Joseph Lorusso
was born in Chicago,
Illinois, in 1966 and received his formal training at the American
Academy of Art. He went on to receive his B.F.A. degree from
the Kansas City Art Institute. Born of Italian descent, Lorusso
was exposed to art at an early age. Through several early trips
to Italy, his parents introduced him to the works of the Italian
Masters. Lorusso would look to these influences throughout his
early artistic development and they are still evident in his
work today.
While in school, Lorusso
majored in watercolor and considers himself self-taught as an
oil painter. He learned to paint by studying the works of master
painters, often losing himself in the halls of the Chicago Art
Institute during lunch hours, which frequently turned into afternoons
of self-study.
Joseph Lorusso creates
landscapes and figurative works. In painting these subjects,
Lorusso has concentrated on honing his powers of observation,
especially as it concerns to color, texture, form and composition.
Lorussos paintings have been described as warm and dreamlike,
places of restful escape with a sense of spirituality, and share
timelessness with the works of other eras.
Joseph Lorusso, Oil Paintings
Discovering the works
of the Impressionists, he gravitated towards the works of Manet
and Vuillard. Lorusso searched for similar work of such emotion
and soon became an avid student of painting, seeking out and
immersing himself in the works of various artists. This path
would ultimately lead him to the works of Sargent, Sorolla, Whistler
and a whole army of lesser-known yet equally capable painters.
Within this group of artists, Lorusso would find a sense of identity.
In these masterful works, he saw the power to harness emotion
and convey it with power and confidence, yet with delicacy and
tasteful restraint. He also saw in these artists the ability
to express the "essence of an object with just a few
carefully chosen brushstrokes, creating a visceral and intuitive
state of painting.
Says Lorusso, "I
believe truly great art serves as a trigger into something deeper
within all of us". The mood and emotion conveyed in Lorussos
paintings evokes a deep sense of beauty found in the quiet times
of daily living. His people are mysterious, lonely, romantic
and yet familiar, placed in settings we often see ourselves.
Lorussos paintings have gained notoriety by their ability
to connect with the viewer, resonating in a way that is intimate
and personal.
While in school, Lorusso
was recruited by Hallmark Cards, Inc. and from 1988 to 1999 served
as an artist in their greeting card division. Lorusso has served
as instructor of painting and drawing at the Kansas City Art
Institute and the Scottsdale Artists School.
Lorussos work has
been shown internationally and has won numerous awards and honors.
He has been featured in American Artist magazine, Southwest Art,
U.S. Art, Art & Antiques, The Artists Magazine, Art News,
American Art Collector, International Artist and Art Talk magazines.
Lorussos work is part of many private collections.
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