Toni Paolillo

Denville artist and storyteller

Toni Paolillo is a Denville artist and storyteller. For over a year, she has collected the life stories of friends, relatives, and strangers. She recreates them, posting videos of the story and creation process anonymously on social media. The “Anonymous Life Story Series” continues to be a monthly process and new creations continue to be shared on her social media platforms. In her newest series, “Memories in Motion,” she recreates memories of life on the road using acrylic paint. Her focus is on making the mood and motion while challenging herself with difficult compositions. She has also written and illustrated several children's books including, “Oops! I Squished the Tooth Fairy!” available in both e-book and hard-copy format on Amazon.

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Adelphi University in 2009 and Master of Clinical Art Therapy degree from Long Island University in 2012. She is a member of New Jersey Art Association and Morris County Artists Association in addition to the Denville Arts Council. Her art can be viewed this June in Mendham Library, Arts on Main Gallery in Rockaway, and Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Lakes. In addition, her second solo exhibition will be displayed in Arts on Main, Rockaway NJ. She will also be in a 2 person show this August through November, in Livingston, NJ, with fellow Denville artist, Caitlin Lodato.

Artist Statement

I am an artist, a storyteller, and a voice box to those who think less of their self-worth. Anonymous Life Story series has been an ongoing effort to collect strangers’ biographies and recreating them through art. I am in pursuit of fulfilling other’s untold narratives and giving them a visual and tangible validation. Empowering people to use their voice and find a way to be heard has been a pattern in my art career. I gain inspiration through other’s memories and am a storyteller. 2-dimensional materials help create their narrative. Each life story is documented and shared through my social media consistently. In sharing my finished product, I use videos to document the process with a song that gives insight of the life story. The art materials connect me to the story and what I create is a metaphor.

 Because everyone’s story is important and deserves to be heard.