In 2020, Joseph Micacchione made it through isolation by examining his life and considering what did and did not still bring him joy. And in September of 2021, he decided to switch gears in a big way. After leaving his job at a top financial firm in Atlanta, he set out to dedicate his talents to a completely new field: abstract art. During his colorful and unique journey to devote himself to something he was proud of, Joseph believed he had to fit a certain mold. But as he created more pieces, even creating his own technique using acrylic paint, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol, he realized instead of fitting a certain mold he would create one, and then he would smash it. In this case, creativity won the war of heart and head. Introducing this week’s client for Maker Monday, Joseph Micacchione.
Joseph’s vibrant and splashy piece, Classic Confetti (left), is currently on display at Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida.
Andrew Joseph: If you could guest star on any TV show -on or off-air- what show would you guest star in?
Joseph Micacchione: This is an easy question to answer for me… Veep! My major in college was Political Science and International Affairs so I already had a very pessimistic view of US and Global Politics. When Veep came along and Julia Louis-Dreyfus and cast were tasked with perfectly executing a political satire that dabbled in real-world political events, I was hooked from the first episode! I think I have watched the entire series 4/5 times all the way through and the writing and acting NEVER get old! If you know me you know that I thrive on well-executed sarcasm and if I had to describe my sense of humor to someone I just met I would just turn on an episode of Veep and I am sure they would catch on fairly quickly as to what I think is funny.
AJ: What’s a guilty pleasure you have?
JM: The pleasure itself isn’t guilty; however, the amount of times I indulge in it is borderline problematic… SUSHI! My mother lived in Japan for a number of years growing up so she and my grandmother learned how to make sushi from the experts. Growing up, my mom would always make sushi or take me and my sister out for sushi to celebrate birthdays, post-church dinners, A’s on my report cards, winning tennis matches, etc. So for me, it was always a treat symbolic of something worth celebrating.
After diving headfirst into the unfamiliar art world, Joseph was able to create his own blend of mixed media styling tools, such as mixing together rubbing alcohol, acrylic paint and dish soap, which adds a level of depth and texture to his non-objective patterns.
AJ: What’s your favorite cocktail?
JM: I haven’t really had liquor since I graduated from UGA in 2013. I DO however thoroughly enjoy a certain Martini garnish and have been known, to the chagrin of the friends I am at dinner with, to order just a plate of blue cheese stuffed olives. My friends would all be ordering their extra dirty martinis or craft cocktails and when the server would get to me everyone would let out a big sigh and laugh because they knew all I wanted was a glass of water with lime and a LARGE plate of just blue-cheese stuffed olives.
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
JM: Just to be true to yourself and go after whatever it is that makes you happy. As a child, there are a TON of outside influences trying to “guide” you towards a path that might not always be in your best interest. Speaking for myself, I know these could sometimes become overwhelming, sometimes to a point where I lost sight of my own voice and identity.
The vibrancy and dynamism of Joseph’s abstract pieces add a bright splash to any interior.
AJ: Favorite tea to decompress, and in what mug?
JM: My favorite tea is hands down Celestial Honey Vanilla Chamomile… with a little added honey and it is a little glass of perfection! The mug however, is a little more interesting. A friend of mine always has friends over Saturday and Sunday mornings for a little breakfast and R&R. A couple of years ago he invited me over and served me coffee in what is now known as the “Boobies Mug”… and it’s exactly what it sounds like. He was given a mug which is now my designated mug when I come over… it has cartoon drawings of breasts all over the mug, in all shapes and sizes. At first, it was just a funny mug to drink out of but then we took a closer look… all sizes and colors were represented by the drawings even single and double mastectomy breasts were represented and breasts with scars from chemo/cancer. After discovering this the mug represents something far more significant… It is now a symbol for how we are all different, we have all gone through different struggles and that our scars really can shape who we are.
In between the stress of a career change, a guilty pleasure for enjoying too much sushi and spending warm Atlanta evenings with his friends, Joseph still manages to produce exceptional abstract pieces that are sure to capture your eye.
AJ: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
JM: Most people cannot believe that I had no personal training or formal education in painting/art. Before I started painting I had a long career in the finance industry and was VERY unhappy. I actually started painting/creating in September of 2021 as a type of relief or escape from the daily grind that was finance. I quickly realized that expressing myself in the form of painting was making me far happier than I ever was since starting in finance. Now that painting is my full-time career I can honestly say I wake up every morning ready to create something new and the opportunity to make someone else happy with my artwork is the most rewarding feeling I have ever had!
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.