ABOUT JOE RAY

ABOUT ME

I grew up in Poston, Arizona which is in the western part of the state along the Colorado River. Poston is on the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Reservation, near Parker, AZ. This is an agricultural area that gets very hot in the summertime. Damned hot.

Now I live in Scottsdale, where I play with color, create, teach therapeutic art, and more.

I’m a longtime artist member of Xico, a Chicano/Native American arts organization in Phoenix.

Born in San Luis, R.C., Sonora, Mexico, I came to the U.S. at the age of three. But I will always be the Cisco Kid.

I have a BFA from Arizona State University. Go Devils!

My work and I are represented by Royse Contemporary in Scottsdale.

Also, I’m proud to have been a student of the late Claude Thorn. He was my high school teacher who suggested I pursue art and wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’m grateful for his encouragement and guidance, which altered my confused life-course as a teenager.

FEATURED VIDEOS

Trade Routes: Helios Curation

This video interview explores the Trade Routes initiative for the Helios Education Foundation, a project I had the honor of curating and enriching with the exceptional work of talented Arizona and Florida artists for the Foundation.

Gathering Towers with Rosemary Lonewolf

In this video interview, Rosemary Lonewolf and I discuss our collaborative sculpture, Gathering Towers, at the Helios Education Foundation campus in Phoenix.

This sculpture symbolizes a place where people gather for the exchange of ideas, a concept inspired by ancient trade routes. Helios is dedicated to improving education outcomes in Arizona and Florida.

Friends of Xico: Studio Tour with Joe Ray

This video interview was part of a celebration and fundraising campaign for Xico.

PATRON & COLLECTOR INSIGHTS

Nicole Royse, Gallery Owner, Curator, Consultant

★★★★★

"Joe creates emotive, vibrant and impassioned art works that evoke the viewer senses. His bi-cultural perspective is reflected throughout his artwork through bold colors, captivating imagery, and vivid storytelling. Viewers connect with his distinct style and fascinating subjects of the Corazón, the Luchador, the Sirena, and the Angel. His art conveys a positive and uplifting message filled with love, passion and emotion that resonates on some level with everyone."

Marion Light, Mindfulness Therapist

★★★★★

“I have loved Joe’s art for many many years. The vibrancy, color and depth of his heart pieces have always moved me. He designed my logo, and I have his art in my office and at home. There is an elegant simplicity and depth within them. You not only look at them but rather experience them in your soul.”

Crista Cloutier, Artist Coach, Founder of The Working Artist

★★★★★

"I’ve been following Joe’s work for years since it first cast its spell on me. Joe’s art is full of color and joy yes, but there’s something even deeper at work. To me, it feels like magic."

José Cárdenas, Collector and Art Patron

★★★★★

"I’ve known Joe for decades and have many of his pieces, many of them purchased at the annual Xico dinner and arts auction. One of Joe’s angels was featured on the program cover for one of those dinners where the theme was “Art from the Heart.” That also describes all of Joe’s beautiful work. Whether it is literally one of his heart pieces, a mermaid, or even a luchador (wrestler), that sense of art from the heart suffuses all of his work."

Frank Ybarra, Artist

★★★★★

"Joe is a connector and collaborator. He connected me and other Latino artists to the arts organization MARS (Movimiento Artistico del Rio Salado), where many of us launched our art to the public. As a collaborator, we have exhibited in many shows; his vibrant and dynamic paintings are inspired by his personal experiences and cultural heritage, much like mine. Collectors gravitate to his work, which is characterized by bold colors and a blend of abstract and figurative elements, and they soon become friends because of Joe's positive and optimistic outlook."