Colleen's career in fine arts has spanned more than 35 years, studying with notable contemporary realists at the National Academy of Design, NYC. Influenced by the loose brushwork of Sargent, Sorolla, and Beaux, Colleen found her own style, a melding of impressionism and realism. For Colleen, it's all about the use of the materials to create a beautiful painting, regardless of the subject matter. When working in oils, you will see her brushwork, fat over lean, different size strokes. "I am not looking to achieve a photo-realistic copy, but to bring life into the painting, capturing the essence, personality and character of the subject," states Gallo. Her work in pastel and charcoal is equally expressive. Colleen's portraits immortalize the young and old in moments of everyday life. Her B/W photographs seduce the viewer to succumb to a partially reveled, partially hidden sense of reality. She is also available for mural, trompe l'oeil, and faux finish work, for interiors.