Featured Artist Louise Montillio

Louise Montillio presents an inviting selection of work from her portfolio and tells the story of evolving as an artist. See more of her delightful art here.

 

 

I am a Massachusetts-based artist who specializes in oil paint and digital media. I’ve always really enjoyed the challenge of painting highly detailed, shiny things.

 

 

But recently, I’ve branched out to include the other side of detail. Using large brushes, I’m painting a few soft, colorful, washy paintings that allow a little respite from reality.

 

 

An American citizen, I was born and lived in the Middle East for my first eighteen years. I was lucky to be able to travel extensively and soak up the richness of many different cultures. Fascinated with handmade things, I studied patterns and colors of oriental rugs, intricate jewelry, architecture, and anything else connected to human hands.

 

 

When I moved to the U.S., I had no idea that art would be my career. I sort of landed into it, having sent in drawings on a whim for a local art studio position. It became my life, not my job, and thankfully, it never stopped.

 

 

My pen and ink illustrations grew into watercolors, then acrylics, and for years now, oils. I’ve spent many happy hours at the easel, teaching myself to paint. For me, the learning is a big part of the happy.

 

 

My artistic life has grown into art licensing and private commissions for a variety of different spaces. My licensed artwork is geared toward designs and trends for homes and commercial buildings. It is reproduced on canvas, paper, furnishings, and soft goods.

 

 

A quick story about me and my licensed art: The first time I saw one of my paintings in a large retail store, I was shopping by myself. With nobody to share my momentous occasion, I found an older woman and asked her to be my mom for a minute and hopefully enjoy my achievement. I led her to my framed artwork on this giant decorative easel and she oooooohed and aaaaaahed appropriately, playing along. I’ve no clue as to what she actually thought, but that one-minute Mom was a jewel.

 

 

The commissions I receive are a lot of fun. I view these as collaborations with the client, with me as the interpreter.

 

 

My work is then specific to that person or place. I’ve found that many of those adventures teach useful lessons for the next project. An added reward is that they often spark long-term relationships.

 

Louise Montillio invites you to follow her on Instagram.

 

 

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