Meet Jay Maggio | Artist: original landscape oil paintings

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay Maggio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay, what do you attribute your success to?
My career emerged as a result of last resort. “Last resort” as a result of the mindset of the small community where I grew at that time in my life. The mindset there was “young man it’s great that you are talented but you had better get a real job”. I adhered to that mindset most of my life and after I lost my last job in the auto industry I had nothing to lose at that point and said why not give it a try. So the actual factor behind my success was to do something to survive and support myself financially. My thought process was that for my career as an artist to be successful I knew I had to be very good as an artist and make sure that my art would merit value. When the viewer sees the intricate detail of my paintings I think they will understand this. Of course you can’t just create paintings and expect them to sell you have to be very proactive in promoting your art. While some people regard art as a hobby, I have always treated my art as a very serious business. While I am a full-time artist and I do paint nearly every day and often say wherever I am I am always representing myself as an artist even though I like to treat my art business as a separate entity and not as something I just do on the side like anyone would do with a private business of any kind. My art is my livelihood and primary source of income.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the one of the great lessons I have learned was not to adhere to traditional teachings. There are very traditional thoughts of how to paint, what mediums to use, where the horizons should be, what time of days is best to paint shadows, etc.. I’ve taken this advice and sometimes did the opposite of what is taught. My thought process here is that if you tend to follow strict guidelines by the way you are taught then there may be a tendency for your art to look like everyone else that also follows those strict guidelines. In my opinion there are no limits to how an artist can paint and produce art. The options are as numerous as there are stars in the universe. I think I am successful today by not resting on my laurels and to continue to learn and evolve. I’ll add that you can also learn a lot by making some mistakes along the way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This month has marked 32 years that I have now lived in Dallas. I often say that moving here was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. As locals like me like to say “I got here as quick as I could” (wink, wink)! This city has grown so very much in all those years and really now offers such a color variety of neighborhoods and entertainment districts with a vast variety of environments. Of course as an artist I would have to bring attention to the Design District which is perhaps the fastest emerging neighborhood in the city. In recent years there had been the opening of the beautiful new Virgin Hotel but the district has a growing list of new restaurants, art galleries, home furnishing showrooms and other entertainment venues. It has truly become a very popular destination.

I also have to mention Oak Lawn, Dallas’ very well known gay (LGBTQ) neighborhood full of a variety of fun and entertaining bars, restaurants, clubs, and shops. The center of Oak Lawn is the intersection of Cedar Springs and Throckmorton Streets offering blocks of entertainment all within walking distance of each other. I have spent more than my fair share of time in this area over the years.

Deep Ellum is a must see spot, perhaps the city’s most vibrant neighborhood today teaming with a very eclectic mix of people and dozens of restaurants, pubs, shops, and live music venues. The vibe in Deep Ellum is infectious, you won’t want to leave and you can easily find something new an interesting on every block. The vibe is great!

There is also the Bishop Arts district for people that prefer something a little more bohemian and laid back. This district has expanded and nearly doubled in the size with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops with very unique offerings. The cafes and shops in this area are may be the best place to spend a casual lazy afternoon in Dallas.

Downtown Dallas centered by Main Street is also very vibrant today with many new and old hotels and the new AT&T Discovery District which is a must see. From the historic old Adolphus and Statler hotels to the modern new Discovery district there is a great contrast of old and new to see in downtown Dallas.

And don’t skip the Dallas Arts District centered by Flora Street and bordered by the beautiful Klyde Warren Park. This area is teeming with activity nearly all hours of the day. Outdoor yoga, theatre, opera, concerts, and the many museums including Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Asian Art Museum.

Also worthy of visiting are Dallas Arboretum, Fair Park, The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Meadows Art Museum, North Park Mall, Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Zoo, Trinity Groves, and the Galleria Dallas.

I am also an avid cyclist and Dallas offers many wonderful trails for cycling including White Rock Lake and Santa Fe Trails, AT&T Trail and Joppa Trail near the Trinity Audubon Center in the Trinity Forest, the beautifully landscaped Katy Trail, and the Trinity Skyline and Santa Fe Trestle Trails near the Trinity River near downtown that I personally frequent most often.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d have to give the most credit to Sister Anne Constance Livaudais. She taught several generations of my family and was the most encouraging and nurturing of me as an artist. A wonderful elderly nun with an endearing passion for art and nurturing attention to those interested in art. I have to also recognize the many friends, relatives, and loyal art patrons that have purchased my art and supported my career

Website: jaymaggio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymaggioartist/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymaggio/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jetjay

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039394705247 (Paintings by Artist Jay Maggio)

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/jetjay/

Image Credits
Images of paintings are of paintings currently in inventory of the following art galleries: CRAIGHEAD GREEN GALLERY in Dallas, TX, SUTTON GALLERY in New Orleans, and ON CENTER GALLERY in PROVINCETOWN, MA.