Joe Anna Arnett

Joe Anna Arnett, distinguished Santa Fe artist, died in the evening on February 3, 2024, at her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a long battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 33 years, James Asher. Together, they traveled the world, capturing their favorite scenes in paint. From India to Europe to South America and locations all around the United States, they shared adventures that inspired their art and enriched the lives of others.

Joe Anna is survived by two sisters, Rose Mary Banks (Michael) of Jacksonville, Texas, and Elsie Thurman (Andy) of Horseshoe Bay, Texas. She is also survived by 3 nephews, 2 nieces, 17 great nephews and nieces and a step-daughter, Denise Davis (Jeff) of Arch Cape, Oregon. She leaves a host of treasured friends around the world.

Joe Anna was born in Jacksonville, Texas on May 9, 1950 and grew up in this small East Texas community. She graduated from the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She moved to New York and became a Senior Art Director for Young & Rubicam Advertising working on such accounts as Merrill Lynch and People Magazine. In New York, she continued to study painting at the Art Student’s League for an additional four years.

She moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1987. Zaplin Lampert Gallery represented her work for over thirty years. Joe Anna is now represented at McLarry Fine Art where there is currently

a special exhibit of her masterpieces. She has written books, appeared in segments on PBS and produced videos that teach techniques in oil painting. Joe Anna was a master artist and has been awarded many recognitions including the Lifetime Achievement Award from PleinAir Magazine.

Joe loved her garden; everything grown was a prop for her painting. She called the antique roses, “the girls” and they are featured in countless paintings. She also grew and painted sunflowers and peonies year after year. The thing she may have enjoyed most was sharing her garden with other painters, friends and neighbors.

Joe Anna was a member of Christ Church Santa Fe where she worshiped with many brothers and sisters in Christ. Since childhood, she has fervently practiced her faith in Jesus as her Savior.

Services will be held at Christ Church Santa Fe on February 8 at 3 pm. A graveside service will be held at Scenic Haven Cemetery, Jacksonville Texas on February 10 at 2 pm.

The family suggests memorials to Christ Church Santa Fe, 1213 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or Scenic Haven Cemetery, Inc., PO Box 1887, Jacksonville, TX 75766.

For more information about Joe Anna see autryfuneralhome.com.