About Joe Mustachia
Joe Mustachia is a Louisiana native whose art is deeply rooted in the culture and character of New Orleans. His journey began in the late 1980s while studying at the University of New Orleans, where he first explored his love for drawing and painting. Though life eventually pulled him toward business and raising a family, that creative spark never faded. Decades later, the passing of the family dog, Bosco, quietly reopened the door. Joe picked up a pencil and sketched a tribute to their beloved pet. His wife’s reaction to the portrait reminded him of the joy art once brought—and could again. Not long after, a simple request to paint a can of red beans sparked something bigger. What began as a personal moment quickly turned into a new chapter. Now based in Baton Rouge, Joe’s work has captured the attention of collectors and casual art lovers alike, globally. A breakthrough moment came at a local festival, where one of his paintings stopped passersby in their tracks. That response turned into a steady stream of commissions and support, helping Joe find his place in the region’s artistic landscape.
The Work
Joe’s paintings are rich with texture, energy, and a deep sense of place. His use of the palette knife gives his work a tactile quality - loose, layered, and expressive - while his signature hand-slung paint technique adds a rhythmic movement to each piece. Both styles play with nostalgia and storytelling, evoking memories and emotion in unexpected ways. Whether capturing the iconic Roman Candy Cart or the quiet strength of a streetcar on Canal Street, Joe paints scenes that feel instantly familiar. He also elevates everyday objects - coffee cans, jars of seasoning, a stack of dishes - into something tender and memorable. Each piece carries a sense of home and the small details that shape a life.
Joe’s art isn’t just something to look at, it’s something to feel. It invites you into a world where color and memory collide, and where Southern heritage is celebrated one layer at a time.