Urban Life
Ronaldo Byrd was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He is a Contemporary Hip “Pop” Artist who began painting at the tender age of 3. As an early teen, Byrd was accepted to and attended Art Instruction School, which boasts graduate, Charles Schulz. He graduated and received a Diploma in Art from Art Instruction School at age 16. While enrolled in the course, Byrd was also attending The High School of Art and Design in New York City, before moving to Burlington, New Jersey. Byrd then was accepted to and attended Burlington County Institute of Technology, where he majored in and received a Diploma in the field of Advertising Art and Design. Byrd is mostly a self-taught Artist who has developed his own style of art and his own characters, which he puts in phenomenal scenes. He has shown his work in several galleries, including a solo show at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Byrd and his artwork have also been featured in several newspapers and magazines. One of which includes, The Philadelphia Inquirer. He has also been a feature story on CBS 3 Eyewitness News. Byrd’s message to the world through his artwork is one of love and acceptance. His hope is to convey this as boldly and as beautifully as he can.
I am a Contemporary Hip “Pop” Artist who just happens to be on the Autistic Spectrum. My artwork focuses on the fact that everyone is beautiful regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. The bold colors I use represent the way I see the world. There is beauty in everything I see and I believe that everyone has something to offer to the world in their own special and unique way. Thus, I have been deemed “The Artist of Happiness” because of the joy that my artwork brings to countless people. My art and I represent differences and my hope and goal is for the entire world to be able to see beauty and acceptance through my eyes—-the eyes of an artist.
Urban Mosaic
Maries Joseph is a California‑based self‑taught artist whose passion for painting has been reignited following a professional journey in medicine. Inspired by “the unrivalled beauty, perfection, and aesthetics of the Divine Creator,” her work bridges abstract expressionism and nature‑inspired themes.
Today, Maries offers a diverse collection of original artworks in acrylic and oil, as well as premium canvas prints—each designed to bring hope, energy, and spaciousness into daily life. Her pieces range from immersive abstracts like Whispers of the Deep and Celestial Awakening to dynamic nature compositions such as The Kingfisher and Black Horse.
Maries believes art should not just be observed—it should be felt. It’s an experience that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect. Her work is perfect for collectors or anyone searching to transform a room with color, emotion, and divine resonance.
Art, for me, is a language of the soul—a way to express the emotions, energies, and divine beauty that often transcend words. My work draws inspiration from the natural world, the cosmos, and the quiet spiritual rhythms of life. Through vibrant color palettes, layered textures, and intuitive mark-making, I aim to create abstract compositions that evoke feeling, reflection, and connection.
As a self-taught artist and a former physician, I bring to my practice a deep sensitivity to the human experience—its fragility, resilience, and mystery. Each painting is a journey of discovery, guided by a reverence for light, movement, and the sacred interplay between chaos and harmony.
I believe art has the power to transform spaces and stir the heart. Whether it hangs in a home, gallery, or office, I hope my work brings a sense of clarity, warmth, and inspiration—an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Urban Symmetry: Reflections In The City
Raffi Bashlian’s photography beautifully weaves together themes of resilience and the complexity of human experiences. With a rich cultural background from cities like San Francisco, London, New York, and now Paris, Raffi infuses his art with a global perspective. His dual roles as a clinician and researcher lend depth to his visual narratives, allowing him to capture emotional nuances with scientific precision. The stark contrasts he observed during Lebanon’s civil war—where destruction meets renewal—serve as a powerful backdrop for his storytelling.
Through his lens, Raffi reveals the hidden beauty in everyday life, encouraging viewers to appreciate both the simplicity and intricacies of existence. Each image he captures symbolizes survival and transformation, inspiring hope and resilience in those who engage with his work. His art transcends traditional photography, creating an immersive tapestry of cultural narratives that foster connection and reflection, celebrating the essence of life and the extraordinary stories within ordinary moments.
Raffi’s award-winning portfolio spans diverse genres, ignited by a transformative safari experience in Africa in 2013. From the majesty of wildlife to urban architecture and vibrant street scenes, his keen eye captures unique moments that tell compelling stories. His understanding of composition, timing, and gesture reveals a passion for symmetry and balance, whether in striking black and white or vibrant colors. For Raffi, photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about seeing the world through a fresh lens and expressing his artistic voice. Each photograph reflects his commitment to uncovering the beauty and complexity of everyday life, inviting us to discover hidden treasures in the most unexpected places.
In the “Where Worlds Meet” exhibition, my photographic series explores the dynamic interplay of urban landscapes and the ethereal realms of imagination. I have always been very curious about our wonderful world and what it visually offers. What fascinates me about photography is the ability to start a narrative, while leaving it open for interpretation by the viewer. My work ranges from abstract compositions to simple and straightforward images. When I witness a scene, I strive to visualize it as I experience it, seeking the perfect angle and patiently waiting for the ideal moment and lighting to capture it. This process can be spontaneous or require hours of dedication. Photography not only feeds my imagination but also excites my mind. It takes me to beautiful places, both physically and spiritually. I find it to be a therapeutic and fulfilling art form. I hope you enjoy my work and find your own stories within it.
Through these works, I aim to build bridges across perceived divides, inspiring audiences to embrace the multifaceted nature of connectivity and coexistence. My artistic vision seeks to celebrate the beauty and complexity that emerges when different worlds, identities, and elements meet, intertwine, and coexist within the realm of artistic expression.
Urban Symphony
Maries Joseph is a California‑based self‑taught artist whose passion for painting has been reignited following a professional journey in medicine. Inspired by “the unrivalled beauty, perfection, and aesthetics of the Divine Creator,” her work bridges abstract expressionism and nature‑inspired themes.
Today, Maries offers a diverse collection of original artworks in acrylic and oil, as well as premium canvas prints—each designed to bring hope, energy, and spaciousness into daily life. Her pieces range from immersive abstracts like Whispers of the Deep and Celestial Awakening to dynamic nature compositions such as The Kingfisher and Black Horse.
Maries believes art should not just be observed—it should be felt. It’s an experience that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect. Her work is perfect for collectors or anyone searching to transform a room with color, emotion, and divine resonance.
Art, for me, is a language of the soul—a way to express the emotions, energies, and divine beauty that often transcend words. My work draws inspiration from the natural world, the cosmos, and the quiet spiritual rhythms of life. Through vibrant color palettes, layered textures, and intuitive mark-making, I aim to create abstract compositions that evoke feeling, reflection, and connection.
As a self-taught artist and a former physician, I bring to my practice a deep sensitivity to the human experience—its fragility, resilience, and mystery. Each painting is a journey of discovery, guided by a reverence for light, movement, and the sacred interplay between chaos and harmony.
I believe art has the power to transform spaces and stir the heart. Whether it hangs in a home, gallery, or office, I hope my work brings a sense of clarity, warmth, and inspiration—an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Usain Bolt
When I was in grade school and high school, I did a lot of art. I like to think it offered me an incredible foundation for what would come much later. In high school, I studied under Walt Bartman, doing oil painting primarily. I was accepted into the Maryland College of Art and Design on a figure drawing scholarship program that they offered to high school students when I was 16. After high school, I went on to pursue my other passion — helping people. I’ve spent the last 25 years working as a psychotherapist. Sometime in the middle of all of that, I had kids (twins), and eventually came back to drawing in 2017. What I do now is primarily self-taught, though I do feel my training and education as a child have created an invaluable foundation for my work today. I’ve watched countless hours of slowed-down YouTube videos and tutorials, and have spent thousands of hours drawing, practicing, and improving. It’s been a wonderful and challenging journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it! My goal moving forward is to continue to learn and challenge myself as I transition to art full-time. I feel the next step is to get my name out there to the art world. I have just recently started applying to calls via café, and have been accepted into a small handful of international juried shows. My goal as an artist is the same as my goal as a human — connection. I work to find the place where we all meet; that place where our differences recede, and we can settle in. That’s why I draw, to find that snapshot moment where someone can look at my art and go, Oh, yes. I know that feeling.
My artistic practice centers on portraiture—on drawing out the unseen essence of a subject and translating it through the delicate control of graphite. I explore the quiet power of detail—each mark is an invitation to slow down, to look closer, and to witness what is often overlooked. Every drawing is a form of deep listening, an act of attention that honors the emotional and psychological presence of the individual.
I believe hyperrealism, when pursued with discipline and sensitivity, becomes more than a replication of the visible world—it becomes a mirror, a bridge, and sometimes, a wound made visible. I’m fascinated by the complexity of the human face and the subtle interplay of light, texture, and expression that gives a portrait its emotional charge. As a psychotherapist, I’m naturally attuned to nuance, which shapes my artistic philosophy: that realism can reveal as much about the internal world as the external one. It allows me to build tonal depth slowly, almost sculpturally, honoring the patience, presence, and attention each subject deserves.
My style has evolved over the last eight years to a refined form of realism that balances technical control with expressive intent. I see art as a language, and my goal is to create a sense of atmosphere and feeling. I’m currently exploring new directions, including the integration of charcoal for its expressive depth and contrast.
My goal as an artist is the same as my goal as a human — connection. I work to find the place where we all meet; that place where our differences recede, and we can settle in. That’s why I draw, to find that snapshot moment where someone can look at my art and go, Oh, yes. I know that feeling.
My artistic practice centers on portraiture—on drawing out the unseen essence of a subject and translating it through the delicate control of graphite. I explore the quiet power of detail—each mark is an invitation to slow down, to look closer, and to witness what is often overlooked. Every drawing is a form of deep listening, an act of attention that honors the emotional and psychological presence of the individual.
I believe hyperrealism, when pursued with discipline and sensitivity, becomes more than a replication of the visible world—it becomes a mirror, a bridge, and sometimes, a wound made visible. I’m fascinated by the complexity of the human face and the subtle interplay of light, texture, and expression that gives a portrait its emotional charge. As a psychotherapist, I’m naturally attuned to nuance, which shapes my artistic philosophy: that realism can reveal as much about the internal world as the external one. It allows me to build tonal depth slowly, almost sculpturally, honoring the patience, presence, and attention each subject deserves.
My style has evolved over the last eight years to a refined form of realism that balances technical control with expressive intent. I see art as a language, and my goal is to create a sense of atmosphere and feeling. I’m currently exploring new directions, including the integration of charcoal for its expressive depth and contrast. I’ve just completed my largest piece to date—a graphite portrait measuring three feet tall and two feet wide—which has expanded both my physical and emotional engagement with the medium, allowing space for story, intimacy, and connection.
My goal is to create drawings that don’t simply replicate life but evoke it—quietly, powerfully, and with honesty.
Vasalisa Fiat Luxe
Leombruni is a Connecticut-based painter whose work explores the emotional and psychological dimensions of human experience through a lens of expressive realism. Janet Leombruni is President Emeritus of CT Women Artists. She is an Elected Member of the CT Academy of Fine Art, New Haven Paint &Clay, West Hartford Art League, and her work is part of multiple collections in the US and Europe.
Solo shows: Celeste LeWitt Gallery at UCONN Health Center, Arts of Tolland CT, the Monastery Gallery in West Hartford, Atrium Gallery at Raymond Library EH CT, FIAT LUXE at the Art League of New Britain, Workspace Manchester, CT. Leombruni has held artist talks at Kehler-Liddell Gallery in New Haven and the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, and was a featured artist for the CWA Art Chat Series. Her work is currently in the Hillstead Museum, Farmington, CT.
Group Shows: Jorgensen Gallery, UCONN, Mattatuck Museum Waterbury, Monastery Gallery, West Hartford, Slater Memorial Museum, CT, Barnes-Franklin Gallery Tunxis, CT, Flinn Gallery with the Greenwich Art Society, Theaterworks, Hartford, CT, CAFA at Lyme Academy of the Arts and Sill Gallery, Old Lyme, the New Britain Museum of American Art, New Haven Paint and Clay, SOHO20 Chelsea, NYC, KBM Gallery Riverside, CA, Rhode Island Watercolor Society, San Fernando, CA, dodomu Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, and San Rafael, CA.
Leombruni received a BA from Hartford Art School, an MA in Education from UCONN, and a Master Plus 30 in Painting and Art Education from CCSU.
In my work, I tell the stories of my experiences in the classroom. I also explore relationships, sometimes utilizing tropes or idioms in the form of children’s literature, myths, films, or portray stories as told to me by my students. I like to examine themes of hope, impulsivity, family, fantasy, innocence, and coming of age. My colors are powerful. Figures often occupy charged, ambiguous spaces, where gesture, symbolism, and narrative intersect to reveal underlying tensions between individuals and their environments. I seek to draw the viewer in, to elicit an emotional response. I like to ask the viewer to determine: What is really going on here?
Veiled Spectrum
Maries Joseph is a California‑based self‑taught artist whose passion for painting has been reignited following a professional journey in medicine. Inspired by “the unrivalled beauty, perfection, and aesthetics of the Divine Creator,” her work bridges abstract expressionism and nature‑inspired themes.
Today, Maries offers a diverse collection of original artworks in acrylic and oil, as well as premium canvas prints—each designed to bring hope, energy, and spaciousness into daily life. Her pieces range from immersive abstracts like Whispers of the Deep and Celestial Awakening to dynamic nature compositions such as The Kingfisher and Black Horse.
Maries believes art should not just be observed—it should be felt. It’s an experience that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect. Her work is perfect for collectors or anyone searching to transform a room with color, emotion, and divine resonance.
Art, for me, is a language of the soul—a way to express the emotions, energies, and divine beauty that often transcend words. My work draws inspiration from the natural world, the cosmos, and the quiet spiritual rhythms of life. Through vibrant color palettes, layered textures, and intuitive mark-making, I aim to create abstract compositions that evoke feeling, reflection, and connection.
As a self-taught artist and a former physician, I bring to my practice a deep sensitivity to the human experience—its fragility, resilience, and mystery. Each painting is a journey of discovery, guided by a reverence for light, movement, and the sacred interplay between chaos and harmony.
I believe art has the power to transform spaces and stir the heart. Whether it hangs in a home, gallery, or office, I hope my work brings a sense of clarity, warmth, and inspiration—an invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Venetian Elegance In Blue
Raffi Bashlian’s photography beautifully weaves together themes of resilience and the complexity of human experiences. With a rich cultural background from cities like San Francisco, London, New York, and now Paris, Raffi infuses his art with a global perspective. His dual roles as a clinician and researcher lend depth to his visual narratives, allowing him to capture emotional nuances with scientific precision. The stark contrasts he observed during Lebanon’s civil war—where destruction meets renewal—serve as a powerful backdrop for his storytelling.
Through his lens, Raffi reveals the hidden beauty in everyday life, encouraging viewers to appreciate both the simplicity and intricacies of existence. Each image he captures symbolizes survival and transformation, inspiring hope and resilience in those who engage with his work. His art transcends traditional photography, creating an immersive tapestry of cultural narratives that foster connection and reflection, celebrating the essence of life and the extraordinary stories within ordinary moments.
Raffi’s award-winning portfolio spans diverse genres, ignited by a transformative safari experience in Africa in 2013. From the majesty of wildlife to urban architecture and vibrant street scenes, his keen eye captures unique moments that tell compelling stories. His understanding of composition, timing, and gesture reveals a passion for symmetry and balance, whether in striking black and white or vibrant colors. For Raffi, photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about seeing the world through a fresh lens and expressing his artistic voice. Each photograph reflects his commitment to uncovering the beauty and complexity of everyday life, inviting us to discover hidden treasures in the most unexpected places.
In the “Where Worlds Meet” exhibition, my photographic series explores the dynamic interplay of urban landscapes and the ethereal realms of imagination. I have always been very curious about our wonderful world and what it visually offers. What fascinates me about photography is the ability to start a narrative, while leaving it open for interpretation by the viewer. My work ranges from abstract compositions to simple and straightforward images. When I witness a scene, I strive to visualize it as I experience it, seeking the perfect angle and patiently waiting for the ideal moment and lighting to capture it. This process can be spontaneous or require hours of dedication. Photography not only feeds my imagination but also excites my mind. It takes me to beautiful places, both physically and spiritually. I find it to be a therapeutic and fulfilling art form. I hope you enjoy my work and find your own stories within it.
Through these works, I aim to build bridges across perceived divides, inspiring audiences to embrace the multifaceted nature of connectivity and coexistence. My artistic vision seeks to celebrate the beauty and complexity that emerges when different worlds, identities, and elements meet, intertwine, and coexist within the realm of artistic expression.
Venezia
Kylo-Patrick Hart is an award-winning photographer and chair of the Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Texas, USA). He received his formal training in digital media arts while a student at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, with additional instruction provided by offerings of the Maine Media Workshops and Santa Fe Workshops. His photographs have been exhibited in numerous cities throughout the United States and in several countries abroad.
Photography has been my passion since early childhood. My motivation is to discover and capture the beauty, even when it is not always readily self-evident, that surrounds us continuously in all areas of our everyday lives. I believe the finest images are those that are serious yet playful, aesthetically appealing yet a bit quirky. As both an artist and an admirer, my favorite photographs tend to be ones whose contents speak loudly for themselves — even when it is not immediately clear exactly what they are saying.