Stan and Rose-Ann were both born in the “Year of the Rooster.” They met in Vicenza,
Italy and were high school sweethearts. After high school they were separated by
distance and drifted apart. Fate brought them back together many years later. Rose-Ann,
having found Stan’s telephone number on their high school website, decided to call
Stan. It was February, 2000. They were married in October of 2001.
Stan had a stroke in 1996 that left his right arm paralyzed. He visited Rose-Ann
in Boston and decided he would like to paint. Rose-Ann set up an easel, canvas and
paint and left for work. When she returned, Stan had painted a stunning painting
with his left hand (he had previously been right handed.) Stan is a self taught artist,
whose palette and style are ever evolving, Stan began painting in 2000 with his left
hand. He likes to paint landscapes, architectural structures and pet portraits
Rose-Ann studied art at Keene State College and The Corcoran School of Art. She studied
drama at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Rose-Ann designed and painted theatrical
sets in both Washington, D.C. and Boston, Massachusetts. She also taught art to at
risk children. Always busy with these commercial ventures, Rose-Ann seldom produced
her own work. Rose-Ann San Martino Bryda’s unique style is well known too many in
Fayetteville. She combines realistic paintings with ornamental designs in an effort
to provide contrast in depth, color and focus.
After they were married, Rose-Ann and Stan built a small studio in their backyard
and currently devote much of their time to painting. Both are previous recipients
of The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County Regional Artists Project Grant.
Their work is also on display at a gallery Fayetteville.
The Year of the Rooster paintings celebrate this couples distinctive painting styles.
They used the same image, composition and palette to create their own unique work.
