Sal Cosenza shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sal, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Thanks for the chance to have this conversation with you! Painting, for me, can have the power to slow down time in a good way. I think there’s just something about the immersion factor that the act of painting brings out in me, especially when creating something on canvas with a killer soundtrack blaring in the background. World building stuff, indeed, at least in my own head.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure thing! My name’s Sal Cosenza, and I was born in Arizona in 1988. Creative versatility seems to be my forte, because I’m an artist, author, podcasting co-host, former architectural designer, and current assistant teaching professor of Interior Design at Arizona State University. I’m also the founder of UNUM STUDIO LLC., which alongside my SAL COSENZA ART + DESIGN brand, oversees my artwork and publishing endeavors.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Believe it or not, the tragedy of 9/11 helped to inform my interest in all things New York, architecture, and design at an early age. From that point on, my painting output and storytelling abilities became more immersive and anthropomorphic. On a different note, I think that unfriendly competition breaks the innate bond that humans crave, and I believe that collaboration can help to restore that bond. This is something I try to foster with my students. The world would be a much better-off place-especially right now-if we exchanged in greater dialogue with each other.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Oh my gosh, where to begin? Well, pursue your dreams no matter what, for one. Get used to having to be patient, as another tip. And be ready to face future trials, but know that you’ll be better off for facing them, rather than avoiding them. Don’t fold, in other words.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I admire anyone with a healthy and sustained creative work ethic. As a somewhat different example, Frank Sinatra frequently often comes to mind, because here was a guy who (in a given year) might release half a dozen stellar albums, star in a movie, work the Vegas concert circuit, and host a TV show. I find such productivity inspiring.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I’d show more gratitude (more frequently) to the people I care about, I’d stop procrastinating, and I’d say “yes” to even more things that I say “yes” to right now. I’d also focus a lot more on ways to get my creative work to be more socially and morally clear, so that it can speak for me when I’m gone. But let’s not go just yet, okay? I still have plenty to do…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salcosenza.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salcosenzaartdesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sal-cosenza-4573b82a0/
Image Credits
© Sal Cosenza Art + Design, a division of Unum Studio LLC.
