After a formal college education, John served a year-long airbrush apprenticeship, leaving to open his own business. He had a successful career with a national reputation as a commercial illustrator in Boston, MA., for 20 years. During that period, his work was published in many national magazines, annual reports, and publications, as well as posters and artwork for the music industry. Salozzo illustrated the rock band Boston’s “Third Stage” album cover, and he received a platinum album.

Salozzo's fine artwork focuses on thematic series of paintings, such as toys, music, landscapes, still-life, as well as a series featuring St. Louis icons, and many more.

He brings a quiet, elegant style to his paintings, even when using bright colors. His paintings are sometimes mistaken for photographs. He uses sketches and photos as references, but in most cases, the painting is an amalgamation of several photos, sketches, and things he invents. Salozzo uses both a traditional paintbrush and an airbrush to help me achieve the look for the final piece.