The Artist Caroppoli
I was born in 1967. My earliest memory of being an artist was around the age of four when I was finger painting in pre-school. My teacher noticed my artwork and commented “there is a future artist in the room”. For the first time a word was attached to what I was doing and what I wanted to become. The seed was planted. Art has always been a natural part of my life. It is my “seventh sense”.
Up until the age of 11 years, I spent my time moving every few months. However, during the summer of 1978 my grandmother, Anna Julia, was granted full custody of me. She brought much needed stability to my life. She was my mother and my father. Without the unconditional love, support, and guidance from her, I would not be the person I am today. This was one of the happiest times in my life.
I would later realize that the discipline and perseverance I acquired through sports would help me in many ways with my art. My basketball and track coach, Dave Bailey, was my mentor, teacher, and father figure, all of whom were missing in my life. I was drawn to the challenges of his discipline and performance expectations. I wanted to see if I was tough enough to handle his practices. I received more than I could imagine. Lessons learned on the court continue with me to this day. His lessons, discipline and perseverance, molded the successes of my life.
Upon graduation I enlisted in the Army. I did this for two reasons: 1) I was scared about my future and 2) I wanted to secure college monies. People were surprised by my decision to join the Army, but to be honest no one was more surprised than me. After graduation, but prior to leaving for Basic Training, I burned all my artwork.
Creating art was a dream, now lost to me. I began to believe what people told me about finding a stable and secure job. This did not include art. Burning my art work was my way of thinking “out of sight, out of mind”. I thought that if I could destroy all reminders of my desire, forget my dreams of creating artwork, and snuff out the flame inside me, then I could settle for a solid, secure job.
Over the next six years I would not create art. I completed my service in the military and returned to Central Pennsylvania to care for my grandmother. I found that “solid and secure” job with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Corrections. I began doing time as a correctional officer. After working in an institution for several years I witnessed many individuals wasting years of talent and life. Art called and I listened to my passion. I began “doodling” by creating jailhouse cartoons to lighten the mood of a dyer atmosphere. Coworkers would tell me “you missed your calling Caroppoli.”
More years would go by “doing time” in a State Correctional Facility. I continued to re-cultivate my passion for art. I indulged and experimented in different mediums like acrylic, watercolor, pastels, and charcoal. The only exception was oil painting. I was intimidated due to lack of knowledge and experience. My breaking point came in the year 2000 when I made the decision that I was not going to keep wasting time as so many others around me had done.
At the age of 33 and with 10 years of dissipating time, I retired from the State to begin a new journey, my true calling. With the love, support, and encouragement from my wife I received anointment into Art College. I graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design with a Bachelor of Fine Art. Ironically, my preferred medium is oil painting. I have come full circle in that the medium I was most intimidated by became my greatest strength.
During times of reflection I realize that my journey to get to this point required taking the long way. Some may call me “nut case”. Others would say I am a passionate observer in tune with humanity. Label me, categorize me, and criticize me as you will. I really don’t care because I will still be creating art. Just be certain to use your free will as that is what art is about. I never missed my calling, it is what it is. My name is Caroppoli. This is my story, so far.
