Joseph Lorusso

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.  

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. 

The main focus on Lorusso's mostly narrative work is to provide the viewer with a starting point, a place of engagement for the viewer to then reinterpret the scene as they see it. As telling a story has always been an important vehicle for human interaction, Lorusso believes in the ability and power to tell a story through his image making, being able to connect with the viewer in the process. 

Says Lorusso, "I believe truly great art serves as a trigger into something deeper within all of us". The mood and emotion conveyed in Lorusso's 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. Lorusso's 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. 

Lorusso's work has been shown internationally and has won numerous awards and honors, he is considered a leading figure in the field of contemporary figurative realism. 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.  

Lorusso's work is part of many private collections; his work is in the permanent collections of the Albrecht-Kemper Museum, St.Joseph, Missouri, the Beach Museum at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, and the Wichita Museum of Art, Wichita, Kansas. Joseph Lorusso is currently represented by McLarry Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM, Bonner-David Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ,  Cavalier Galleries, New York, Jones and Terwilliger Galleries, Carmel, CA, Hancock Gallery, United Kingdom.