Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joseph Liberti. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joseph, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I began my career as a performing artist at the age of 71 . I was self-employed providing coaching and training to corporations and executives at the time and the creative urge finally overcame my resistance, I had a passion for jazz music and been playing flute for my own entertainment, mostly by ear. I learned to read and write music, performed regularly with top musicians in Colorado , and wrote, and performed several shows. I regretted not starting music earlier. I often asked myself ” where and what would I be now if I had started at the age of 17. A recording artist? A top ranked performer? A movie composer? If I had started earlier there is no telling what I might have accomplished. Yet I was grateful and optimistic. I considered myself fortunate to have had a wonderful 10 year “career” as a jazz musician and was still growing… when along came COVID.

The time of the pandemic was the end of my music career. I got ill, quite possibly with undiagnosed COVID and re-injured a years old injury. After 2 1/2 years away from the business I finally admitted I was physically unable to perform and retired as a musician.

But my muse was still moving me to create. In my pre-pandemic life, I had the hobby of taking snapshots of nature on my daily walks I got the idea to use a computer and software to manipulate my photos and create digital art. I trained myself, mostly by watching YouTube video to do digital collage and digital painting. My previous experience of delaying my musical life was viviid in my memory. At the age of 81 I declared myself a full time digital artist and began selling my work. .

My first gallery show in 2021 was a thrill and I completely sold out my show . Six months later I received silver and a bronze awards for two of my works entered into an international show. Now I am learning to do abstract digital painting and creating a new kind of art. As before I asked myself “Where would you be in your artist career if you had started earlier?” And now I can answer myself with: “Who knows where you might have been but look at where you are now.”

I am so grateful to be doing fulfilling art that is now hanging in homes and offices. People sometimes look at one of my paintings and say, “how long did it take you to do that?” My answer is 83 years. I now know that all of my life experiences are showing up in my art. I am in good health and still growing as an artist. My doc thinks I am going to live a long life and I am aiming at 100 years. Who knows what I might accomplish before I leave. If i could give advice to anyone considering a life change to be a creative I would say, “DOIIt Now!” Don’t worry about what might have been. jump in and live your creative life now!

Joseph, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I create uplifting art inspired by the everyday nature of Colorado. My goal as an artist is to invite my viewer into a moment of engagement with the sublime.

A composition often begins when I am drawn to something while on my daily hike. Sometimes it is a light or a dry leaf or shape or scene that I catch out of a the corner of my eye. I attempt to capture the energy and emotion of my experience with a photo.

Back in my studio my process is often one of photo manipulation or digital collage or digital painting or all of these. I use my computer, graphic tablet and software to visually tell the story of my experience. I work with color, shape and light using overlays, paint and texture often moving rapidly from element to element as if improvising a solo. When my digital art is complete I have my work commercially printed usually on metal or canvas.

I make buying art easy. My website enables people to view art on their own walls to see how it will look and what size is appropriate. I also work with clients to create custom art and a custom format for their need. My clients love their art. I have a love guarantee that is simple. If you don’t absolutely love your art. Bring it back within 30 days and I will refund your purchase.

I am proud of creating award-winning art in an international juried competition. Perhaps what I feel best about is the art that I provided to a medical office that is providing inspiration to thousands of people. My art can be seen tin June at Galileo Gallery 1525 Old Stage Road Colorado Springs 80906. Friday Saturday and Sunday 12:00PM to 5:00PM ourat my home studio by appointment 7190-422-5299

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Value art as an essential part of all human experience. Art is a a connection to the sublime. Please rethink your use of the expression “you are so talented.” in taking to an artist. The art you are complimenting is an expression of competence as well as inspiration and desire. An artist doesn’t just produce a grand piece of art because they are gifted with talent. They put in thousand of hours of learning and practice to develop the competency to express the beauty they feel. Go and see art! Support your local artists by going to art openings even if you do not buy art. Your support of showing up is a tribute to art and artists and does have a profound effect. Buy art. When you feel a connection with something buy it. It will contribute to your joy of life and support an artist. Art is an investment in your self. I think getting starting buying art seems difficult. I remember buying my first piece years ago A painting was speaking to meant I couldn’t stop looking at it from several angles. The artist walked up and said to me “How would you like to own that?” In communities around the globe various forms of support are being created for artists in the form of subsidized housing , minimum guaranteed income, spaces to create and display art and more. Communities are deciding that art is important to their well-being. Support these initiatives to support a creative ecosystem.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have had to start over agin several times in my life. In 1998 I had a health issue that literally put me out of business physically and financially. I had four major surgeries, couldn’t work for most of a year and I even suffered being unable to speak for three months when my work had been providing speaking and facilitation. Since I couldn’t work I started a computer-based business of training and coaching and supported myself for five years as I made the transition to full time music professional, teaching myself to read and write music, compose music and perform along the way . In 2019 just before the pandemic was mainstream I got quite ill, possibly with undiagnosed COVID and the re-injured a years old injury. I was no longer able to perform. I started creating art with a computer to satisfy my creative urge. My curiosity and desire to learn motivated me. May optimism energized me. I looked not at what might have been but what is now. I took over 50,000 photos to learn about photography and art. I watched hundreds of hours of video to teach myself art. I remained excited about life. I expect that good things will happen and they do.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://josephliberti.com
• Instagram: @flutedaddy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JosephLibertiArtist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-liberti
• Twitter: @josephliberti

Image Credits
copyright 2022 Joseph Liberti all rights reserved