Life & Work with John D’Acquisto

Hi John, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I started my quest in art back in 1996. I had some formal education in art Accademia. I started with pencil sketches and then advanced my medium to paint pens, colored pencils, watercolor and acrylic paint, and some oils. Then, later on, as years passed, digital became the craze. I bought an iPad with Procreate and began creating some pieces just as a hobby.

Then it happened… someone wanted to buy a piece of my artwork. I had no idea what to charge or what to do. I got through it with the help of some very good friends who were artists as a profession and also educators who told me I should pursue my dream and create some pieces for sale.

I had dreamt of pursuing a creative career but had written it off as a self-indulgent fantasy. Convinced it would mean a pay cut too far, or worried you’d end up ruining a much-loved hobby? By ‘creative’, I mean the things you’d love to do. The route you’d follow if there was no risk of failure. But for many of us, that creative path seems closed off by a big pile of doubt and uncertainty.

“Finding time to get started while still working full-time.” Or part-time even. So, I had to reposition myself as a creative artist and not just a person working in Major League Baseball and working to gain, and maybe I could do both. Doing a dual role of MLB and Artwork by John D’Acquisto was working out well for me and I was actually holding my own.

My so-called hobby was now becoming a stand-fast business, a sole proprietorship Trademark in the State of Arizona named Artwork by John D’Acquisto TM.  I was doing rather well with my business and felt confident that I could keep it going, the work confidence in your skill as an artist is the key to the success of an art business. Maintaining your creative aspect of the skills you developed as well as maintaining your business techniques and mindset.

Finding subjects to paint or sketch was becoming easy. I didn’t have a specific gallery per se. It was a virtual gallery on my website in a digital format. So, I had to become creative in my advertising while not spending too much yet being able to get my point across without losing focus on my artwork and getting recognition for my work. So, the journey began…

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were definitely obstacles and challenges that I had to deal with. My Mission was to make people happy with my art. To be able to paint a special place or person or their favorite pet, whatever the subject was, and put their special memories on paper or Canvas. My focus is on my artwork, not stereotyping myself on one subject but on many different subjects, and staying flexible.

I have a number of friends who inspire me with their beautiful ideas, and I have a plethora of inspirational points all around me. I paint what I feel when I get up, and I start on my inspirational highway. I don’t get frustrated with myself or with my family life I try to stay even-keeled and I really think that is the key to creativity. Let your mind fly, and let it breathe.

The obstacles were there; it got costly to get out my work of art, and I had to be more creative with my presentations and the sites I chose to show my creations. I tried different sites like Facebook, Instagram, X, or Twitter, and my own site called https://www.artworkbyjohndacquisto.com. Then, I started to get some recognition. Being an Ex-Major League Pitcher and working in the industry at Chase Field in Phoenix AZ, Friends started to see my work on the internet and started to friend me on Facebook.

I started to do special commissioned pieces for friends, and then Fox Sports Arizona wanted to do a special series on my work, which catapulted me to the next level. It wasn’t easy being a one-man operation and working in MLB also. My time was becoming limited. So, I had to re-master my schedule to be able to focus on my artwork and business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am now based out of my art studio in Goodyear, Arizona, and my focus is on color & black and White pencil sketches using iPad, PC and, art paper sketching mediums, acrylic paint pens, and watercolor, as well as a stylus called iPencil, Procreate for iPad pro 2 and Microsoft Visual Studio, I paint most of the artwork is sports related Major League Baseball and wildlife, and old world Scenes, with a touch of Western artwork and Native America Indian Art as well as many other custom pieces.

I have been commissioned by WINSTAR, LLC the owners of JUSTIFY the Triple Crown Winner, and did a piece called Crossing the Finish Line Triple Crown Winner Belmont Stakes. I have Licensing agreements through MLBPAA Vendor, MLB, and MLBPA First Choice; I am also a Vendor for the San Francisco Giants and participated in several projects for the Giants and some personal Paintings for a retiring executive on Canvas.

Also, I was chosen to do a commemorative pin for the Rickwood Field Game to be televised by Major League Baseball to commemorate Black History Month and the first professional game played by black players in 1910. I was also honored for my work as a past Player for the Giants who went on to be successful in another career role I painted 29 other players who were also honored as well as created Lapel Pins to display in the player displays.

My career in art has skyrocketed. I am proud of my work because I lived up to my promise to me to not stereotype my art and to paint what I feel using different mediums or combining different mediums into one. I have combined 5 different mediums on one painting at one point, and it came out great. Creating different art pieces with acrylic, oil, watercolor, and acrylic base watercolor inks.

I also do Major League Baseball players in action as well as Vintage shots of Hall of Famers and collectors’ items, fan-filled stadiums, and images that share the “Love of the game.” My Wildlife Sketches of the beautiful wildlife that has been granted to us to enjoy and respect are captured in full detail as never seen before.

My mission is to make people happy and to be able to save their memories on paper or Canvas. My focus is on my artwork, not stereotyping myself on one subject but on many different subjects, and staying flexible. I have a number of friends who inspire me with their beautiful ideas, and I have a plethora of inspirational points all around me.

I paint what I feel when I get up, and I start on my inspirational highway. I don’t get frustrated with myself or with my family life I try to stay even-keeled and I really think that is the key to creativity. Let your mind fly, and let it breathe. My brand is me, Artwork by John D’Acquisto, and my organization is me with help from my family. I do this alone for the most part. My confidence is high, and I enjoy my work.

I am most proud of two accomplishments. My very first licensed picture, a sports piece of Bryce Harper, and the picture I did for Justify since I am a horseman at heart, but what I am truly proud of is that my dream and idea came true. Now, I have to maintain and continue on my model of focus and performance. So far, everyone has been totally satisfied and most of all, happy, and that’s my goal.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I am proud to say that I have never had a piece of art returned to me because someone didn’t like it. It becomes personal for me to know my customer’s likes and that is what creates my success. When I do an art piece, it is personal for that individual. It has to be able to tell a story, bring the individual into the painting, and release their spirit. I have accomplished that.

Pricing:

• 8″x10″ $150.00 Art paper or Canvas
• 12″x12″ $275.00 Art paper or Canvas
• 12″x 16″ $325.00 Art paper or Canvas
• 24″x32″ $450.00 Art paper or Canvas

• 24″x24″ $525.00 Art paper or Canvas