Hampton, VA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/31/2011 -- Rising visual artist Masako Simmons will share the spectacle of surrealistic artwork when her paintings are unveiled as among the featured art pieces here Saturday at the gallery of Charles H. Taylor Arts Center.

A self-taught artist who starts making a name online for her impressive artwork, Simmons or simply known as Masako, brings for public exhibition her collection of fine paintings that convey inspirations of her own life experiences.

Influenced by surrealism, some of her paintings take back viewers to the era of surrealist artists Dali and Rene, who were best known for their striking and thought-provoking images in their surrealist work.

Born and raised in Japan, Simmons had traveled to Paris, and lived in London in her late twenties before residing in the United States.

Although she always had an interest in art, her career started as a fashion designer throughout most of her twenties. But many years of soul searching brought her to the realization that art is the true purpose in her life.

“Art provides me the opportunity to free my mind and completely bare my soul,” said Simmons, who aptly called her work “Bare Mind Art.” Her choice of medium is fast dry acrylics that can produce a wide range of effects, such as a watercolor look or oil painting like thick texture.

The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center exhibit will be the second art show for Simmons since taking her artwork to an exhibit that opened early this month at the Premier Gallery of Ghent, Norfolk, Virginia. Both exhibitions end in February next month.

The Hampton exhibit kicks-off on Saturday (Jan 29th) with an opening reception from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

Masako’s original artwork is also available through online store, http://www.etsy.com/shop/BareMindArt. For more information visit BareMindArt.com or email masako@baremindart.com