My name is Joseph McHugh and I have been painting ever since I could hold a brush. I grew up in Colorado, and lived in Montana for many years where I developed much of my current style and body of work. Currently, I live in Spokane, Washington.

I have had the great fortune of growing up in a family of artists and living in the West, surrounded by incredible landscapes. As a Spanish teacher and lover of travel, I have also had the privilege to paint in many different parts of the world. Most of my watercolors are painted “en plein air” (outdoors from life). In addition to watercolor, I also enjoy working in black&white media from time to time.

Whether revisiting a familiar place, traveling abroad, or getting to know a new home, art is an important part of how I explore and embrace my surroundings. Painting records memories, seasons of life, and fleeting glimpses of deep natural beauty. The process of painting from life is a constant challenge that requires one to be completely present in the moment. It is an immersive, therapeutic, and spiritual experience through which I experience God’s creation, and I am thankful to be able to share the reflections that I capture with others.