Born in San Diego, California, J. Barry Motes grew up in Xenia, Ohio. Now, Professor of Art and Art Department Head at Jefferson Community & Technical College in Louisville, Kentucky, he resides in Prospect, Kentucky with his wife, Carla. Son Zach is Executive Director of Ignite the Ville, a University of Louisville campus ministry. Son Griff is a pediatrician at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, VA. As an expression of his Christian faith, Motes uses his God-given abilities to investigate spiritual themes and their relationship to the physical world.
Motes has exhibited his work in 45 solo shows and more than 130 group or juried exhibitions around the country, including national competitions the Valdosta National, LaGrange National Biennial, Texas National, and the Red Clay Survey. Among the 30 grants and awards he has received are the Bessie LaBudde Memorial Purchase Award by the Evansville Museum of Art, Best in Show at the Bluegrass Biennial, the Schrodt Award for Excellence in Realism at the Water Tower Regional and an Al Smith Visual Artist Fellowship from the Kentucky Arts Council.
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Lure of the Snake Goddess, Oil on canvas, 30" x 24', Private Collection