About
Jonathan McAfee (b. 1982) is a distinguished visual artist and small business owner based in Kittredge, Colorado. He is the founder and operator of Western Exposure Fine Art, a contemporary gallery where he curates monthly exhibitions and showcases his own work. Since earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from the Herron School of Art and Design (Indiana University) in 2006, McAfee has dedicated his career to exploring the human figure and the natural world through a bold, expressive application of paint. His technical style seamlessly blends traditional oil and acrylic techniques with modern elements like pastel and spray paint, resulting in vibrant, layered compositions. This unique approach has garnered national recognition; in 2016, he was awarded the second annual North American Artist Showcase by Professional Artist Magazine. McAfee’s exhibition history is extensive, featuring solo shows at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science and the A.R. Mitchell Museum in Trinidad, CO. He has also participated in major events like the Superfine Art Fair in Los Angeles and various curated group exhibitions across Denver and Indianapolis.
Beyond the studio, McAfee is a member-at-large for the Kittredge Improvement Fund (KIF) and enjoys being bad at golf and attempting to call himself a trail runner. His work is held in private collections throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Today, his paintings continue to evolve, often drawing inspiration from contemporary Western and Southwestern motifs. His latest pieces can be viewed and purchased at his Kittredge studio or through his global online presence on Saatchi Art.
Beyond the studio, McAfee is a member-at-large for the Kittredge Improvement Fund (KIF) and enjoys being bad at golf and attempting to call himself a trail runner. His work is held in private collections throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Today, his paintings continue to evolve, often drawing inspiration from contemporary Western and Southwestern motifs. His latest pieces can be viewed and purchased at his Kittredge studio or through his global online presence on Saatchi Art.
Photograph by Wander Out West
Artist Statement
Residing amidst the rugged landscapes of Evergreen, Colorado, I create expressive portraits that capture the vibrant, unpredictable energy of the human experience. My work breaks away from traditional portraiture, transforming the canvas into a space where deep emotion meets a riot of color and physical, dynamic gestures.
Rather than aiming for a static representation, I layer oil paint, acrylics, oil pastels, and spray paint to build texture and depth. This mix of mediums allows me to work spontaneously, using bold strokes and unexpected marks to reveal the inner essence and subtle complexity of my subjects. Ultimately, I want each portrait to do more than just depict a face—I want it to feel like a living entity that invites viewers to engage with the distinct soul behind the eyes.
Rather than aiming for a static representation, I layer oil paint, acrylics, oil pastels, and spray paint to build texture and depth. This mix of mediums allows me to work spontaneously, using bold strokes and unexpected marks to reveal the inner essence and subtle complexity of my subjects. Ultimately, I want each portrait to do more than just depict a face—I want it to feel like a living entity that invites viewers to engage with the distinct soul behind the eyes.
Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2025 - Humanity + Horizon, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2023 - Expressive West, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2022 - Figurative Landscapes, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2021 - Oh! Happy Day, THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2018 - Confabulation, HELIKON GALLERY & STUDIOS, Denver, CO
IRISH HILL STUDIO, Indianapolis, IN
EVANSVILLE MUSEUM OF ARTS, HISTORY & SCIENCE, Evansville, IN
2015 - 3MASS GALLERY, Indianapolis, IN
GALLERY 924, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
INVOKE STUDIOS, Indianapolis, IN
2014 - THE KURT VONNEGUT MEMORIAL LIBRARY, Indianapolis, IN
FLETCHER PLACE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2012 - THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2011 - THE EARTH HOUSE COLLECTIVE, Indianapolis, IN
THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
GALLERY ONE36, Westfield, IN
2010 -| THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 - Howdy Y'all, WESTERN EXPOSURE FINE ART, Kittredge, CO
2025 - Snow Show, WESTERN EXPOSURE FINE ART, Kittredge, CO
2022 - Group Show, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2019 - SUPERFINE ART FAIR, Los Angeles, CA
2017 - Chromatic, ARTWORK NETWORK, Denver, CO
Winter Eclectic, ARTWORK NETWORK, Denver, CO
2016 - Muses of Mount Helikon IV, HELIKON GALLERY & STUDIOS, Denver, CO
HUE GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Wichita, KS
ARTWORK NETWORK, Denver, CO
ZK GALLERY, San Francisco, CA
2015 - RED WOLF GALLERY, Denver, CO
THE ATTIC GALLERY, Indianapolis, IN
2013 - GALLERY 924, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2011 - GALLERY 924, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2010 - THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2009 - THE INDIANAPOLIS ARTS CENTER, Indianapolis, IN
Permanent Collections
Lowes Minneapolis Hotel
Capitol One Lounge - Denver International Airport
Awards and Recognition
2016 - Second Annual North American Artist Showcase, Professional Artist Magazine
Artist Talks and Presentations
2025 - Artist Lecture, Trinidad State College, Trinidad, CO
2025 - Humanity + Horizon, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2023 - Expressive West, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2022 - Figurative Landscapes, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2021 - Oh! Happy Day, THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2018 - Confabulation, HELIKON GALLERY & STUDIOS, Denver, CO
IRISH HILL STUDIO, Indianapolis, IN
EVANSVILLE MUSEUM OF ARTS, HISTORY & SCIENCE, Evansville, IN
2015 - 3MASS GALLERY, Indianapolis, IN
GALLERY 924, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
INVOKE STUDIOS, Indianapolis, IN
2014 - THE KURT VONNEGUT MEMORIAL LIBRARY, Indianapolis, IN
FLETCHER PLACE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2012 - THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2011 - THE EARTH HOUSE COLLECTIVE, Indianapolis, IN
THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
GALLERY ONE36, Westfield, IN
2010 -| THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 - Howdy Y'all, WESTERN EXPOSURE FINE ART, Kittredge, CO
2025 - Snow Show, WESTERN EXPOSURE FINE ART, Kittredge, CO
2022 - Group Show, KUEHL FINE ART AT THE A.R. MITCHELL MUSEUM, Trinidad, CO
2019 - SUPERFINE ART FAIR, Los Angeles, CA
2017 - Chromatic, ARTWORK NETWORK, Denver, CO
Winter Eclectic, ARTWORK NETWORK, Denver, CO
2016 - Muses of Mount Helikon IV, HELIKON GALLERY & STUDIOS, Denver, CO
HUE GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART, Wichita, KS
ARTWORK NETWORK, Denver, CO
ZK GALLERY, San Francisco, CA
2015 - RED WOLF GALLERY, Denver, CO
THE ATTIC GALLERY, Indianapolis, IN
2013 - GALLERY 924, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2011 - GALLERY 924, The Arts Council of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
2010 - THE HARRISON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Indianapolis, IN
2009 - THE INDIANAPOLIS ARTS CENTER, Indianapolis, IN
Permanent Collections
Lowes Minneapolis Hotel
Capitol One Lounge - Denver International Airport
Awards and Recognition
2016 - Second Annual North American Artist Showcase, Professional Artist Magazine
Artist Talks and Presentations
2025 - Artist Lecture, Trinidad State College, Trinidad, CO