Artist Joe Schafer’s work reflects his deep connection to nature and fearless creativity. Self-taught, he embraced art at 53 as a means of personal transformation.
Joe’s artistry evolved through experimentation. Seeking a new direction, he began painting on sheet metal, using textures from his environment. Leaving pieces outdoors, he let natural elements shape them. Over time, he added sand, clay, and layers of water, alcohol, and oil-based mediums. This process gives his impressionistic, nearly abstract landscapes their rich depth and movement.
Before becoming a full-time artist, Joe worked as a house painter, where he specialized in faux finishes. This experience helped him master texture, layering, and color interplay. His background in decorative painting naturally evolved into fine art, where he continues experimenting with unique surface treatments.
Although he never formally studied art, his time at Fort Lewis College influenced his creative perspective. A lecture by artist Stanton Engelhart left a lasting impression: “Follow your bliss and don’t let college get in the way of your education.” Inspired by Thoreau and Emerson, Joe pursued his vision beyond traditional limits. His work captures nature’s moods, textures, and colors in a way that deeply resonates with viewers.
Joe’s favorite piece, Big Sky, emerged through experimentation in his backyard. “It just happened,” he says. “I like how simple it is. Many of those early techniques I’m still using and refining today.”
Joe’s style blends impressionism with abstraction, creating landscapes that feel both familiar and dreamlike. His organic creative process tells a story of time, weather, and transformation.
"Starting my art career at 53 was a leap of faith, but incredibly fulfilling," Schafer shares. "Knowing my work resonates with people—capturing a mood, a season, or a time of day—is an extraordinary feeling."
His work is displayed at Artesanos of Durango, Maria’s Bookshop, and the Art Room Collective at the Smiley Building, where visitors can appreciate the depth and texture of his landscapes in person.
"Knowing my work resonates with people is an extraordinary feeling."