Joe Grohe was born in Orlando, Florida. He grew up in northwestern PA where he earned a BA at the University of PA in Clarion. He continued his education and received his MA from the U. of Wis. in reading then started a MA in art. He was an elementary teacher for 35 years and retired in the state of Washington. At the age of 17, he began to explore various art techniques. While in Wisconsin, he was a member of the Rural Rembrandt Art Assoc. and studied at the Milwaukee Art Museum where he was permitted to set up his easel and paint directly from the museum's collection. When he moved to Iowa, he had two one man showings, one at the University of Iowa.

Since his retirement, he has studied with and is certified by Gary Jenkins. Some of his art hangs in Japan, Australia and across the USA. He has been painting for three years with the Strawberry Hill art group and is proud to be a member of the PAL.