About
Jonathan McAfee (b. 1982) is an artist working in Kittredge, CO and the owner of Western Exposure Fine Art. After graduating from Herron School of Art and Design (Indiana University) with a B.F.A. in painting, McAfee began focusing on the figure and developing his expressive application of paint.
He has exhibited in solo exhibitions at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science (Evansville, IN) and Artwork Network (Denver, CO). His numerous group exhibitions include Muses of Mt. Helikon IV at Helikon Gallery (Denver, CO) and The Self-Portrait Show at Gallery 924 (Indianapolis, IN). In 2016 McAfee was awarded the second annual North American Artist Showcase through Professional Artist Magazine. He has exhibited in Los Angeles as part of the Superfine Art Fair (February 2019) and his latest solo exhibition took place at Kuehl Fine Art within the A.R. Mitchell Museum in Trinidad, CO in March, 2025.
McAfee's work is collected throughout the United States, Europe & Asia and can be seen and purchased at his art studio in Kittredge, CO or online at Artsy, Saatchi Art, ArtFinder, ArtRewards or Kuehl Fine Art.
He has exhibited in solo exhibitions at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science (Evansville, IN) and Artwork Network (Denver, CO). His numerous group exhibitions include Muses of Mt. Helikon IV at Helikon Gallery (Denver, CO) and The Self-Portrait Show at Gallery 924 (Indianapolis, IN). In 2016 McAfee was awarded the second annual North American Artist Showcase through Professional Artist Magazine. He has exhibited in Los Angeles as part of the Superfine Art Fair (February 2019) and his latest solo exhibition took place at Kuehl Fine Art within the A.R. Mitchell Museum in Trinidad, CO in March, 2025.
McAfee's work is collected throughout the United States, Europe & Asia and can be seen and purchased at his art studio in Kittredge, CO or online at Artsy, Saatchi Art, ArtFinder, ArtRewards or Kuehl Fine Art.
Photograph by Chayce Lanphear
Artist Statement
As an expressive portrait painter residing amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Evergreen, Colorado, I find inspiration in the vibrant hues of both the natural world and the human experience. My artistic journey is a celebration of emotion and expression, where traditional portraiture meets a riot of color and dynamic gestures.
In my work, I strive to break free from the confines of conventional portrait painting, infusing life into each canvas through the bold use of oil paint, acrylics, oil pastels, and, at times, the unexpected touch of spray paint. The result is a visual symphony where every stroke and every hue contribute to the narrative of the individual portrayed.
The vibrant colors and gestural application of paint in my creations are a deliberate departure from the traditional, inviting viewers to experience portraiture as a dynamic, living entity rather than a static representation.
My artistic process is an exploration of emotion and connection. Through layers of paint and spontaneous marks, I aim to reveal the inner essence of my subjects, capturing the subtleties of their emotions and the unique energy they bring to the canvas. It is my belief that each portrait should not merely depict a person but should convey a rich and multi-dimensional story, inviting viewers to engage with the soul behind the eyes.
In the fusion of various mediums, I find a limitless palette of expression, allowing me to experiment with texture, form, and depth. My use of oil paint, acrylics, oil pastels, and spray paint symbolize the complexity and diversity inherent in the human spirit.
In my work, I strive to break free from the confines of conventional portrait painting, infusing life into each canvas through the bold use of oil paint, acrylics, oil pastels, and, at times, the unexpected touch of spray paint. The result is a visual symphony where every stroke and every hue contribute to the narrative of the individual portrayed.
The vibrant colors and gestural application of paint in my creations are a deliberate departure from the traditional, inviting viewers to experience portraiture as a dynamic, living entity rather than a static representation.
My artistic process is an exploration of emotion and connection. Through layers of paint and spontaneous marks, I aim to reveal the inner essence of my subjects, capturing the subtleties of their emotions and the unique energy they bring to the canvas. It is my belief that each portrait should not merely depict a person but should convey a rich and multi-dimensional story, inviting viewers to engage with the soul behind the eyes.
In the fusion of various mediums, I find a limitless palette of expression, allowing me to experiment with texture, form, and depth. My use of oil paint, acrylics, oil pastels, and spray paint symbolize the complexity and diversity inherent in the human spirit.
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
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
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