis, "The taste and art of Africa coming to Scottsbluff", Scottsbluff Star Herald, January 2016 "The Magic of Africa" exhibit to open at WNAC, KOTA Territory News, Rapid City, SD January 2016 "African Art Exhibit", Gering Citizen, January 2016 “Artist in Residence Joy Keown Donates Painting to Rocky Mountain National Park”, Estes Park News, September 2014 Harvey, Juley, “RMNP artist-in-residence Joy Keown presents wild watercolors on July 3” Estes Park Trail Gazette, July 2013 “Water Colors are joyous brook babblings for RMNP artist-in-residence“, Estes Park Trail Gazette, 2013 "6 Artists get residencies at Rocky Mt. Natl Park" Denver Post, June 2013 "Artists selected for 2013 Program at Rocky Mountain National Park" Estes Park News, September 2014 “Defining Western Americana” Western Art Collector, March 2013
Cockar, Alexandra, “Inspiration in Nature”, Laramie Boomerang, August 2011 “Best in 2007”, Watercolor Artist, February 2008
PublicationsPrather, Rick & Joy Keown, “Color the Black Hills” co-author & illustrator, Pruett Publishing, 1998 Prather, Rick & Joy Keown, “Color Yellowstone”, co-author & illustrator, 1989 Lecture & Demonstration Experience2022 Art Uncork’d, Old West Museum, Cheyenne, WY, watercolor instructor 2021-22 Eppson Center, Laramie, WY, watercolor instructor 2017 Old West Museum, children’s watercolor workshop 2017 Cheyenne East High School watercolor workshop 2017 Nicolaysen Art Museum, solo show opening reception gallery talk 2016 Cheyenne RSVP, judge and workshop presentation 2013 Visions of the West, PowerPoint presentation at Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, Estes Park 2013 Juror for the Artist in Residence program at Rocky Mountain National Park 2013 Rocky Mountain High, PowerPoint presentation Laramie Art Guild, Laramie, WY 2013 Watercolor for Kids, program at Hidden Valley, Rocky Mountain National Park 2013 Wyoming Arts Council Click! Conference, Laramie, PowerPoint presentation at 20-20 2011 Rock Springs Community Fine Arts Center, PowerPoint Presentation “The Magic of Africa” 2011 Laramie Art Guild, Watercolor Pouring Demo 2011 Wyoming Wilderness Association Red Desert, painter’s campout 2011 Oregon Trail Days, Quick draw 2010 Rawlins Main Street Gallery, “Africa” PowerPoint presentation
RepresentationElephant Stock (on-line print orders) Artisans’ Gallery, Laramie, WY Clay Paper Scissors, Cheyenne, WY Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, WY
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