Cranford homeowners received a surprise in their mailboxes last week: a gorgeous 8×10 frame-able print of Julie Castillo’s original artwork! Julie’s painting of Dreyer Farms offers a glimpse of the rustic “behind the scenes” at Union County’s oldest continuously operating farm. It’s a timeless slice of life rendered so skillfully by Julie, and I’m excited for the recipients of this print to be reminded of how multifaceted Cranford truly is.

Originally from California, Julie now resides in Cranford (literally a stone’s throw from me!), so she appreciates this town’s beauty firsthand. She has worked as an illustrator for such renowned companies as Gucci, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, ESPN, and the New York Times. Her chosen art mediums are varied, including watercolor, oils, egg tempura, gouache, clay, pencil, and chalk, not to mention she is also a sculptor and ceramics artist. Julie is a member of the National Association of Women Artists and the American Watercolor Society. 

You can view more of Julie’s works on her website (http://www.juliecastillofineart.com) or in her Etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmallPiecesofArt).

I can’t thank Julie enough for sharing her talent with the local community. Cranford is lucky to have such accomplished artists in our midst! If you’re a Cranford homeowner, you’ll be treated to more artwork in your mailbox later this season . . . stay tuned!