Meet Joseph Riccio

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joseph Riccio. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Joseph , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a deep faith and trust in both God and the universe. I truly believe that no matter what challenges come my way, there is always strength and guidance available if we remain open to it. I’ve learned that as long as I trust in myself and keep faith, i’ll be given the tools to overcome any obstacles.

As an artist, I am often my own harshest critic, constantly questioning my choices, whether it’s the next move, the color palette, or the direction my work is taking. But what drives me through those moments of doubt is knowing that my work has the potential to make a positive visual impact on others. Even if my art makes one person smile it is worth creating for. It gives me a sense of purpose and motivates me to keep going, even when times are tough. Creating art that resonates with others keeps me grounded, focused, and resilient, even when I am faced with whatever challenges lie ahead.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a New York native and graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology holding a BFA in Graphic Design. The featured subject of my creations are typically a variety of faces interlaced with color and textures influenced by the street art culture of New York City, These visages represent different life experiences, obstacles and evolving moods through a variety of mixed mediums.

My moniker “Clarity in Mind & Heart” ( CIMAH ) calls to my constant soul searching and faith to find peace and love amongst all. I like to challenge the viewer to aspire to their dreams and goals while uplifting my audience with the use of positive messaging. I invite individuals to find enlightenment and peace in an otherwise chaotic world. CIMAH is always seeking to achieve the highest form of self and aims on projecting good vibrations to all that he comes around.

I am deeply inspired by the natural world, the serenity of meditation, and the vibrant energy of street art. My passion lies in creation. Whether it’s painting a canvas, a wall mural, digital art, or decorating my clothes, my energy peaks when I am fully immersed in the creation process. I also find it very special to hear the viewers interpation and perspective on his work.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First, I would highlight the importance of patience. Growth as an artist takes time, and inevitably, frustration can tag along. For me, creating is similar to a rollercoaster ride filled with emotional highs and lows: there are moments of pure joy and times when I question if I’m wasting my time. However, the ability to push through challenges and keep creating, even when progress feels inconsistent, is essential. The journey is always evolving and can be particularly tough when you’re your own harshest critic. My advice? Set small, achievable goals instead of striving for perfection. Embrace steady improvement, experiment freely without any expectations, and most importantly accept failure as a valuable part of the learning process.

I would also like to touch upon creativity and intuitive workflow. Creativity thrives on a balance between focused effort and necessary rest. Understanding when to push forward and when to step back prevents burnouts and allows for much more inspired work. I learned the hard way that overworking can lead to frustration, mistakes and overall time waisted. Internal breaks are necessary to refresh your perspective and rekindle motivation. My advice would be to take full advantage of your creative rhythm but recognize when rest is needed. Don’t worry about meeting time expectations; instead, embrace the fact that you’re acquiring all the tools you need for your creative journey.

Lastly, I would say is creative exploration. Sticking to familiar techniques can feel safe, but growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Experimenting with new methods, materials, or styles can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and a deeper understanding of yourself and your craft. Flexibility in your approach allows you to evolve as an artist even if that means making mistakes when you are exploring. I would suggest trying to challenge yourself to try something different. Maybe its a new medium, a different subject matter, or an unfamiliar technique. The more you explore, the more versatile you become.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I am currently facing is honestly practice what I am preaching- finding the right balance between life’s responsibilities while trying to check everything off of my creative to do list. Nobody is perfect, and I constantly remind myself that this is a journey- there will be both productive and unproductive days. Instead of stressing over inconsistency, I focus on the bigger picture, which is creating art to make people happy. Sometimes it is easier said than done! To overcome this challenge, I have been working on maintaining discipline, while also allowing myself grace. I set realistic goals, establish routines that prioritize creativity without feeling forced. Most importantly, is trusting the process. In the end, I believe that the universe has a way of alining things when you stay committed to your vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://c1mah.com
• Instagram: c1mah