The Klein Mezzanine Gallery
Artists in the present exhibit
Benjamin Casiano
Artist and Curator
Native New Yorker, Benjamin Casiano is an accomplished creative director, designer & painter. He received his BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. Painting was always his first love. Inspired and influenced by the great masters worldwide, But it's the women also played a crucial role in his life, which is why he pays tribute to them with his paintings.
Casiano’s work fuses expressionism and pop-cubism. Although he uses geometric and abstract shapes in his artwork, a prominent focal point is the one-eye figurative. “Most of my one-eye figurative are a reflection of my alter ego and a self-portrait of my subconscious,” says Casiano. “Im blind in one eye, but the irony is I was painting figures with a single eye years before losing my vision.”
Casiano always had a love for strings and classical music. “Music and art go hand in hand. I never learned to play but I at least paint my favorite musical instruments with the ladies,” he says. For Casiano, painting has proven to be a positive emotional outlet. His works have been exhibited in galleries in the U.S. and as far away as China. Recognized with numerous honors & awards. Casiano is currently exhibiting in New York City, Philadelphia & Paris. Numerous pieces are owned by corporations and private collectors.
His goal is to simply add something not seen in modern-day culture. Something different, something beautiful, one painting at a time. One exhibition at a time.
Jin Yu
Jin Yu, born in 1979 in Heilongjiang Province, China, graduated from Shenzhen University and currently works and lives in Shenzhen and Beijing. Member of Italy FLY ART Association and Shenzhen Artists Association. Jinyu attaches great importance to the expression of personality and spiritual outlook, paying attention to human emotions, emotions, traditions and the present, as well as the integration and evolution of different cultures. The images are shaped using classical aesthetics combined with the transformative interest of self emotions. In a wild and luxurious way, lines and colors are used to create a dreamy and emotional scene, forming its own unique artistic style.
His creations are mainly based on oil paintings, and his works have received widespread attention. They have been exhibited in art museums, centers, and galleries around the world and have been collected by major art institutions and collectors.
Patrice Barrett
I am a designer who loves to paint. What motivates me is making sense of colors and shapes, leading the eye across the page to rest on an important element. Analyzing why choices were made, and sometimes not - just accepting a serendipitous brush stroke or color mix. My purpose is to express myself in color and shapes, and to garner a response from the viewer.
Sometimes I paint because I want to make an image, or design something beautiful for it's color, lines and flow. It's a sheer exercise of power over my sense of composition and the medium(s) I use. There's a deep satisfaction in being skillful and bringing forth something that people look at and relate too, just because they find it beautiful for itself.
Sometimes I paint to illustrate an event that has affected me deeply: a loved one's heart attack and surgery, my grandfather's dementia and distant personality. These end up being my favorite pieces because they are emotionally driven and close to my heart. The viewer may see my message, share my emotion, or take away their own, but there will have been a connection made, feelings touched upon.
As subject matter, I choose most frequently to paint people. Faces in particular. There's so much to work with from the perspective that people can be enigmatic, fascinating and ever changing. The recurring design style of having two distinct sides of the faces is my way of saying that everyone, always, has one side they show to others, and one side they hide, no matter what the circumstance.
John Anthony Bright
Yvonne Claveloux
Yvonne’s passion for art was sparked while studying fashion design at Marangoni Instituto in Milan. Since then, her creative journey has taken many forms, from running her own interior design firm to working as head stylist for AtHome Magazine.
After taking classes at Silvermine Arts Center, the primarily self-taught artist began experimenting with different mediums, including acrylic, graphite, gesso and watercolors, finding joy in combining them all in her mixed media paintings.
Yvonne paints from her home studios in Westport and Miami, and sells and exhibits her work in several galleries and interior design stores.
Yvonne derives inspiration for her work from her many travels, Cuban roots, and colorful winters in Miami. She is often told that her artwork is a reflection of her personality…bright, bold, honest and with a lot of soul.
Herm Freeman
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Herm Freeman earned a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Indiana University in 1971. He studied painting with several major American artists, including Fairfield Porter, George McNeil, James Brooks, James McGarrell, and Richard Serra.
The artist draws his landscape inspiration from the motifs of Soutine, Cezanne and Courbet. He is represented by Phil Demise's 'a' gallery in NYC, and exhibits his paintings primarily in NYC and the Northeast. Recently, he was awarded ‘Best in Show’ at the prestigious Silvermine 51st Art of the Northeast USA Annual Exhibition.
Herm Freeman shows and sells his work primarily in the New York/New England area, but has also shown and sold work in Europe and the planet of New Orleans.
Christopher Jones
Christopher Jones is based in Norwalk, CT. Starting in 1973, Jones developed a career as a painter in New York. In 1988, he put his career as a painter aside in order to raise a family. He is now painting full time, picking up just where he left off. His work is available for purchase.
Education: MFA, Washington University 1972, Bachelor of Architecture 1970, Washington University. Member of the Silvermine Guild of Artist, the Artist collective of Westport and the Ridgefield Guild of Artists
Paul Landesman
Since early childhood, I have had a passion for producing work in the visual arts. In elementary school I stayed after class to make ceramics and silk-screen prints. As a pre-teen, I started an art studio in the basement and my father brought home rolls of plaster cloth for me to create sculpture. I built upon this love of art to incorporate beauty into the structures that I designed in my 35 year architecture practice.
My current work is the study of color theory, focusing on the interaction of colors and geometry. Developing my work across many mediums, I am currently focusing on drawing and painting in acrylics and pastels. All the colors of my paintings are individually mixed and carefully placed to emphasize contrast, balance and perspective. The small paintings take 2-3 months and the larger works take 6 months to finish.
looketha
looketha is an artist born, living and creating in Bridgeport, CT. As a self-employed artist, she creates paintings in a surreal character style. Drawing inspiration from the natural world including wildlife, humans and outer space. While at the same time tapping into more unseen realms like dreams, emotions, spirituality and the subconscious. Her characters come to life through improvisation. Repeated building up and breaking down of automatically executed lines and forms eventually produces a final image. The goal is for her characters to not only be a bit humorous and macabre but to also be powerfully evocative and bring a sense of wonder to the viewer. Often a canvas will be composed of multiple characters, either partial or whole, weaving in and out of one another. looketha likes to keep the viewer entertained and has high hopes that each time you stop to take a look you see something new.
Lauri Maclean
Lauri MacLean, celebrated dance innovator with more than twenty years’ experience at the helm of her own dance studio, is recognized in the regional creative community for her significant contribution to the field as both an artist and educator. Lauri now turns her creative vision to the canvas where she choreographs paint.
The subconscious surfaces through this process of visual alchemy as the subliminal emerges to create equations of line, color, shape. The parallel to dance is both obvious and engaging. There is great joy in translating the technique and passion of a dancer/choreographer to the movement of paint. Long inspired by the great Abstract Expressionists, I find myself compelled to bring forth my own vision. My goal is to create an evocative experience for the viewer. May my work serve as a catalyst for your own creativity.
Marsh
Marsh is passionate about creating happy & inspiring artwork. His kids are his inspiration and he hopes to make them proud by spreading the LOVE and sparking joy!
Why love? "As an artist, my mission is to spread the transformative power of love through my work, encapsulated in the word “love” itself. In a world often overshadowed by division and strife, I believe that the essence of God's love is a beacon of hope and healing. My paintings and murals serve as visual prayers, inviting viewers to reflect on the profound impact of love in our lives and communities."
Edmarie Martinez
Edmarie Martinez, born and raised in the exotic island of Puerto Rico. As a child she was always surrounded by art and creativity. However, it was not until the year 2021 that she discovered her true passion. On her way to discovery, she listened to her inner voice, grabbed her old sketchbook and decided to complete an unfinished drawing. Little did she know that this simple act would ignite an undeniable spark within her.
This desire to expand her artistic abilities led Edmarie to find the Milan Art Institute. With unwavering belief in her talents, she made the bold decision to enroll in the Mastery Program. It was here that she truly honed her skills and discovered her true potential as an artist.
As Edmarie fully immersed herself in the world of art, her life underwent a remarkable transformation. She began to see the underlying beauty within herself and made a conscious choice to believe in her abilities. Her journey towards self-discovery and creative expression became a powerful force that shaped her identity. By opening the doors to endless possibilities, she has embraced her true self and is ready to explore all that the world of art has to offer. With unwavering passion and a newfound sense of purpose, Edmarie Martinez has embarked on a creative journey that knows no limits.
Rich Patton IV
Richard Thomas Patton IV is an international contemporary abstract artist. His artistic process began at an early age. As a child, he showed an interest and talent in drawing, which later grew into a career and life as an artist. Richard majored in Art in Graphic Design from Western Connecticut State University, School of Visual and Performing Arts in Danbury, CT.
His art work is owned by private collectors in the U.S and internationally. Also part of public collections such as Yale New Haven Health’s Park Avenue Medical Center and The Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center.
Samuel Pintos
Samuel Pintos is a Peruvian figurative artist, born in the city of Lima. As an artist, he has been interested in exploring the different emotional and corporeal responses of individuals when interacting with others. His work depicts thwarted relationships, loneliness, and the cohabitation of lovers.
Pintos is a visual Artist from The School of Fine Arts of Peru (1999- 2005) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The National University of San Marcos (2013). He pursued a workshop program in painting at The Art Students League of New York (2005). Pintos has presented numerous collective exhibitions in Peru and in other countries, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and USA. Some of his works are included in several permanent collections and have been compiled in various publications.
Sharon Smalls
Sharon Smalls is a Bridgeport, Connecticut artist who balances her days as an HR professional and by night expresses her creativity through mixed media art. She embodies the belief that it’s never too late to begin a new passion and pursue the life you’ve always imagined. Over the years, she’s explored various creative avenues – from jewelry making and photography to crochet and graphic design – all of which have culminated into her love for mixed media. Her creativity extends beyond traditional canvases; she also transforms clothing into expressive works of art. Sharon finds inspiration everywhere, and her art is a vibrant reflection of her journey and desire to inspire others. With exhibitions spanning Connecticut and NYC, she continues to captivate audiences with her unique artistic vision.
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