Art of Seven - Joe Marino

Joe Marino Biography 2024

Joe was born and grew up in and around Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from high school in 1956. He worked a year at General Electric before enlisting in the Navy. Joe spent the next four years servicing and flying in jet aircraft. After the Navy, he attended college in San Francisco and then moved to Los Angeles to finish his undergraduate studies at San Fernando Valley State College, (CSUN|). Joe began teaching elementary school in 1966. He attended California State University L.A. and graduated with an M.A. in education. Joe continued with advanced graduate studies, obtaining Administrative as well as special education credentials. 

He taught learning handicapped students, including as a resource specialist teacher. He later became a special education adviser. After two years he was assigned as assistant principal in L.A. Unified’s special education centers. After four years as A.P. he was assigned principal at other special education centers for severely disabled students.

Joe retired as a school principal in 1999 and continued his love of sailing and masters track and field. Throughout the years he has taken drawing and painting workshops and classes that continue to this day. Joe loves drawing and painting portraits and figures. He’s sold a few paintings, but the real joy for him is painting or drawing portraits of family members and friends and giving them as gifts. 

He is forever grateful for all the wonderful people he has met and worked with throughout his life. Their friendship has been a blessing to him.