Posted at: 06/23/2009 2:30 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 06/23/2009 11:32 PM
By: Janet Lomax

The bright and colorful world of Romero Britto

Romero Britto's art is positive and uplifting. He uses bright colors and there is excitement and vitality in his work. That's how Nan Miller, of Nan Miller Gallery describes his work.

Miller says "He's big beyond belief.  He has galleries in Japan, Paris, London literally all over the world." Miller helped him get his start here. She knows a thing or two about art. Her gallery has been around more than 36 years.

There was something about Britto that caught her eye. "His bright colors and composition. His patterns, they give me a little bit of a "Matisse" (French painter Henri Matisse) feeling with his patterns, his bright colors and how he outlines them in black. It was different."
 
Miller became his publisher and distributor. The two worked closely for more than a dozen years. “When you saw his work at a gallery in Germany, it came from me in Rochester."

The two remain close to this day. The jet setting artist is jetting into Rochester for one night and one night only. You'll be able to meet him and see more than 50 different pieces from images to sculptures.

Britto has strong links to Rochester. Local artists have helped with the silk screening and spray painting and his wife is from the area so he spends time here.  One of his paintings is called "Keuka Lake."

Miller says "Romero's connection is with the Finger Lakes and Keuka Lake has always been one of his favorite locations." So this exhibit is like a big homecoming and for Miller who has a self portrait hanging, done by Britto, it is extra sweet. "I helped him achieve a little bit of fame and I've seen this man grow into the artist that he is today. Just to know that I had just a little part of it makes you feel good."

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