Master Painter
Joseph Yznaga Regan, the son of quite artistic parents, was born in Washington, DC, in 1936. From a very early age he drew and painted, and by the age of 14 began his art career. During his teens Joe painted several portraits of the local fox-hunting gentry and their wives in Maryland as well as painting "costume pieces" - figures in historical costume. He has spent his entire adult career as a costumer, decorative painter and muralist.
Joseph "Joe" went to the University of Maryland from 1954 to 1958, where he majored in Fine Art with a very academic training, including 4 years of life drawing. Then the army called, which fortunately paid for 2 years further art education in New York City, namely at the School for Visual Arts (then the Art Students League), and finally the Traphagen School of Design.
After leaving the service in 1961, Joe began the mural phase of his career. His first job for Bloomingdale's eventually led to further department store and architectural design firm work for which he executed murals for hotels and stores in the Eastern part of the US, Bermuda and Canada.
Arriving in South Florida in 1974, Joe settled in Key West where he met some distant relatives from Cuba, inspiring him to investigate the cultural connection between Key West and Cuba. While there, he painted a large portrait mural of a famous man from Cuba's history, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, in The San Carlos Institute.
In 1980, seeking wider fields for his artistic endeavors, Joe moved to Fort Lauderdale, where he lived and worked for 21 years. In 2011 he returned to Maryland, then quickly high-tailed it back to Florida to escape the harsh winters. He currently works from his studio in Fort Lauderdale as well as paints on-site for clients.
With an extensive collection of period costume prints dating from the late 1800's through the 1900's displaying clothes of all the classical periods, Joeseph delights in recreating exotic costumes in modern-day custom portraiture.
Besides his people and animal portraiture, Joseph paints classical style nudes, bright florals, bursting landscapes, shells, and delights in painting whimsical illustrations. The level of detail in Joseph's paintings is awe-inspiring; from paintings as small as 5 inches by 5 inches to sprawling murals 10's of feet wide and tall.
Contact Joe regarding custom portrait, mural or painting requests, as well as to inquire about availability of original artworks found on this website through his agent, Tristina Dietz Elmes, by submitting your inquiry on the CONTACT page.
Image licensing requests also welcomed. Simply send your inquiry through Joe's agent, Tristina Dietz Elmes, on the CONTACT page.
