Joe The Artist

Mr. Izzillo started painting in oils when he lived in New England. There, he studied with George Cherepov, a famous painter who has had his art published in several books. Mr. Izzillo’s first efforts were still-life’s and autumn scenes in New England under Mr. Cherepov’s guidance. Mr. Izzillo also studied with Ted Gorschner, a published artist, and with Kita Macon, who was featured in an article in American Artist. He has also studied at the Silvermine Guild of Art.

An avid traveler, Mr. Izzillo has also painted in the Amish country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He has painted a number of Italian and French scenes from travels in those countries. He has traveled to the South Seas in French Polynesia and painted scenes of Moorea and Bora Bora -- the latter is often called the most beautiful island in the world. There, he felt the inspiration of artist Paul Gauguin, who moved to the islands and painted the indigenous people with such intense color. Mr. Izzillo has also painted a number of the 21 Franciscan Missions in California, stretching from San Diego to Sonoma. He has given talks on the Missions, illustrated with his own paintings. He has started a series of paintings on New Orleans doorways and storefronts.

In 2006, Mr. Izzillo’s painting of Kateri Tekakwitha (a Mohawk maiden known as the "Lily of the Mohawks") was chosen as a pictorial cancellation for a specially created U.S. Postal Service postmark on an envelope cachet. In cooperation with the U.S. Postal Service, this commemoration of the 350th anniversary of Kateri Tekakwitha’s birth was under the sponsorship of the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville, New York, and the Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine in Fonda, New York. On July 9, 2006 in Auriesville, New York, postal officials at the site hand-cancelled the envelopes. The Post Office had advertised this event in its monthly publications and on-line to collectors all over the world.

In Florida where Mr. Izzillo now resides, he has been painting in acrylics for the past three years. His paintings are often of tropical scenes, including Florida’s magnificent multi-colored birdlife and lush foliage, palm trees and flowers such as orchids and hibiscus. He paints portraits of Indians and cowboys. He is fascinated with colors and uses the full spectum of pigments on his palette to depict Florida’s tropical brilliance and natural beauty. To Mr. Izzillo, there is nothing more satisfying and exhilarating than transforming blank canvas into unique works that will provide visual pleasure for years to come.”

He has exhibited his paintings at the Hudson Valley Art Association and also in Greenwich, CT and Milford, CT. He has exhibited his western portraits at Prairie Edge Gallery in Rapid City, South Dakota. He has also had a one-man show at the Yah-Tah-Hey Gallery in New London, CT.

Mr. Izzillo paints landscapes, seascapes, western portraits, tropical birds, exotic flowers and Florida landscapes in oil and acrylic on canvas.

Joe The Father

Joe was born in New York City. He attended New York schools graduating from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1943. During his junior year in highschool he left for a while to join the Capuchins in Beacon, NY to study to become a priest. He stayed with them until late 1942 and then left, had a variety of jobs until he was drafted in March, 1943 entering the United States Army, Combat Engineers.

Joe served in the European Theater of Operations from January 1944 until January, 1946. While in England he met his future wife, Noreen. They were married in Leicester, England on August 4, 1945. Joe's cousin, Al, served as the best man at the wedding while stationed in England in the United States Navy. Joe and Noreen's first child, was born in England and their second child, was born in the Bronx, NY. They left the Bronx with their two children in 1952 and moved to Greenwich, CT, where they raised their six children. Joe and Noreen's six children's names are Dorothy, Bill, Denise, Joe, Mark, & Jeanne.

After serving with the Army, Joe attended Fordham University and then went on to St. John's University School of Law where he received a degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1951. He was formerly associated for three years with the firm of Glass & Lynch in New York City. He opened an office for the practice of law in Greenwich, CT in 1952. When he started practicing in Greenwich, CT, he was a partner in Marsh, Garrison & Izzillo. He is currently Of Counsel to the firm of Roberts, Rose & Bates P.C. in Stamford, CT.

Contact Information:
Joseph A. Izzillo
4907 Europa Drive
Naples, FL 34105
joeizz@embarqmail.com