Sharyn Namnath is a unique blend of scientist, artist, hip-hop dancer and motorcycle racer. Sharyn works as a governmental computer research programmer & project manager. She has always loved art, but her career path took a different turn in college. It was not until she met the world class street painter, Tracy Lee Stum in 2001, that she learned about the ancient art form of street painting, rekindling her passion for art. Sharyn enjoys the large scale of street painting as well as the interaction with the visitors. She began street painting in her hometown of Santa Barbara and has been traveling up to San Rafael to paint since 2007. Sharyn will be exploring the element of earth in her feature painting. Her favorite subjects are furry animals, especially large cats, as she loves the texture of the fur and the expression in their eyes.

Amy Gallaher has been a self-employed full-time artist for 15 years and a street painter for 6 years. While commercial art satisfies Amy’s professional spirit, street painting satisfies her heart. She loves the scale of street painting and is more comfortable painting a 12-foot square on the ground than a 12-inch painting to hang on the wall! Amy loves the fleeting nature of street painting–there it is, being created before our very eyes, and we must appreciate it with all our hearts right now, because the chance won’t come again…like life itself. Amy’s Featured 2010 painting will represent the element Water. Visit Amy’s website.

Mark Cummings is a classical artist, trained at the Angel Academy of Art in Florence. This private atelier focuses on traditional technique, composition and rendering of the human figure. After graduating from the Angel Academy, Mark relocated to California, where he works in portraiture and allegorical figure work using the techniques of the masters to enhance his own unique style. Mark has been street painting for nine years. His 2010 Feature work will reflect the element Fire.Visit Mark’s website.

David Two Hawk Glazier is a Marin artist, drummer and Animal (spiritual) Medicine Teacher. David’s imagery comes to him in dreams, and painting and sculpting have been integral parts of his spiritual process since childhood. While David has long given away work as part of healing processes, in the past two decades, he has also created work on commission, ranging from murals to medicine bags. David has painted at the Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting for over 10 years, as well as competing in other street painting events. He appreciates the opportunity the Festival provides to support our youth and combine creative energy with other artists. As an Apache, David is drawn to Earth-centered images that acknowledge the deities of his ancestors. At the 2010 Festival, his work will represent the element of Air or Wind. Visit David’s website

International Feature Artists

Bruno Fabriani, a self-taught painter, was born in Serrone, Italy. When not painting, he works in the field of air traffic control. Bruno is passionate about the art of street painting and envisions his role as a modern storyteller. Unlike projects where an artist remains isolated in his own thoughts, street art generates an immediate sensation in the observer. For the past 13 years, Bruno has enjoyed taking part in the famous festival in Curtatone, Italy each August. His non-street art work can be found in public and private collections, as well as in various churches. For his Bella Terra featured square, he will portray his love of the Italian land from the point of view of someone who has grown up on it and loves it. Visit Bruno’s website.

Omar Sáenz Hinojosa and Jesús Alberto Carrizal Esquival will paint at Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting Festival as winners of Festival Bella Via 2009, a competitive street painting event in Monterrey, Mexico. Omar won his first drawing contest at age 9, but only began painting formally two years ago. He received first place in the “Theme Free” category at Festival Bella Via. He is currently studying for a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design at the School of Visual Arts at the University Autonomy of Nuevo Leon. Jesús was born in Tamaulipas, and now resides in Monterrey. He received first place in the Renaissance category at Festival Bella Via, where he has been painting since 2004. Youth in Arts is honored to have participation in our Festival awarded as a top prize for these talented Bella Via artists!