Joe Gustafson is a native of Nebraska and grew up drawing cowboys, Native Americans, and airplanes.  He pursued his love of flying in his twenties, which led him to become a pilot and flight instructor.  After a thirteen year career as a flight instructor, Joe decided to paint full time in 2020.  He now paints westerns and the scenery of the Old West.  “To me the Old West was a time period full of adventure, danger, hope, and excitement, when I paint I travel back there in my mind”.  Gustafson takes all his own reference photos, sketches and researches his subjects in detail before beginning a painting.  Joe lives in Omaha with his wife and two kids. 

I began drawing at a young age and gravitated toward western art.  As a kid I was deeply influenced by Charlie Russell’s artwork depicting cowboys and Native Americans. I paint oil on canvas and try to tell a story through each of my paintings. My goal is to help tell the story of the Old West and transport the viewer back to that moment in time, even if it’s just for a second.