José Rosa studied mechanical and commercial drawing at Central High School in Santurce. His first steps in art came through painter Rafael Tufiño, who gave free guitar lessons to children and young people at the San José public housing project. He went on to study graphic arts with Tufiño at the Community Education Division, at Domingo García’s Campeche Workshop-Gallery in San Juan, and with Lorenzo Homar at the Printmaking Workshop of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. From 1973, after Homar’s retirement, until 1986, he served as director of that workshop, where he refined his skill in silkscreen printing. His work often portrays humorous scenes from Puerto Rican popular culture, including bar life, dancing, politics, and religious traditions. In the 1970s, he introduced a new approach by weaving text into his compositions as a graphic element, often framing the edges of his prints. His paintings mirror his graphic style, emphasizing strong drawing, clean lines, and well-defined forms.