Julie Mortillaro is a self-taught mixed-media and collage artist. She lives in Plano, Texas with her husband and two children.
'Some people create with paint, some with pencils or pastels – I create with paper.'
My artwork is built around a central image or theme, which is always composed last. Paper, maps, fabric, paint and anything else that catches my eye is used to create depth and complexity. Simple everyday objects become art supplies. I cut, tear, twist, stitch and manipulate these materials to create colorful images and designs. Often I embed journal entries in the layers of my artwork. Not only is this cathartic for me, but it makes me feel that pieces of my soul are preserved forever in my art.