We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Salerno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is essential and I also think it’s scarier than it actually is. We hold back for fear of making some life or death decision or maybe it seems we’re wasting our time but I’ve found that this is rarely the case. If you do your research, listen to others, ask people their thoughts and take a little leap of faith you’ll see that even if it doesn’t go the way you wanted it to, the landing is almost never as hard as you think. You pick yourself up and you move on to your next challenge but no matter what you’ll either learn what you did right and/or what you did wildly wrong. I’ve never looked for an easy way out and personally I thrive in my vulnerability because it reveals something deeper about me each time. While being an out-of-the-box thinker has made most things a little more difficult, the reward is all the better.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

The pandemic has put a squeeze on everyone, and everything so I started looking into newer avenues for art. About six months ago I got a 3d printer and have been studying to get certified in SolidWorks as a CAD designer. I’m prototyping a line of boutique concrete tiles for the home improvers and interior designers out there. I’ve also recently been inquired about doing a large scale public sculpture here in Los Angeles which has been taking a bit of my time but I am very excited about the opportunity to work on something much larger than I’m used to. Aside from that I get into my studio from time to time and work on smaller sculptures and maquettes for large scale works. I think I’m really going to benefit from CAD designing, recreating my models to larger scales and looking forward to one day working with architects and developers to beautify the landscape we all inhabit.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had an out of town guest here’s where I would take them. First off, the Griffith Observatory. It’s essential. [I know it’s an easy one but c’mon, it’s still one of the best views of LA]. It gives me a sense of peace and calm looking at it all from above. It also reminds me just how many amazing people are gathered in one place and I like to think I’m one of them. I’d take them hiking in Malibu at Sandstone Peak, and probably for a dip in the ocean right after off the PCH [doors and top off my Jeep of course]. In the evening we’d go to Marugame Manzo in Little Tokyo, my favorite udon spot. There’s a guy in a window making fresh udon noodles and it’s so good it kills me. I crave it. Though the bars are not open right now I love going to Normandie Club for daiquiris and Seven Grand for their killer scotch list. The rest of the week would be tours throughout some of my favorite neighborhoods. Koreatown for bbq, Silverlake, Hollywood Hills, and Topanga canyon for a drive in the winding hilltop neighborhoods. Breakfast at Swingers or Home state. Many days at the beach with white wine spritzers [It’s refreshing af, don’t talk sh#t]. These are just my spots though and everyone here will be ready to tell you theirs too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off, I’d shoutout to my brother who always believed in me no matter what I did. He was always a big inspiration in my life and pushed me a lot to think smarter and be better. He passed away in a fatal car accident on the 10 freeway one month before I moved to California. I spent the first couple years here just pulling myself together and after his passing I had to evaluate my purpose in life. Do I keep living as if there’s a tomorrow, or if tomorrow may never come? That may sound like a dark thought when reading it but it was actually very liberating to find potential in it. Like, what am I living for? I owe a lot of my personal growth to him so he definitely needs to be recognized here. He saved me even in his death. With that being said I have to shoutout to his wife, my sister-in-law, for giving me a place to live and for being there for me even while she was struggling herself. You could say we had each other’s backs but really, she was there to lift me up, give me confidence, and cheer me on in a city that has no time to wait for me to wake up. She believed in me as my brother did and I love her dearly. She IS my sister. And lastly, I’d like to shoutout to my good friend Anthony who I was working with at a restaurant at the time I started really making an effort to move into fine art. We talked a lot about art. He saw something not only in my work, but I’m me, that needed to be let out and he pushed me to believe in myself. He challenged me to think critically about every aspect and was was there with me the whole way through this transition in careers. I owe a great deal to him for any of the success I’ve had, and will continue to have. Big love to you brotha!

Website: Josephsalerno.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/j_s_design

Image Credits
Joseph Salerno

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