Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon Portugal, c. 1960s
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA017)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Castle Mountains, New York, c. 1960s
Watercolor, ballpoint pen, pencil on acid free paper
9 x 12 in
22.9 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA069)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The First Steam Engine to be assigned to the service of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott + Memphis Run between Kansas City + springfield, missouri on the st Louis + sanfrancisco Rail Road pulling the Kansas City + Florida Special from Kans City to Jacksonville Fla in year of 1901, c. 1960s
Graphite, color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA016)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
West Coast Range Alberta B.C. Canada, c. 1960s
Watercolor, ballpoint pen, pencil on acid free paper
9 x 12 in
22.9 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA070)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Great Dividing Range of Queensland sector near Brisbane, Australia, 1963
Ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA043)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Foot of Mountain Range Near Madrid Spain, c. 1963-1964
Watercolor, ballpoint pen on brown Kraft paper, shellacked
19 x 12 in
48.3 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA018)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Lime Stone Query of Ash Grove Lime & Portland Cement Company Ash Grove, 1963/1965
Blue ballpoint pens and graphite, with watercolor on tan wove paper
12 x 18 3/4 in
30.5 x 47.6 cm
(JYOA032)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The Outlet in English Channel near Southampton Eng to Lehauerve France; This ship is the Lusatainia Conveyince Service, c. 1963/1967
Blue and black ballpoint pens, color pencils and chalk with smudging, on tan wove paper
19 x 24 in
48.3 x 61 cm
(JYOA035)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Deming, New Mexico at Foot of Florida Mtn Range near town of Deming, 1964
Color pencils, watercolor, ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA047)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Fertil Mounds Near Wyanoka Oklahoma, 1964
Ink and graphite on paper
12 x 17 3/4 in
30.5 x 45.1 cm
(JYOA045)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mississippi River neir north side of Hanibal Missouri, 1964
Blue and black ballpoint pens, colored pencils and chalk with smudging, on tan wove paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA031)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The Everglades in So. Florida near town Redland, 1964
Color pencil, graphite, and ink on paper
12 x 17 3/4 in
30.5 x 45.1 cm
(JYOA044)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The Home of Jesse James Near Bonner, 1964
Color pencil on paper
12 x 17 7/8 in
30.5 x 45.4 cm
(JYOA002)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Trinity and Brazus Valley near Elpaso Texas, 1964
Blue ballpoint pens and graphite, with watercolor on tan wove paper
12 x 17 1/2 in
30.5 x 44.5 cm
(JYOA036)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Imperial Valley, 1965
Ink, color pencil on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA004)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Lake Ponchatrain Near New Orleans Lousiana, 1965
Color pencil, watercolor, ballpoint pen on brown kraft paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA003)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Altai Mtns. Mongolia Asia, c. 1965
Pencil on paper
11 7/8 x 17 7/8 in
30.2 x 45.4 cm
(JYOA019)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Holly Hills of Jerselam Judea/Now, Palestine, c. 1965
Watercolor, ballpoint pen and ink on paper
18 x 24 in
45.7 x 61 cm
(JYOA020)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Moro Rock and Moro Bay Near San-Luis Obispo California by Joseph E. Yoakum, c. 1965
Pen, color pencil on paper
19 x 24 in
48.3 x 61 cm
(JYOA062)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Gum Pine Tree on Amazon, 1967
Color pencil, pen on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA005)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Look Out in Toppenish Range near Vancouver Washington, 1968
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
11 7/8 x 19 in
30.2 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA006)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Brenda Brenda in Great Dividing Range, c. 1968
Pen, watercolor on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA064)
Collection of Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, gift of Susann Craig, 2002.6.
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Cook of Southern Alps in South of New Zeland town as Church of Christ, c. 1968
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 18 1/4 in
30.5 x 46.4 cm
(JYOA021)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Bendeleoew in White Mtn Range Near Taylor Peninsular Alaska, 1969
Ink and color pencil on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA109)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Horseback in Rockey Knob Range near Chillicothe Ohio, 1969
Blue ballpoint pens and colored chalk with smudging on ivory wove paper
12 x 17 in
30.5 x 43.2 cm
(JYOA008)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Raft River near Great Salt Lake near Village Grouse Creek, Utah, 1969
Color pencil, ballpoint pen, graphite on paper
12 x 18 3/4 in
30.5 x 47.6 cm
(JYOA071)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The First Zepolin to compleet the first non stop flight Between New York City + Parris France, 1969
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA007)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
King Leopold Range, Argyle Downs, Australia, c. 1969
Color pencil on paper
11 7/8 x 17 3/4 in
30.2 x 45.1 cm
(JYOA022)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
In Black Mountain Range Near Montgomery Alabama South U.S.A., 1970
Ballpoint pen, color pencil on paper
12 1/4 x 19 in
31.1 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA013)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Lake of the Ozarks, 1970
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
11 1/2 x 19 in
29.2 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA011)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Looking to the West from..., 1970
Watercolor, pencil, pen on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA012)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt [title faded], 1970
Ballpoint pen, color pencil on paper
19 x 12 in
48.3 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA009)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Kanchen in Himilaya mtn Range near Lhasa China East asia, 1970
Pen, color pencil on paper
19 x 11 3/4 in
48.3 x 29.8 cm
(JYOA010)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The only woman ruler of Assirea Asia Se., 1970
Graphite, color pencil on paper
19 x 12 in
48.3 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA014)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Altali Mtn Mongolia Asia, c. 1970
Color pencil, ballpoint pen, graphite on paper
11 3/4 x 15 1/2 in
29.8 x 39.4 cm
(JYOA073)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Dead Sea near Dhioan in Jordan So East Asia, c. 1970
Pen, color pencil on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA038)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Little Fall in Spring River Near Thayer Missouri, c. 1970
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
18 x 24 in
45.7 x 61 cm
(JYOA072)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Monte Rosa in Jura Alps, c. 1970
Pen, pastel, color pencil on paper
11 3/4 x 15 1/2 in
29.8 x 39.4 cm
(JYOA037)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Shasta 80 Miles West of Susanville In Circayou County California, c. 1970s
Pen, color pencil on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA039)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Wilhelemina of Nassau Range Near Carstenez New Guinea asia [sic], c. 1970s
Color pencil, ballpoint pen, and ink on paper
18 x 24 in
45.7 x 61 cm
(JYOA023)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
A Long Continentle Divide, n.d.
Color pencil on paper
11 7/8 x 17 7/8 in
30.2 x 45.4 cm
(JYOA065)
Collection of Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, gift of Martha Grifin, 2014.5.3.
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
A Sinclair Oil Refinery, Santiago Cuba, n.d.
Graphite on paper
13 x 19 in
33 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA053)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Argyle Canyon, Utah, n.d.
Ballpoint pen on paper
8 x 10 in
20.3 x 25.4 cm
(JYOA060)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Chieff Gray Eagle Squaw wife Ogalla of Jicarilla Tribe Reservation north of Concord Newhampshire, n.d.
Graphite, color pencil on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA030)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Clark Gable Sr. Movie Actor Hollywood California, n.d.
Graphite, ink on paper
19 x 13 in
48.3 x 33 cm
(JYOA049)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Clinch Mtns Near Nashville, Tennessee, n.d.
Ballpoint pen, color pencil, graphite on paper
12 x 18 3/4 in
30.5 x 47.6 cm
(JYOA068)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
English Channel at Le Havre France, n.d.
Color pencil, watercolor on paper
18 x 24 in
45.7 x 61 cm
(JYOA033)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Fergus Falls Minnesota, n.d.
Ballpoint pen on paper
11 1/2 x 17 1/2 in
29.2 x 44.5 cm
(JYOA057)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Grand Prarie Cherryale Kans, n.d.
Watercolor, graphite on paper
9 x 12 in
22.9 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA028)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mound Valley Chetopa Kans., n.d.
Graphite on paper
8 1/2 x 11 in
21.6 x 27.9 cm
(JYOA052)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mound Valley, Kansas, n.d.
Watercolor, ink, pencil on paper
8 1/4 x 11 in
21 x 28 cm
(JYOA026)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Attalla in Red Mtn Range near attalla Alabama usa, n.d.
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
11 7/8 x 18 7/8 in
30.2 x 47.9 cm
(JYOA078)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Colio of Vericruz sec: near Town Ciowawa Mexico, n.d.
Pen, color pencil on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA040)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Issoire in Avergne Mtn Range near Clermont France, n.d.
Pen, pencil, color pencil on paper
12 x 18 in
30.5 x 45.7 cm
(JYOA042)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt Mckinley Highest Point in North America 20320 FE Near Town of Curry! Anchorage Seetor Alaska, USA, n.d.
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
12 x 17 5/8 in
30.5 x 44.8 cm
(JYOA024)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Blanc. Graian Alps Near Chemoix France, n.d.
Ink on paper
11 3/4 x 17 3/4 in
29.8 x 45.1 cm
(JYOA056)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Cross Pate in Long Range, Mt. Range near Damals Harber New Foundland, n.d.
Color pencil, ballpoint pen on paper
11 3/4 x 17 3/4 in
29.9 x 45.1 cm
(JYOA027)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Mt. Snohetta Near Andalsnes, Norway, n.d.
Graphite on paper
12 x 17 1/2 in
30.5 x 44.5 cm
(JYOA055)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Near Shore of Le Huavre, France, n.d.
Watercolor, ink, pencil on paper
8 1/4 x 10 3/4 in
21 x 27.3 cm
(JYOA025)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Sicapoo Mtns Luzon P.I. 7,743 ft, n.d.
Color pencil, watercolor, graphite on paper
9 x 12 in
22.9 x 30.5 cm
(JYOA029)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
St Louis & Sanfrancisco Rail Road between Thayer Missouri & Jonesboro Arkansas, n.d.
Blue ballpoint pens and chalk and colored pencils with smudging on ivory wove paper
12 x 18 3/4 in
30.5 x 47.6 cm
(JYOA034)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
The Little Home that Money Can’t Buy, Bay Shore Acroes on Moro Bay San Luis Obispo Cal, n.d.
Ballpoint pen, color pencil on paper
12 x 19 in
30.5 x 48.3 cm
(JYOA063)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum
Untitled, n.d.
Color pencil, graphite, and ink on paper
8 1/2 x 11 in
21.6 x 27.9 cm
(JYOA050)
Joseph Elmer Yoakum with “Mississippi River Neir Noth Side," c. late 1960s. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Whitney B. Halstead papers
Joseph Elmer Yoakum was, according to official record, born in Ash Grove, Missouri, in 1890. His work has been the subject of numerous solo presentations, including exhibitions at the David and Alfred Smart Museum of the University of Chicago; Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Chicago; the Art Institute of Chicago; and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Yoakum’s work is frequently featured in major group exhibitions, including recent presentations at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia. His work is held many public collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago; The Menil Collection, Houston; and the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Joseph Elmer Yoakum lived and worked in Chicago until his death in 1972.
Joseph Elmer Yoakum recollects his adventurous life in signature curvilinear language.
Yoakum's picaresque life and his late embrace of an artistic vocation call to mind traditional myths that assume artists are born, not made.
The visionary landscapist Joseph Elmer Yoakum (1888-1972) has been categorized as an outsider, self-taught or folk artist. Whichever: His place in the expanding canon of 20th-century American art is assured, both for his achievement and influence.
A cornucopia of over 60 exquisitely beautiful quasi-abstract colored-pencil landscapes by Native and African-American visionary Joseph Yoakum — and that look like they might have been made on Mars — is emitting undulant optical auroras at Venus Over Manhattan gallery.
These captivating ballpoint-and-watercolor landscapes are confident improvisations based on the American artist’s extensive travels.
African- and Native-American artist Joseph Elmer Yoakum, one of the best artists of the 1960s, was in his 70s when he began to make art full time.
Joseph Yoakum is an artist we should all know better.
It's another busy week for art in New York as summer officially begins.
Joseph Elmer Yoakum (1890–1972) was a self-taught African-American artist who claimed Native American ancestry. Though records show he was born in Missouri, he asserted that his birthplace was on the Navajo Reservation in Window Rock, Arizona, and repeatedly referred to himself “Na-va-JOE.” (He also said he was of African, French and Cherokee descent.)
For an even wilder walk on the wild side of landscape painting, Venus Over Manhattan gallery in New York presents Joseph Yoakum June 20 through July 26. Yoakum was a self-taught artist, his work variously categorized as “outlier,” “outsider,” “folk,” “naïve,” “vernacular.”
![Joseph Elmer Yoakum Mt [title faded], 1970](https://img.artlogic.net/w_1010,h_580,c_limit/exhibit-e-stg/5b6b5f6d6aa72c4f430fcc53/d42800dfee3f79ce16e84edcca68308e.jpeg)
![Joseph Elmer Yoakum Mt. Wilhelemina of Nassau Range Near Carstenez New Guinea asia [sic], c. 1970s](https://img.artlogic.net/w_1010,h_580,c_limit/exhibit-e-stg/5b6b5f6d6aa72c4f430fcc53/e650aa5d195ae1742e2ac2b9d2c3615e.jpeg)
