Summer Exhibits: Leesburg and Ocala

Winter in Florida has always been known as the season for art. Lots of exhibitions and art festivals take place in the paradise-like weather outdoors. However, although there are not as many outdoor festivals, exhibitions are still taking place in the cool indoors. I was fortunate to exhibit my art in two nearby towns, Leesburg and Ocala. The Leesburg Center for the Arts is the artistic hub in Leesburg. There are exhibitis, classes, children's camp, lectures and more. The exhibit From Deep Withing - The Artist's Closet gave the artists an opportunity to exhibit pieces that they may have not shown or forgotten. The opening reception had a great turnout. If you missed it, the exhibit will be up until July 20, 2024.

In Ocala, the Marion Cultural Alliance creates a thriving art presence in the area. The current exhibiton Midsummer Dreams gets you into the summer vibes. The exhibition is at the Brick Center for the Arts in Ocala. A beautiful summer display of various mediums and photography. Step into this cool gallery and experience the summer heat. The show will be up until July 7, 2024.

Time to Return

 Time flies ! 

Can hardly believe its been two years since I wrote on here. If you look at my last post, I had just relocated to another part of Florida. There have been many changes. Some good and some not so good, but such is life. 

As I become more familiar with the area, I have decided which groups to join in order to grow as an artist. In the past two years, I have met so many creative artists and  had opportunities to exhibit and sell my art. My 2023 The new year 2024 has inspired me to complete a few goals from last year. Stay tuned to se if i complete them this year. Happy painting in the new year!

Meditation in White

It's 2020!

A new year.....a new decade...... and an exhibition at a new gallery.

The National League of American Pen Women (Coral Gables branch) is a group of very talented women. We have artists that work in oil, acrylic, watercolor and clay. In addition, we have authors and musicians. 

This is our first exhibition of the year and new to:

Hernan Gamboa Gallery.

4000 West Flagler Street,

Miami, Fla. 33134

7-9 pm

We look forward to having you join us for our closing reception on January 24, 2020. There will be refreshments, great music, and, of course great art.

"Serenity" - Acrylic

"Come Fly with Me" - Acrylic

"Here's Looking at You" - watercolor

Irma's Fury" - watercolor/acrylic

National League of American Pen Women

You may ask what is the National League of American Pen Women?

It is the oldest women's arts organization in the United States (1897).  It is made up of professional writers, journalists, painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, choreographers, art teachers and directors. I am proud to say that I am now a new member of this prestigious organization.

This Saturday is our exhibition. Hope you can attend and enjoy the talent of all of these women.

"Starry Night" - Acrylic on Canvas

"In the Distance" - Acrylic on canvas

My Style? Don't Have One.

I always admire artists that you can definitely tell who they are by their art. It may be because of their subject matter, style or palette. This is great for marketing and business. I could do that since I have been told that seascapes are my "thing" and I love painting them.

I have given it great thought because I know people are right, my beaches seem to sell faster than anything else and will identify me. However, I find that I am inspired by the world around me and that is what makes me paint.I also get inspired by various mediums. Although, oils were my first love, I moved on to acrylics, watercolors and, most recently, alcohol inks. My subjects are varied, the only common source is that I love color, but it is mostly about my surroundings or inspirations from friends and their photos.

Here are a few samples of what I have painted lately...........

All About Landscapes

I recently joined the Homestead Center for the Arts. I wanted to be able to exhibit in another community. The arts are alive and well in Homestead!

The exhibit is at the Capri Restaurant in Florida City. Jim Accursio, owner, has provided an exhibition room in the restaurant in honor of his mother where we can show/sell our work.

This month the exhibition is about landscapes. It is one of my favorite things to paint, so I definitely wanted to participate. The exhibition will be up until January when another topic will be chosen. Come out and enjoy the exhibit, along with a great Italian meal. 

"Come Fly with Me" - Acrylic

Mesmerizing Marbling

It is so difficult for me to paint in just one medium, one style and one subject. My mind is always wondering and trying to move from one thing to another.  Although oil was my first love, and still is, I must quench my anxiety by experimenting with a variety of things. My latest discovery and obsession is marbling. I find it to be a very creative way to just enjoy the flowing colors on water. Doing this is pure enjoyment of color flow; no shadows, perspective to worry about,  just fun!

I saw a video on line and just had to try it. I learned there is even a type of paper for marbling and  special paints. You never know what exactly what will come out and that is the surprise and fun of it. I control the colors and even their flow on the water, the rest is left up to chance. The results are beautiful and always amaze me. 

I hope the colors and shapes also bring you joy. Stay tuned as you never know what will be my next obsession. Happy Holidays!

Funky Fish - Recycled Art

If you follow my blog, you may know that I have been painting sea shells this summer. I love the beach, nature,  and being able to create something from  nature's discards. 

Lately,  I have been seeing so may piles of plant cuttings on the sides of the roads. Mos of them seem to be palm fronds.  I have, in the past, painted palm fronds, but on a special type that is hard and able to hang like the ones below:

This year,  I am finding a different type of palm frond more suitable for creating than painting a seascape. They seem to resemble the shape of a fish, so I made my first Funky Fish, showed my family and posted a photo on my Instagram account. It was an immediate attention grabber. My 89 year-old mother and her caregiver got in on the production. On their daily walks in the neighborhood they picked up my "art" supplies. My Mom suddenly had a reason to get out of the house and looks forward to seeing the finished products. 

The Funky Fish are now available at Isabel's Fine Home Accessories in South Miami, along with painted shells, coconuts and driftwood, and the possibility of another shop carrying them. Who knew? 

Summer time and the painting is FUN!!!!!

Return to Grovehouse Artists

Many years ago, I was a member of a great little artist co-op in Coconut Grove, Grovehouse Artists. It was a nice place to exhibit and socialize, but the most important thing I took from that experience was life-long friendships. The group inspired me and exposed me to many other groups. It was through the people I met there that I was able to participate in art in public places: painting a peacock, which is still standing on Grand Avenue and the manatee that was displayed in downtown South Miami and now lives in a private home in the area. I was able to take the course with Debra Cortese "I'd Rather be in the Studio" that pushed me into social media; a life. and business, changing experience.It was also a workshop with Debra about licensing my art that sent me in that direction and I now have many products through DENY Designs, Kess Inhouse and Geckorouge.

I think you can see that a lot of what is happening in my life today had its roots with the Grovehouse Artists. I recently re-joined their group, which is now "without walls'. The work is on line and social media with exhibits that take place wherever possible in the area. 

We will have our yearly Deering Estates exhibit with an opening reception on June 15th from 7 - 9 pm. On this night, the Deering is free to the public and you are all invited. The piece below, and hopefully a couple more, will be on exhibit. Join us!!

• Date:Wednesday, June 15 Time:  7 PM - 9 PM Place: Deering Estate 16701 SW72 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33157

Bear Heading to the Square

You probably already know that painting people and animals are not my thing. However, I can make an exception when it comes to the Bear on the Square Festival in Dahlonega, Georgia. The town has many festivals yearly, but this one has become my favorite. The people took the story of a bear appearing on the square years ago and have now turned it into the most fun-filled music festival. Blue grass, food, art and friendly people are the ingredients to a fun weekend. One of the fun activities used to raise funds are the live and silent auction. Each year,  I say that I will paint a bear and donate it to the auction, but time gets away from me.

This year I planned early and painted a sweet bear heading to the square. This bear plans to take part in the festivities and play some music. This is the least I can do to support this festival and the town I have grown to love.

"Bear Heading to the Square" - acrylic on canvas

January Artist at Isabel's

Happy New Year!

We are only one week into the new year and I am fortunate enough to be the featured artist in January at Isabel's Fine Home Accessories in South Miami. You are all invited to attend the opening reception on Friday, January 8th, between 6-9 pm.

Effect of Creating

I recently started thinking how creating has always been a way to either calm me or uplift me, depending where life has taken me. I started to remember the time my husband joined the Air Force and I had to move with him to Colorado. I was leaving behind everything that I knew and that  felt comfortable. I was working and going to school and all of my family and friends were in Miami. Not to mention a BIG change in the landscape and weather. As a young girl, suddenly having nothing happening in my daily life, I was down in the dumps. My husband told me to go to the base and find something of interest. I decided to join a ceramics class. I did not know a thing about molds, slip and glazing, but I was soon immersed in creating. My entire family received something I made while healing. Just as I was in the swing of a new passion, we had orders to move to Fort Walton Beach. 

The only ceramic piece I have made in 1976.

Another major change, no family, no friends, no ceramics and the hormonal changes because I was pregnant. I was ready to pack up and move to Miami. A friendly, elderly lady in the building, saw me pregnant, and lonely,  and decided to teach me how to knit and crochet. She had no idea, but she was my life-saver. She got me the supplies, which I could not afford, and asked me to join the knitting group in the building.......all seniors.  The creative side of me took off with a brand new passion. 

One of the many pieces I have made since then.

After the baby came, I was very busy, but soon needed to do something,  since the baby already had blankets, booties, hats, sweaters, and more. My husband again stepped in and said that I should go to the town's recreation center and see what I could take up. He would watch the baby and give me a few hours to disconnect. I joined an oil painting class. I always sketched, but knew nothing about colors and mixing them. The rest is now history. I continued to paint for the next thirty years. As retirement was approaching eight years ago, I took up watercolors and acrylics. I also started to sell my creations on line in preparation for those long hours that awaited me with nothing to do. I must say that creating is a way of life for me now. I tell everyone that  making art is much cheaper than paying for a therapist. 

My first oil painting done in 1977.

They Want the Hat Back

I painted an art piece, “Nassau Daddy”, which stands on the corner of Grand Avenue and Douglas Road in Coconut Grove. I  wrote a while back how the school children’s excitement had damaged his hat. Back in January, I cleaned up the head and fixed the damages with paint.  

Apparently, the community felt that the hat was a big part of Nassau Daddy so they requested that I create another one. It is not easy making a hat without the model. I measured and got started. Without Mr. Nassau nearby, I had to create the hat in a different way. I started it and went back for a fitting. It turns out that I will need to complete the hat in the corner, on site. I need to leave the back of the hat opened in order to fit it though its head, then close it with mesh and plaster once I am there. It has not been an easy project. I don’t think I will do this again so I was glad to hear that the school bus stop has been moved from that corner. Maybe now, Nassau Daddy can keep his hat on for the rest of the summer……and the upcoming school year.

To view the making of “Nassau Daddy”, click here.

Creativity + Art = Longevity

This past weekend I attended the Sarasota Art Walk on Palm Avenue. It was fun to see wonderful art, meet new artists and listen to live music in a great area. During this walk, I met a 92 year old artist, named Sam. He is a “green artist",  painting discarded/recycled wine bottles and coffee cans. He trained in the 1940’s at the Art Institute of Chicago. Art was not the way he made a living, but  art was always a part of his life.  He was also sharing a few of the letters he wrote to his wife while in WWII and they all show his talent and creativity. (see below).

Sam is full of life and passion for his work at 92 years old. He told me he stays busy and does not want to just sit around like most people his age. His pamphlet describes the purpose of his art this way:

1. Free flowing expression of color.
2. How passion, inspiration, proper diet and wonderful relationships are the foundation of longevity.
3. And his search for spirituality – for the truly meaningful things in life.

Sam is a perfect example of how being creative, curious and evolving can help you stay active and happy. If you want more information from Sam regarding his art, you can contact him at papa_sam@icloud.com.

www.rosiebrowncreations.com