
Mary Beth Sasso
& LuluBella
Memberships
Northwest Connecticut
Arts Council
New Britain Museum of American Art
Connecticut Pastel Society
Pastel Society of the
West Coast
Petaluma Arts Center
Creative Sonoma
Luther Burbank Center
for the Arts
Sebastopol Center
for the Arts
My art. My love. My peace.
"My art is a personal journey in which I see the beauty of life whether in a person, animal, place, or object. I am so grateful for my gift and love to share it with others."
I specialize in painting pastel portraits capturing the true essence of each subject. Each time I start a new painting I experience the purest form of contentment.
As a young child, I exhibited a strong talent in all areas of art with a natural ability to draw. At age 14, I began studying under the mentorship of Master Pastelist Claudia Post. For the next five years, I was Claudia's teaching assistant during my summers off from school.
I attended Paier College of Art and received a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Central Connecticut State University. Then went on to have a successful career as a graphic designer for 30+ years. In 2008, I reconnected again with Ms. Post and returned full-time to my fine art roots.
I'm an Adjunct Faculty Instructor of Art at Santa Rosa Junior College and an Artist & Mentor at my studio in New Hartford, CT. I teach ages 14-98 beginner-level pastel painting and basic drawing skills in private classes as well. I also teach beginner pastel classes at The New Britain Museum of American Art.
I'm a Certified Teaching Artist through John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I've taught art at various elementary schools in California and Sebastopol Center for the Arts Summer Arts Camp, and Petaluma Arts Center.
By immersing in creating art, the experience allows my students to be in a safe and peaceful place. To forget for a while about the adverse events in their lives. This is the most rewarding aspect of teaching. I see the joy in my students' faces of pride when they complete a beautiful piece of art for the first time in their life.
I'm an RYT200 Yoga Teacher as well. My passion for art and yoga enables me to offer workshops combining art and yoga for the mind, body, and spirit. A meditative and creative experience.
Maple & Main Gallery, Chester, CT
2010
Autumn Light Studio & Gallery, Avon CT
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Petaluma Arts Center Open Juried Show
Petaluma, CA
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
AQUS Cafe Foundry Wharf Art Exhibit
Petaluma, CA
2018
AQUS Cafe Foundry Wharf Small Works Exhibit
Petaluma, CA
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Spring Lake Village, Santa Rosa, CA
2018, 2020
AQUS Cafe Foundry Wharf
Vessels Exhibit
Petaluma, CA
2019
Sebastopol Library, Sebastopol, CA
2019
Vintage House, Sonoma, CA
2019
Santa Rosa Junior College
Petaluma Campus
Mahoney Library
Petaluma CA
2020
EXHIBITS