About Julio Cotto

"Art is in my blood. I didn't go to school for art or decide to become an artist. I was born an artist. I will live and die an artist." - Julio Cotto

Julio Cotto was born in 1975 in New York City (Bronx). He was born into a world of art. His grandfather, Abednego Rivera, was an oil painter, photographer, and photograph retoucher from Ponce, Puerto Rico. His mother, uncles and aunts were also artists and, or musicians. His youngest uncle was a graffiti artist. He was greatly influenced by his artistic family, their Latin culture, religious beliefs and the city of New York.

At the early age of fifteen Julio started to use his talent as an artist and he worked as the associate artist for Bugged-Out Comics. This was a small, high quality, underground, comic book company that was started by two of his uncles in Greenville, SC. He inked and lettered "The Bugged-Out Adventures of Ralphy Roach," and "Dog Tags." At age 18 Julio had already created his own comic book, Red Nation, but BOC shut down before it was ever published. Julio states, "I love the comic work. You can see it in my paintings. I build strong and beautiful characters. I create bold contrast between light and shadow. I like smooth lines. I use powerful colors. I use a lot of black and I'm in love with the color red. My paintings tell a story or parts of stories. I feel that's what life is- a collection of stories." At age 23, Julio packed up his belongings and headed for the Low Country.

The artist states, "I moved to Charleston in 1998 to work on my comics and begin painting. Charleston reminded me of a small New York, with a charming southern twist." In 2001 Cotto began hanging paintings in various restaurants, bars, clothing stores, galleries and cafes. His works have been seen all over town including: Torch Velvet Lounge, Social Wine Bar, Tsunami, Charleston Harbor Gallery, Max Jerome, B'zar, Meritage, 52.5, The Trusted Palate, The Black Cart, Rock Aveda, Rosita Jones, Cumberlands, Elysium, Atomic Comics, Belle Muse, REDUX, Eye Level Art, all Kulture Klash shows and many more venues. Julio and his art have been featured in Charleston City Paper, Charleston Magazine, Charleston Barfly Magazine, The Post and Courier, Lucky Magazine and The Link.

Julio Cotto was voted "Best Local Visual Artist 2004, 2006 and 2008" by Charleston City Paper readers. In 2005 he received two Silver Addy Awards for his cover of Charleston Barfly Magazine. The painter and cartoonist was dubbed Flyest Artist by Charleston Barfly Magazine in 2004. Cotto has donated his time and artwork to dozens of charities and fundraisers, private and public including SPCA, SideWalk Chalk, REDUX, My Sister's House, AIDS Awareness, and Hunger Hurts Greenville. When Julio is not working hard in his studio, Underbelly Studio, he enjoys spending time with family, friends and his dog Clive. He is also an aspiring actor and writer. Find out more about the artist at his website juliocotto.com. Cotto signed with SCOOP Studios Contemporary Art gallery in July 2009 on his 34th birthday.
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