I had the opportunity to shoot a portrait of artist John Avelluto today in Brooklyn. Always a pleasure to work with him!
John was born and raised in Gravesend, Brooklyn, attended high school in Bay Ridge, where he currently with his wife and two lovely daughters. A first generation Italian-American, John has always been immersed in food culture, both at home and professionally. He worked for his father, Domenico Avelluto, at his two successful restaurants, first Mazzei on the Upper East Side and then Hostaria Mazzei in Port Chester, and spent two and a half years talking about fancy grapes at Long’s Wines and Liquors in Bay Ridge. John earned an MFA in painting from Brooklyn College, often mixing the concepts of food and art in the restaurant and his studio. With a specialty in faux painting and a wicked sense of humor, John’s paintings have awed audiences and garnered critical acclaim in ink and the blogosphere. A long time advocate of the arts, John is a founder of the 5th Ave Storefront Art Walk (SAW). After talking about food and grape for years, John is thrilled to be the proprietor of a dedicated wine bar in his neighborhood.
