Gallery on Main's Artist of the Month series continues with an exhibition of paintings by New Jersey-based artist Brian Romeo from November 1 through 30. Admission is free, and the paintings are available for purchase.

Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, November 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Artist Brian Romeo specializes in oil-painted portraiture and still-life. He received his undergraduate degree in Art Education from University of Maryland and did his graduate work at Kean University under the guidance of renowned artist Joanna Wezyk. Romeo is currently a Visual Arts teacher for his hometown of Edison Township.

In his artwork, he is often guided by narrative, symbolism, and thoughtful observation of shared experience. His subjects and composition typically hint at common (but often overlooked) references to decay, corrosion, or loss of control. Romeo names Rembrandt and Lucian Freud as some of his strongest classical artistic influences.

His award-winning artwork is in many private collections and has been exhibited in numerous juried group shows throughout the United States. Recently, his painting “Self-Portrait as Daedalus” received Honorable Mention from acclaimed trompe-l’oeil artist Natalie Featherston.

Romeo loves creating art and has been doing so as long as he can remember. His mother was an elementary school art teacher, so, he says, “our home was always filled with creative media and art-making materials” and this experience led both him and his sister to pursue art as a career. In addition to his own art-making, he has spent the last 20+ years as a secondary art educator teaching middle schoolers how to create as well as appreciate the art around them.