BIO: My name is Kim Martillotta-Muscarella. For the purposes of my artwork I go by Martillotta.

I am a 53 year old artist, and I live in Albion, New York, just 10 miles from the Lake Ontario Shore. I grew up on the Great Lake Plains and have lived here for all but a few years of my life. I have been fortunate enough to do some traveling here in this country and abroad and I believe this area is as rich in beauty and diversity as anywhere I have traveled.

I was married, had three children--two girls and a boy--and later divorced. I worked full-time and put myself through five years of college, as a single mom. I received my BS degree in Studio Art in 1993. During that period I was unable to work on my art full time, however in 2002 I remarried and my husband has made it possible for me to pursue my artwork full-time now. I work in several mediums, and I would like to classify my work under Surrealistic Assemblage Art.

This work is Decopage/Collage. For the last twenty years I worked on my "dreamlike" pieces and have found them to be humorous and very fun to do. It has been a great outlet for life's tough blows. My complete body of work from my earlier years as an artist were recently acquired and became part of The Elizabeth Collection at Artisan Works in Rochester New York.

ARTIST STATEMENT: I am an Artist. I have lived 53 years in the Lake Plains Region of Upstate New York, living just 10 miles from the Lake Ontario shoreline. When I was growing up I had a girlfriend whose home was right on the lake. I think it has been one of the greatest influences of my life.

From 1990 to the present I have worked in several medium. I sculpt, make art boxes, do photography, paint and collage. I call this work (examples seen on this page) Assemblage Art. Decopage/Collage has always been in the forefront. I have named my body of work "Dreamscapes". They have emerged from life's trials and tribulations. I have worked my way through nightmares like drugs, an abusive first marriage, raising three bi-racial children with no financial help from their father, and hard physical labor for many years.

Financially I have lived from week to week since I was eighteen years old. Between 1991 and 1999 I had two back surgeries and three knee surgeries. I am unemployed since 1999, when I quit my job at Albion Correctional Facility, a prison for women in Upstate NY. Thirty-five years of adversity has strengthened my resolve. I am 53 now and have a large body of work to share with the world. I am a positive thinker and a happy person. I am also glad to say that my children are all grown up now with great personalities. I am a grandma to five beautiful girls. I remarried in 2002 to a wonderful man. Life is sweet!

Before I begin any art project, I have to dress the part. I have two old sweatshirts and painter's pants that I have worn for 20 years. They are like my good luck charms. I always know I can do my best work when I'm wearing my artist's clothes.

My "Dreamscapes" are Decopage/ Collages. I search books, magazines, my file of photos, for a picture that catches my eye, which can be anything from trees to flowers to animals or architecture. These images are more often than not, colorful; however, I work in black and white also. When arranging images on the canvas, composition is the most important aspect of my work. I continually change the images around. When I feel it is right I affix the pictures with Liquitex Gel Medium. I use rubber gloves and rub each image many times in different directions to push any remaining gel out from underneath. This is part of the reason I do collage work. It is almost like working with clay. You really have to work it to get it where you want it. It is a release from brain to hand, from pain to peace. Humor is the second reason I do this type of art. In my "Dreamscapes" I try to create an eye appealing, entertaining piece. When people look at my work and they "get it" it gives me a tremendous feeling of pride. Humor really is the best medicine.

My idea of art is very simple. I use my God given gifts as a way to fulfill my dreams. Without my artwork I simply would not be who I am today. It allows me to leave life's problems where they belong, and to accomplish what I was put on this earth to do.... be an artist!

Kim Martillotta is a founding member of Artists of The Oak. She is also the founder and curator of Marti's on Main, a European style gallery in Albion, New York where works by members of Artists of The Oak (as well as other local artists) may be viewed Friday evenings and by appointment. Contact Kim by phoning her at (585) 589-6715.

Marti's on Main
229 N. Main Street
Albion, New York

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