Artists
Ava Young was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Although the whole family was creative in various ways, Ava had no interest in art and skipped those classes entirely.
It wasn’t until her daughter was grown and after a move to Tucson, AZ that she suddenly developed an urge to paint. Ava spent the next eight years studying abstract painting and exploring a wide variety of textural materials and incorporating them into a portion of her work. Three years ago she moved to Sarasota Florida where she still lives, paints, and creates.
Over the last fifteen years, Ava’s work has been shown in galleries from Florida to Arizona to Washington state. Her paintings have been purchased by private collectors and she has recently had her work featured on the cover of the Spring 2024 issue of Season magazine which covers the southern Florida art and music scene.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
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Barb Capeletti, a native Floridian, splits time between her homes in Sarasota Florida
and Banner Elk, North Carolina with studios in both locations. She enjoys both studio
and Plein Air painting. Barb has received numerous recognitions and awards including
Signature Artist and Best New Artist at the “Howard Alan / Coral Springs Festival of the
Arts”, and several People’s Choice awards. She recently received “Signature” status
from the Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society. Barb is currently represented by the Main
Street Gallery in Sarasota Florida, and exhibits in several local Florida and Banner Elk
exhibitions.
Watercolor allows me to express a wide range of emotions and share them without
using words. I use nature’s landscapes as a starting point to create expressive and
poignant statements rather then a literal copy of what I see.
I love the drama created by the lights and darks, the harmony of colors as they mingle.
The show they put on playing off each other. The romance. The playfulness. The dance
of the water and paint, the soft and hard edges. The delightful illusions as the water
creates its own designs and tells a story. To me, the paintings are alive; they breathe,
they fill me with emotion and bring me joy
I offer my interpretations of God’s creations in vivid colorist-style watercolor paintings, to
release the light and life of the great Creator into the lives of others.
Posted On Thu November 28th 2024
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I am an inventor, patent holder and glass artist. I see life through color, texture, and light. I have been called an “artrepreneur,” but I am simply pursuing what I love.
The design I have the privilege to share is playful and vibrant…it somehow pulls you in and delights you. The contrast creates a delicate balance. This wood and glass medium is my patented signature. I discovered the process when a friend shared her stained glass expertise. I wanted to simplify the use of glass with a higher level of detail. So, I requested her scrap glass and broke it with a hammer then put it back together the way I saw it. By eliminating the traditional copper foil and leading, I created a new process which removed much of the toxicity of the process and included the natural element of wood. This also assisted to stabilize glass in a detailed expression.
I have been fortunate to be included in some amazing private art collections. It thrills me that others share my passion for light, color and texture. Glass and wood create a vibrant mood!
This is a rugged design for glass and minimizes much of the toxicity from traditional stained glass processes. This patented application is ideal for fine art, but it also can be integrated into cabinetry, lighting, furniture and hospitality design.
It is my objective to demonstrate joy, strength and movement through the brilliance of glass accented by the warmth, texture and grain of wood. I am grateful to invent and explore this artistic expression.
Philippians 4:8
Featured Awards and Publications:
Sand and Sisal – Coastal Design Feature
University of Florida - The Big Idea Competition
USPTO Patent
Home Magazine - Artist and Award Winner
SRQ Online – Featured Artist
Gainesville Downtown Art Festival – Award Winner
Tioga Winter Fine Art Festival - Two Time Award Winner
Kitchen and Bath Business – Featured Top Trending Desig
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
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Danell Somers is a visionary artist whose work transcends conventional boundaries, combining painting, dynamic forms with strong textures , and compelling narratives that ignite the imagination. Based in the bustling creative hub of Naples, Danell has carved out a distinctive niche in the contemporary art scene, captivating audiences with her bold approach to mixed media and immersive installations. From a young age, Danell exhibited a profound passion for artistic expression, experimenting with various mediums and techniques that have evolved into her signature style. Her works often incorporate elements of painting, and sculpture, creating multi-dimensional pieces. An active member of the Naples art community, Danell is a board member of the Naples Art District sharing her passion with the community and others to explore the artistic culture around them. Through her multifaceted work, she continues to leave a lasting impression, enriching the cultural landscape of Naples and beyond.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
View Artist's WorkBorn with a love for exploration and nature, Danielle Ferrantino is a Sarasota local mixed media artist whose work is deeply inspired by the natural world and her intimate connection to coastal and mountain environments. Danielle began her journey by casting real nature onto palm tree bark nearly a decade ago, marking the beginning of her personal art brand "Driftheory".
Over the years she has refined her process incorporating Resin as the main preservation medium to immortalize the delicate details of nature on canvas. Each piece is a one of a kind creation that reflects the artists deep reverence and gratitude for the landscapes she calls home, weaving geography and location into each creation.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
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Creating my encaustic artwork allows me to blend my deep connection to nature with my experiences of living and creating on the road. I create full time, in a mobile studio as I travel the country.
Encaustic, an ancient art form using beeswax and damar resin, serves as a perfect medium to capture the fluidity and depth of my surroundings.
The natural landscapes I encounter—whether dense forests or tranquil shorelines—inspire the textures and layers in my work. Each piece reflects the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, the shifting colors of the sky, and the intricate patterns found in nature. The process of melting and layering wax mirrors the natural processes of erosion, sedimentation, and growth, creating a tangible link between my art and the environment.
Living on the road, I immerse myself in diverse ecosystems, drawing inspiration from the ever-changing scenery. This nomadic lifestyle fosters a sense of freedom and exploration, which I channel into my art. My work often incorporates elements of water, symbolizing both physical and emotional journeys. The fluid, translucent nature of encaustic wax allows me to evoke the movement of water and the sense of calm it brings, creating a meditative quality in my pieces.
Through my encaustic artworks, I aim to convey a sense of harmony and interconnectedness with the natural world. Each piece is a testament to the beauty and resilience of nature, a reminder of our intrinsic bond with the earth and the waters that sustain us.
Posted On Mon November 25th 2024
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Henry Martin is a mixed media artist living in Sarasota
and continuing a lifetime interest in photography and
the graphic arts. Henry's artwork is made from image
transfers, photographic images, and prints with acrylic
amendments. Many works are presented as fine art
inkjet prints or canvas prints using archival pigment
inks. All work is original capture, concept
and production by the artist.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
View Artist's WorkJames says he was born to be a sculptor.
James was always building something out of Tinker Toys or cardboard and scotch tape. It was not until college did he realize he had a gift. Early in his junior year one of his professors saw him struggling during a live model drawing session. He handed James a chunk of sculpting wax and said "here, try this". In a short time he had rendered the female model in near perfect proportion. It was as easy for him as drawing was hard. James has been a sculptor ever since.
James abandoned his artwork by 1981 when he took over the responsibilities for the family business and got married. He simply could not find the time to continue his artwork. However, that did not mean he let his skills atrophy. Fortunately, he was in a business (home furnishings retail) that required a great deal of creativity and artistic expression.
In 2008 his family business and other businesses were sold and his youngest of four children went off to college. It is with these lifestyle changes that he once again saw the opportunity to return to sculpture.
James works primarily in figurative bronze from small table-size to life-size public art commissions.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
View Artist's WorkJennifer Peck is a mixed media artist who constructs intricately detailed multilayered works of art out of paint, paper and an array of dimensional materials. Her love for coastal life inspired a move from Texas to the shores of Sarasota, Florida where the Gulf Coast’s beaches provide fresh inspiration. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado, followed by an adventurous career in the art business from San Francisco to Austin, she’s been exposed to an immense amount of art and ever since has been experimenting to develop work that is authentic and unique. She exhibits her work in the best juried fine art fairs surrounding the Florida Coast. Jennifer has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Texas and Florida, and is in private and public collections across the United States. Her joyful mixed media works are filled with stunning colors, fascinating textures, and playful whimsy. They celebrate the beauty of coastal living and tell a story of life at the beach!
Posted On Wed April 04th 2018
View Artist's WorkThe Portrait Artist Jay
Jay Li is a Chinese portrait artist who came to the USA in 1987 as a graduate student at the Catholic University of America and received his doctorate degree in Music Art in 1993. After retiring from Shanghai Conservatory as Professor of Cello, he returned to the states and started a second career as a portrait artist.
His portrait works are beyond just rendering likeness, his art clearly presents the personality of his subjects. Jay’s talent is quite diversified- his portraits also include pets, landscapes, and houses.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
View Artist's WorkJudy Saltzman is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, American Society of Marine Artists, Florida Watercolor Society and Women in Watercolor. She is the recipient of numerous awards and her paintings have been exhibited throughout the US and in Scotland, Spain and England. Judy currently serves as Vice President of the National Watercolor Society.
Judy has been featured in numerous magazines including Watercolor Artist, The Art of Watercolour, The Artist’s Magazine, North Light Books, and Fine Art Connoisseur. One of Judy’s marine paintings is published in “A Maritime History of the United States” and was featured at the ASMA US Pentagon Exhibition.
Judy’s adventurous spirit gives her the freedom to create from the heart and choose various subject matters to evoke emotion and movement into her paintings.
Posted On Sun October 06th 2024
View Artist's WorkMEET A TRUE ARTIST
Hi my name is Kelly Kearns and I consider myself to be a true artist. I have spent over 20 years honing my craft in the world of photography, and now I have turned towards the exciting medium of acrylic painting. With a passion for explosive color, dynamic stylization, and dramatic geometric shapes, I have developed a unique and striking artistic style that is sure to make an impact in any setting. Drawing inspiration from the mid century modern design movement, I constantly push the boundaries of art, creating bold and innovative pieces that stand out from the crowd.
Through years in the photography world, I have developed a keen eye for composition and a deep understanding of color theory, which is expertly applied to my paintings. Whether you are an art collector, an interior designer, or simply a lover of beauty, you won't want to miss the chance to experience my unique vision. I have a beautiful studio on Main Street in Downtown Sarasota.
A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of my art go to a non profit charity called Second Heart Homes. This organization provides housing and critical support services to homeless adults with mental illness who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.
Thank you!
Posted On Fri October 18th 2024
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I am a native Minnesotan, living now in Sarasota, but my soul comes from Hawaii, the tropics and the oceans….
My art hangs in private homes and businesses in many US states, coast to coast, and in Australia, London and Canada.
I’ve drawn since a young child…. And painted for the past 30 years; continually becoming less and less structured. My art is abstract, very bold texture and expressive. To me, it is very spiritual. Common interpretations are water, sailing & marinas, forests, evergreen trees and abstract florals. Colors tend towardsgreens, blues, purples, reds, naturals & metallics.
Works are an abstract expression of my dreams, my reality, my unknown existence to understand their origins, their meaning, their depth ….. a communication from light, energy and thought …. Of constant change …. And, with the hope of creating interest, conversation and the desire to delve into your imagination; to create a contentment in life and a desire to live.
With the use of a palette knife, vivid acrylics, genuine gold, silver and copper leaf. The pieces reflect a natural harmony a distinct texture and a depth that continues beyond ….
An individual expression.
Posted On Wed April 03rd 2019
View Artist's WorkI am a figurative and expressionist artist who works with children and Charitable Foundations within the community.
I am the youngest girl of fourteen children, born in a small village in Quebec, influenced by French culture. I have always had a love for Art, nature and people.
I studied fine art in Montreal, Philadelphia and the Ringling College of Art and Design. I express my love for people and nature with vibrant displays of colors on canvas. In 2017, I was contracted by a Montreal Fashion House to launch my wearable art clothing collection.
At the age of twenty-four I lost my one-year old son to leukemia. I was devastated and thought nobody understood my sorrow. His death led to my desire for helping people and getting involved with children and families in my community.
After many years of planting the seeds in my dream garden, this opportunity came through my artistic talent, creativity and passion for helping others in need.
During the Covid pandemic, I reproduced my paintings on fabrics to develop protective masks. A portion of the proceeds were donated to Foundations. I am also involved supporting my community with my Art partnering with different Foundations including Florida Breast Cancer Association, Selah Freedom and More to Life Foundation, as well as partnering in auctions to raise money for Ukraine.
I call Sarasota my home as well as the location of my Art Studio, Studio Lacroix located on Main Street. I participate in numerous Art exhibits. My artworks is sold in United States, Canada and Europe.
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
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About the Artist Mary Lou Johnson
Living most of her life on islands off Florida’s Gulf Coast, Mary Lou’s artistic creations are inspired by watery scenes and their infinite array of color, mood and composition. Retiring from her private practice as a marriage and family therapist and divorce mediator, she plunged into her love of photography and digital painting capturing God’s beauty around her.
The Lure of Sarasota and Her Islands is Mary Lou’s second book of fine art and is a companion to The Lure of Longboat Key which sold out in eight months and is currently in its second printing. This award-winning book was featured in New York at the International BookExpoUSA.
Mary Lou loves the exciting pursuit of the initial image as well as her unique creative digital painting process that transforms the image into her vision. Personally and spiritually, the process is challenging and fulfilling. She supports conservation of our natural world and strives to encourage others to observe and protect the beauty around us. With her images, collectors around the world bring exquisite outdoor scenes into their personal home, hospital and business spaces. Numerous art honors and awards include juried local, state, national and international competitions. Mary Lou was a Finalist in NY Times Square International Competition and a Finalist in Photographer of the Year for Popular Photography Magazine. Her images have been featured in The PPA Showcase, the annual book of Professional Photographers of America, Shutterbug Photography Magazine, Southern Boating, Sarasota Herald, Siesta Observer, Longboat Key Observer, Longboat Key News, and numerous other magazines and newspapers including covers of the Sarasota Magazine and The Longboat Key Isles Magazine.
Mary Lou regularly lends her creative talents to many non-profits she is involved with in the Sarasota area. When not traveling,
photographing, and creating new art, Mary Lou fills her soul playing with her precious grandchildren. In between those times, she loves playing tennis with friends, Peloton spinning, kayaking, running, and reading.
Posted On Mon October 28th 2024
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Patti is a self-taught artist with a background in interior design. From a very early age, Patti was interested in art, color, design and creating. Her grandmother encouraged her talents by providing supplies to fuel her creativity. Pursuing an artist’s life was always something Patti aspired to and her aspirations were realized when a failing economy convinced her to give up the design business and focus solely on her painting.
Patti specializes in art that is “by request”. Important life events and memories require documentation so she began offering her services to capture vacations, new homes, weddings, births, pets and other cherished objects.
Patti is a member of the Light Chasers of Sarasota, the Venice Art Center and the Oaks Women’s Club art group and has exhibited in shows sponsored by each of these organizations.
Posted On Tue October 22nd 2024
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Robert Johnson is a passionate artist who draws inspiration from Mother Nature and classical architecture. His work spans two distinct styles: realistic and whimsical. He often gathers ideas while riding his bike or kayaking, and his favorite local spots—from Venice to Anna Maria Island—are frequent subjects in his art. Sarasota’s beautiful waterfront skyline has inspired seven of his paintings, many of which are now in the Marietta Museum of Whimsy's permanent collection. Outside of art, Robert enjoys sports like tennis, cycling, kayaking, and walking his dog. His art is a reflection of his love for capturing memories!
Posted On Wed September 25th 2024
View Artist's WorkNestled in the vibrant art scene of Naples, Florida, Steve Nagy is creating sculptures that captivate your mind with fluid lines and curves that hold synergy and movement. Born with an innate artistic sensibility, and a degree in engineering, Steve honed his craft over decades, drawing inspiration from nature and the desire to problem solve. His unique ability to transform materials—ranging from foam and fiberglass to wood—into thoughtprovoking sculptures has led him to create masterpieces. Each piece exudes intricate interplay of light and shadow, the fluidity of movement, and the essence of the human experience. In addition to his sculptural practice, Steve is the co-president of the Naples Art District sharing his vision for the arts with the Naples community. Look for his newest line of large scale sculptures
Posted On Sun October 06th 2024
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ARTIST STATEMENT
How do we see the world? There is the expected physical world that surrounds us every day and the
elements of the world we see on a deeper level. Through the use of various mediums, including acrylic,
resin, molding pastes, watercolor, and other mixed media, my contemporary art explores texture, color
and juxtaposition of form and composition. My goal is to inspire those who see my work to look more
carefully at the world around them, and to, hopefully, discover beauty in a new way.
BIO
Steve has had several journeys in his professional and artistic life. He spent a major portion of his work
life as a practicing periodontist and dental school professor. After retiring from dentistry, he operated a
series of artisan bread bakeries in Pittsburgh. Along the way, Steve attained a personal trainer
certification to enhance his interest and knowledge in fitness and nutrition. Following the sale of his
bakeries, he joined his wife, Fern, as business manager of her financial advisory practice. He now finds
himself spending his time exploring his interest in contemporary art at his studios in Pittsburgh, Pa. and
Sarasota, Fl.
Posted On Mon November 25th 2024
View Artist's WorkMy journey as a photographer is not exactly like others as I didn't grow up with a camera in my hand. I was in a sense made a photographer by default when racing as an elite track runner after forming a team that was sponsored and I needed photos to do my job as the captain. It was then I realized how much I loved being behind the camera. So after years of working in the medical industry both as an emergency room RN and a pharmaceutical sales rep I left Corporate America and went full steam after my new found passion; photography.
I am self taught and love sharing "my" vision along with bringing you "your" vision when commissioned. I can sit for days in the middle of wild horses thriving in the mountains of Utah or capturing the amazing surfers as they navigate the waves of Hawaii. I love enlarging these images into brushed metals and glassy acrylics that bring an emotional connection along with a desire to know more.
My coffee table books are a labor of love in bringing you and others who enter your home a grouping of images worthy of viewing over and over carefully designed into a beautiful and quality book worthy of display in any setting.
So ....welcome to my vision. I would love to share my vision or help you to find and explore yours.”
Posted On Fri October 18th 2024
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