Joseph Losavio
A Brief Profile
I am a fine artist who lives and works in rural Sussex County, New Jersey. Raised in the suburbs of central New Jersey, I was fortunate to live in wooded neighborhoods and established an early bond with nature and the outdoors. Walking and exploring in the woods, often alone, I always sensed a solace and feeling of connection that never failed to center and nurture me. I found the earth to be an extension of self, with its glorious diversity, and mysterious inner forces.
After earning an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Lafayette College, Easton, PA, I began my artistic career in the Painting and Drawing Department at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, where I was fortunate to study with Rudolf Baranick, Max Gimblett, Linda Francis and Jack Sonenberg. It did not take long to realize I was a painter and the content of my work was going to focus on the concept of inner-space. Inspired by Western artists such as J.M.W. Turner, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Frederic Church and Henri Matisse, and Asian artists such as Ike no Taiga, Yosa no Buson and Chang Dai- chien, I chose landscape and personal myth as metaphors for exploring my place in the world.
In order to support my creative work, I decided to teach art, initially to mentally challenged adults in a developmental center setting, and later to young children in the New Jersey Public School system. This allowed me to grow artistically, expand my range of interests and earn a Master’s Degree in Painting from William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ. As an art educator at the Andover Regional School District, Andover, NJ, I enjoyed designing creative encounters for my students that were multi-stepped, process-oriented, and open ended assignments. Witnessing how each student uniquely approached and responded to each project greatly expanded my own personal vision and artistic practice.
In June 2013, I retired from teaching after 27 years to pursue my painting career full-time. I continue to explore the realms of art, psychology, and spirituality. I am a student of Kundalini Yoga and Sufi mysticism. I love hiking, reading, looking at all types of art and visiting wild natural places. My painting allows me the opportunity to celebrate, explore and unite these interests.