In 1886, he moved to Rome to join his brother Augustin Salinas who was there on a scholarship awarded to him by the government of Saragossa. The two brothers lived in Augustin's studio at Via Margutta in Rome. They became part of the Spanish colony of artists resident in Rome. Salinas also attended classes at the International Circle of Fine Art and the Chigi Academy, which was just down the street from his brother's studio.
In 1887, Juan Pablo attended the National Exhibition of Madrid. His initial paintings were of ancient and medieval subjects, which were influenced by his brother and the Florentine school. His later works were of every day life and 18th-century costume pieces within luxurious settings, ornate church interiors and popular genre scenes of Spanish and Italian life.
Salinas spent most of his painting career in Rome, developing a reputation among dealers and collectors for his rich coloring and delicate style and fanciful brushwork. Salinas, who was collector of antiques, used his collection as backdrops in many his paintings. He was also known to have used family members in his paintings, particularly his two daughters. Juan Pablo Salinas was regular exhibitor at various Salons in France and Italy.