Josie Fife
P.O. Box 303
Philipsburg, Montana  59858

Tel (406)-560-1993
E-mail: iosiefife@hotmail.com
www.josiefife.com 

I was born in New Mexico in 1958. I spent the first seven years of my life surrounded by National Forest in the Sandia Mountains and have since always felt a deep connection with the natural world.

I have been drawn to painting all my life and attended art schools in Utah, where I received a B.F.A. in drawing and painting in 1991, with an emphasis on figure drawing. My drawings of nudes were among those chosen to tour Europe as part of a student show.

From 1991 to 1999 I worked in the film and television industries, painting sets and portraits (of Della Reese and Mimi Rogers for example).  My film credits include “A Life Less Ordinary” and “Truth or Consequences, New Mexico”.  During this time I also had several shows in and around Salt Lake City.

Since 2000 I have retired from film work to be a full-time artist. I paint in nature and I paint the human figure whenever I can get a model. Recently I have begun painting horses. I work from photographs that I have taken (horses don’t pose!), usually from the back of my horse.

I show my work in Seattle, Salt Lake City and throughout Montana.  My work has been purchased by numerous private and corporate collectors.

I live in Philipsburg, Montana with my husband John Nelson.

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"Colorado River Outside Moab"
30"x22"
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"Fleur de Lys"  
22"x30"
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"Cafe Jardin"
16"x12"
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"The Lesson"
24"x16"

"Purdie"
24""x17"
I typically begin a watercolor with broad, gestural strokes using a big round brush and pale colors. These first brushstrokes show through the finished work, adding richness and depth. As the painting develops I use deeper, richer colors. This gives the final glaze varied color that glows. Usually I apply these last glazes with a big brush fully loaded with unmixed color, letting it dry in a saturated pool. My favorite watercolorists are Caroline Lord, Mark Adams and Dong Kingman. I have taken workshops with both Lord and Adams.

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