CT - Milford

Octavia Byrd is an artist from Hamden, CT. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in studio arts. Her medium of choice are oil and acrylic paint on canvas and masonite. In her personal work she celebrates the natural beauty of women. She enjoys engaging in conversation with others and having a good laugh. Her goals are to bring smiles to your faces while having fun and bringing out your inner Picasso.

Since childhood Jaclyn loved to create. Born and raised in Stamford CT, drawing and painting was a frequent pastime until her training at The Rhode Island School of Design. With an interest in many art mediums, she earned her degree in Printmaking and minored in Jewelry and Metalsmithing as well as Psychology. Jaclyn's career followed the course of jewelry production work, art teaching and using art as therapy among a variety of populations. She has displayed her jewelry and fine artwork at RISD Alumni craft fairs, art events and galleries throughout Fairfield County. Her goal is to offer a fun and supportive environment where people can connect with their own inner artist.

Rita Charles is a mixed media artist who completed her studies at Southern Connecticut State University. Rita is currently finishing her master's degree at the College of Mount Saint Vincent for Art Therapy & Counseling. Rita enjoys learning about new cultures and traveling. She enjoys working with textures and creating images that reflect different cultures. Rita's favorite artist is Frida Kahlo. She ultimately wants to open her own art therapy practice in the inner-city community of New Haven.

Danielle LeBlanc is an artist from Stratford, Connecticut. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a BS in Art Education in 2014 and is a local art teacher. In her personal art, Dani primarily works with acrylic paint on canvas, focusing on portraits of her original goddess and mythology characters. Her original characters represent and celebrate different cultures and religions throughout the world. Dani enjoys teaching others and wants everyone to feel a sense of pride in their work. She is happy to share her knowledge of art techniques and give helpful tips to anyone, and hopes to leave you with a smile. To Follow Danielle's process check out her Instagram @dlecreations.

Donald is a local artist here in New Haven and has been painting professionally with oils for the past five years. His art style has developed from simple flat seascapes to mountainous seascapes and enhanced water reflections. He has also been commissioned to do portraits and stylized marine art. When he graduated college, Donald worked on commercial ships as Third Officer and Able-Bodied Seaman. On one voyage from South Korea to Portand, OR, Donald witnessed a winter storm with 30 foot seas for four days. Besides sea sickness, this event inspired him and gave him new respect for the oceans. Now he paints seascapes from memory with passion.

Teresa Gagnon graduated from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven where she majored in Art and Design. Her love of art was nurtured at a young age by her maternal grandmother Elizabeth who was also a local painter here in Milford. She uses a variety of media, including digital, watercolor, ink and acrylic. Her focus is on the symmetry and flow of the world around her expressed mostly through bold line-art and color choices.She is also heavily influenced by comic book art and enjoys using art to tell stories. Her artwork can be found on her [email protected]

Lucy is delighted to join the team at West Hartford Muse after several years working at Muse in Portland, Maine. She studied Visual Art and English at Bowdoin College in Maine. She loves painting portraits, writing poetry, traveling, being outside, and dancing wildly!