original plein air study of old mule barn in Lee County N.C.
I am mainly a Plein air painter capturing everyday life and traditions in rural North Carolina. 'I can become extremely excited about an old tobacco barn.'
As a young boy in the first grade I started drawing. From North Carolina, I traveled the world thanks to the military. A veteran of 26 years, I served two tours in Viet Nam with the Air Force and after a break of 16 years, I joined the Army during Desert Storm. In 2004 I stayed the year in Iraq and finally retired in 2008.
I've always loved art but put most of my creative juices into Photography as a wedding photographer and the senior photographer for a newspaper..

I seek to paint according to my own sense of values. (God,country and family) .Feeling the profound importance of wild natural places and the small farms and ranches that are the cornerstones of America's independent spirit, I try to incorporate these themes throughout my body of work. Combining naturalistic color with dynamic composition, scenes of peace and tranquility charged with beauty, spirit and energy.I am blessed to have works in private collections all over the world and to have had Numerous awards presented to me for my demonstration of shadows with unique forms of light.

I like to spend my time painting, and traveling the country's coastal areas, National Parks ,wilderness, seeking out-of-the-way places to gather new material and inspiration.

Attended New York School of Photography
Member of:
Oil Painters of America
American Impressionist Society
Hanover Art Association
Plein Air Painters of America
Paint N.C.
Represented by:
Artistic Expressions Gallery
Studio 450
Awards:
Best in Show
People's Choice Award
Honorable Mention
(C) Copyright ALL RIGHTS reserved
All work in this gallery is the original work of Joe Byrd. It is for sale, copyrighted to Joe Byrd and, as such, is protected by US and International Copyright laws.