If you stroll down to the bay early enough, you might spot Joseph “Warren” Alessi taking in the sunrise from his favorite bench, dogs in tow, chatting with neighbors. He’s called this neighborhood home for 15 years, and when he’s not soaking in the morning light, you’ll likely find him in his garage studio, paintbrush or marker in hand.

“I’ve always been an artist,” Warren says. “I skipped hockey practice in high school to take classes at the MFA instead.” Growing up in Boston, his love for clean lines and bold color started young, pinstriping motorcycles and cars before most kids had their driver’s license. That early spark became a lifelong career, earning him a reputation as one of the top pinstripers in the country. “People didn’t know my face, but they knew my name,” he says with a smile.

After earning a BA from Mass Art and an MFA from Pratt Institute, Warren’s focus turned to hard-edge abstracts. But the call of motors and metal never left. He went on to design and paint motorcycles and race cars, including several for British Leyland Motors. His work even made a splash at the 1969 International Auto Show in New York City, where he customized Triumphs, Rovers, and, memorably, painted the advertising director herself.

These days, Warren explores a mix of mediums: acrylic on canvas, enamel on metal or wood, pen and ink, and permanent markers on paper. His current series, Geocities, features vivid marker drawings that channel both precision and play. “Color and pure graphic design inform everything I do,” he says. “But my sketchbooks are all black and white, over a hundred of them. I draw. That’s what I do.”

He’s also found clever ways to fit art into smaller living spaces. “People have maxed out their walls,” he explains. “So I started creating long, thin pieces that fit around door frames and moldings.” Those inventive works proved popular at his first Kawha South show, Beyond Stripes, where most pieces sold.

Though he doesn’t often exhibit, Warren loves sharing his work one-on-one. “I sell quite a bit right from my home,” he says. “And I never miss a chance to walk anyone through my art.” His warmth and easy humor make it clear that for him, art is as much about connection as creation.

To see more of his vibrant portfolio, or to find a unique piece for your own home, visit jwarrenalessi.weebly.com.