Who is Caroppoli?

Many people have asked me why I do not have a biography. As an artist, I feel that art should speak for itself without any outside influences, including the artist's background. I find it difficult to believe that so many people are interested in knowing the artist behind the artwork. However, I realize that knowing about the artist lends credibility to the artwork. It is with some reluctance that I agreed to this biography. So, without further ado, this is my story:

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 that there was 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.

Up until the age of 11, I spent my time moving every few months between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1978 my grandmother was granted full custody of me. This was one of the happiest times in my life. After years of moving around, I would finally call Central Pennsylvania my home. I continued to indulge in art as my passion, my escape, and my release.

I shared my artwork with very few people. It was personal, private, and unbeknownst to me at the time, therapeutic. My childhood experiences were not "normal". I began to realize this as I observed other children with their families. However, I have come to realize that it is what it is and I am who I am because of these experiences. I would not change a thing. My grandmother, Anna Julia, 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. 

High school was a time for exploring more of my artistic abilities, but it was also a time for socializing and playing sports. Academics were not a priority. I did not take them seriously and did the minimal to get by. In my senior year, teachers lectured time and again about obtaining a job with stability and security versus having a career doing what you are and love. These teachers, along with friends and relatives, told me I would not be successful nor could I make a living by creating art. Even my guidance counselor had nothing encouraging for me. He believed I would end up in jail, like others in my family.

So, what did I do? 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.  It was a dream, now lost to me.

I began to believe the things that people told me about finding a stable, secure job, which did not include art. Burning my artwork 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 a solid, secure job with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. After working in an institution for several years I saw many individuals wasting years of talent and life.  Art called and I listened to my passion and began to "doodle". I started 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 working 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 waste anymore time as so many others around me had done.

With the love, support, and encouragement from my wife, I retired from the State after 10 years of service to begin a new journey, my true calling.  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. I never missed my calling, it is what it is. My name is Caroppoli. This is my story, so far.