I have been producing imagery since the mid 1970’s. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, I studied and played at Ohio State from 1968 to 1977—except for one quarter at OSU Medical Center ("resting"). After my first art history class I was smitten. Although I took the entry level survey course simply as a way to meet girls, the professor was so good I signed up for the next course and did a major! Sure, the girls were absolutely fabulous (beyond fabulous, actually). But they were also fabulous in urban sociology, archaeology and even mixed lacrosse. I ended up in the Studio Arts. My father was an architect who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, so I guess it was pre-destined. But I had no idea how suited I was for creative activity. To make a long story short, I spent pretty much five full years and two more degrees in all the fine art disciplines except photography. I had keys to everything! Primarily, I was a painter and etcher in those days—lots of space, a press, no kids—but also loved the concept of art with found materials (“Give me whatever you want and I’ll make an object d’art”). It was the thrill of the process. I remember a time in the mid 1970’s, after recovering from surgery to treat Crohn’s disease, that I spent an entire week in the etching studio. 

I went on to Ohio University for grad school, again immersing myself in all the disciplines while receiving my MFA in printmaking, painting and sculpture (this may have been the first tri-major). I thought I would want to teach, and I did enjoy being an instructor, but I found the faculty to be uninspiring. Though talented, they didn’t seem passionate about doing what they were doing and I was turned off.  


Upon graduating I did curate a huge 10-artist outdoor art show/festival. I also had two major shows while there. Enter Rossi Pasta. I founded it as an avocation in 1982 and it would consume 18 years of my life. It also provided every creative outlet anyone like me could ever dream of: a three-dimensional handmade product line, promotional writing, marketing imagery, and stand-up comedy for bus tours of our factory. There was never a time when I was not spewing forth. Even today I host cooking schools, demo’s and school programs.

Then my family suddenly burst onto the stage. Spontaneously marrying into a family of two girls (ages one and two) in 1986, Buffi and I had four more children—for a net inventory of six! I still can’t believe it. Ironically, having grown up with five sisters, I had vowed to pursue peace for the rest of my life. Like Rossi Pasta, the family is like performance art; “Six kids? Are you putting me on God??” "Ah, no John. This really is your life!” But that’s another play. To be continued…

~ John


ABOUT JOHN

John Rossi’s work has been called colorful, dynamic, controversial, compelling and intimate—original works and objects de art to buttons, postcards, greeting cards and posters. It is at times tender, at times fascinatingly reckless, yet always very telling of its creator. Whether inspired by triumph, tragedy or the galaxy of emotions in between, the artistry of John Rossi presents the compelling humanity of an artist that shares the story of his life through the brilliance of his work.