Joseph Lorusso was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1966 and received his formal training at the American Academy of Art. He went on to receive his B.F.A. degree from the Kansas City Art Institute. Born of Italian descent, Lorusso was exposed to art at an early age. Through several early trips to Italy, his parents introduced him to works of the Italian Masters. Lorusso would look to these influences throughout his early artistic development and they are still evident in his work today.

Lorusso's work has been shown both locally and nationally and has won numerous awards and honors, and has also been seen in Communication Arts Illustration Annual, Southwest Art Magazine, Art-Talk and US Art Magazine. Lorusso's original paintings and limited editions are part of many collections, and he is represented by many galleries throughout the United States.