Sanibel resident Chris Christian has had a 35+-year career as an architect designing and building multi-national projects. Now retired, he is able to spend more time pursuing his interests in pottery, cycling, volunteering with SCCF, and enjoying Sanibel community events.
“I was originally introduced to ceramics as part of a broader based education in the arts to complete my graduate degree in Architecture and was immediately taken with the simple nature of a medium that transforms and reacts to heat and fire ,from something that washes away with water, to something that can last 1000 years in contrast to the complexities of building design. I enjoy the visualization of a piece before I begin and the directness of the movement of clay in response to the hands.
I work with both Raku and electric kiln firing methods on wheel thrown and hand formed pieces to produce an array of items such as bowls, vases, platters, canisters and hanging vessels and will often carve, texture and deform pieces, drawing inspiration from our island environment while attempting to avoid being derivative. I am interested in form, texture, positive/ negative figure ground studies, and experimenting with color through a combination of glazes and clay bodies.”

“There aren’t enough hours in the day and I can’t wait to get to work in the morning, or the wee hours of the night”. Artsy Tracy paints in both water media and oil, specializing in figurative  work and portraits of animals and people, and she happily does custom commission work. She says she knows she has succeeded in getting that something extra- the emotional nuance when her clients get tears in their eyes. Tracy says, “I like to make my clients cry. I try to paint not just what my eyes can show me, but what my heart sees.”

A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Art History and Economics. Her credentials include extensive formal training in Advertising and Graphic Design as well as Fine Art. “I knew I’d be an artist at the age of three. It was an epiphany moment I’ll never forget. I had wandered to our neighbor’s driveway only two houses away but felt so independent- a realization of myself.”

Tracy paints directly, alla prima -(all at once) by hand - without the aid of drawing tools. Her work is considered to be on the border between realism and impressionism, as she captures more than the essence of her subject-an unmistakable likeness but in a loose artistic way. She has participated in many one woman shows, Invitationals and won national acclaim.

Tracy is a Signature Member of the Florida Watercolor Society, a long time member and supporter of Arts for ACT, Fort Myers, the Hirdie Girdie Art Gallery on Sanibel Island, Lee County Alliance for the Arts, COCO Art Gallery, the American Impressionists Society, and Fort Myers Beach Art Association. She has studied under master level  instructors CW Mundy, Quang Ho, Carolyn Anderson, Chharles Milano, as well as many acclaimed watercolorists including Vlad Yeliseyev and Tom Lynch. The incomparable Richard Schmid, Rose Frantzen and Huihan Liu in-person demos have been a immeasurable asset.,Tracy enjoys teaching intermediate and advanced students and is continually raising her own standards through education and competition, having won numerous awards at local and state levels. Her work is in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

“Painting more than just a likeness, by seeing with my heart.”

ARTIST BIO-Tamara Culp moved from the high desert country of Colorado to Florida to be closer to water. Since childhood, water has held a special place in her heart as a sanctuary and a haven. A long-time jewelry artist in the mountains known for her silver landscapes, she began using pencils, watercolors, and soft pastels to bring to life the verdant greens and sparkling Gulf water landscapes of her new home.

Tamara was a World Economics major in school and is the co-owner of a software company, but she was always intensely interested in art. Over the years she has belonged to some excellent art organizations which afforded her the opportunity to participate in peer critiques and to form long lasting relationships with fellow artists of diverse mediums. She has augmented her studies with workshops both in-person and on-line though she considers her weekly plein air sessions her most taxing and rewarding teacher.

Tamara is a current member of the Pastel Society of America as well as the Colored Pencil Society of America and locally the Fort Myers Beach Art Association, the Sanibel Captiva Art League and the Southwest Florida Pastel Society. Her work has garnered many awards and has been included in national publications. Tamara loves to bring her visions to life and is always gratified when those visions also resonate with others.

ARTIST STATEMENT-My obsession with glass began in the early 90’s when we settled in Southwest Florida. At the time I was designing jewelry and wanted to add glass components to my artwork so I took a few classes at a local art studio. I quickly realized that glass was a medium that I wanted to explore further. Since then, I have taken many enrichment classes from master artisans from all over the world, building on those techniques to develop my own signature style.

I love all things ordered and symmetrical and strive for perfection in every piece I create. I am inspired by life’s beauty and my love of color can be seen in all my work. I am a member of several nonprofit groups that help promote the arts through scholarships, workshops and events.

ARTIST BIO-She was born in Czech Republic, lived for 25 years in Switzerland and lives now with her family in Fort Myers, FL.

Next to her education in engineering in Czech Republic and Switzerland she received an education in bobbin lace, stained and fused glass jewelry and jewelry using various metal wires. She designs and handcrafts jewelry using stained and fused glass, gem stones and glass beads as well as glass decorative art work. Her contemporary design appeals to creative, self-confident woman of today. Each piece of her jewelry is a handcrafted, unique original.

Her glass sculptures can be used as decorative items, as a base for flower arrangements or for display of decorative fruits. The interactive play of material, color and light enhances the drama of her artwork.

I was member of Naples Art crafters, The von Liebig Art Center Naples, Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs, Marco Island Center for the Arts. I am currently active member of SWFL Fine Craft Guild. She participates in various juried art shows organized by these organizations as well as other juried art shows, a. o. Rotary Club and Lions Club on Sanibel Island FL, Sanibel Masters Art Festival on Sanibel Island FL, Sarasota Masters Art Festival in Sarasota FL.

Her jewelry is on display in various galleries in Southwest Florida and is among private collectors in Florida, New York, New Jersey, Germany. She has been awarded to Second Merit Award for Fused Glass Jewelry at the Exhibition of Fine Crafts “Made By Hand” 2013 in Visual Art Center Punta Gorda, Florida.

Although not classically trained in art, i have always been interested in many medias in many forms. I did not have the opportunity to take classes or workshops until arriving on sanibel and finding a very welcoming art community. With the ability to learn about many forms of visual art i also found what i loved doing and what types of art give me pleasure.

Texture, form, images and words are important in my mixed media pieces. Mixed media gives me the opportunity to use found objects, photos and other bits of life. Paper in any form inspires me. My torn paper collages allow me to use paper as my paint to create images.

I have been working with a ‘zentangle’ form of pen and ink drawing. While i am basically self taught I find that the repetitive patterns are relaxing and interesting to do. I like the bold, intricate appearance of the results.

ARTIST BIO-JoAnn LaPadula is an award-winning artist who resides in Fort Myers, Florida where she moved from the Finger Lake Region of New York State. She is a member of Hirdie Girdie Gallery, Fort Myers Beach Art Association, Alliance for the Arts, and SanCap Art League. Her work has been featured on the covers of the SpotLight Magazine, Sand Life Magazine, in Gulfshore Life and in the Florida Watercolor Society online exhibit. Some of her works reside in collections from Guantanamo Bay to California.

After working graphic design for 30 years retirement gave her the opportunity to return to her interest in fine arts and she began painting in watercolor. Her signature style features a blowing/spraying technique and negative painting.

ARTIST STATEMENT- “I was not interested in the traditional watercolor style, so I attended a few workshops to find my own style. I say I am more of a ‘colorful’ abstract/realist rather than a traditional watercolor artist. Here in SWFL I am thrilled to say I was able to find people who have been a great inspiration to me, and I found the support I needed to begin my second career.” In addition to creating her own artwork JoAnn tries to inspire others by teaching a one-day workshops.

jlap917@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/jlapwatercolorswfl

instagram.com/joann.lapadula

I have worked in wood since childhood. My father, a Renaissance man, was completely disabled from a catastrophic accident as a postal service employee in Philadelphia. I was 4 years old then. He became my teacher.

When I grew up, I opened up a country store in the Poconos and made knives, muzzle loading firearms, furniture and other woodcrafts for sale over the long Pennsylvania winters.

Since moving to Florida thirty years ago to care for my elderly in-laws, I needed to find a woodcraft that could be accomplished without the use of gunpowder or the heat of a forge. Woodturning fits these requirements. Very quickly I was captivated by the hidden beauty that exists within the whorls and shading of wood!

Eager to apply my wood crafting skills in a new arena, I have taken woodturning classes at both the John Campbell and Arrowmont Craft Schools. My continuing education comes from them, the Woodturners of Southwest Florida, and the American Association of Woodturners.

ARTIST BIO-Creating art has always been one of my favorite activities, yet I did not receive any formal training until 2011 when I was able to take my first watercolor class. I was hooked from the very first day and have been taking classes and workshops at several SWFL area art associations ever since. Memberships include Fort Myers Beach Art Association 2023, Alliance of the Arts 2023, Cape Coral Art League 2011-2023. Currently exhibiting at Coco Art Gallery, Estero, Florida and Hirdie Girdie Art Gallery, Sanibel, Florida.

ARTIST STATEMENT-I love watercolor! Whether in the studio or out in nature, painting with watercolor brings me so much joy! Painting, to me, is a place of solace where I enjoy capturing the peaceful and happy aspects of life. I hope that those who view my work feel a sense of that joy along with me.

Much of my art is inspired by the beauty of southwest Florida, yet I find inspiration everywhere I go.
I enjoy painting a wide variety of subject matter from animals to florals to landscapes. My work is typically done in consecutive layers, starting with a sketch and light wash, then building upon and occasionally changing the composition as I go. Working predominately in watercolor, I do however like to sprinkle in a little mixed media from time to time - just for fun

ARTIST BIO-Marty began painting after completing high school. Looking for a novel challenge, while he had unencumbered days due to working an 11pm to 7am hospital shift as a psychiatric orderly, he purchased some paints and canvas board. He had immediate commercial success selling his creations at various community art shows. 

As a combined studio and art history major at Hamilton College, while pursuing premedical studies, he was mentored by Professor James Penny, former vice president during the 1940's
of the Art Students League in New York City. Professor Penny provided Marty's first formal instruction. Between semesters at Hamilton, he was also able to take art classes at Skidmore College and Cornell University. 

During his career as a practicing physician and assistant clinical professor of pediatrics, he continued to maintain a small art studio where he produced a limited number of pieces. More recently he has begun to devote full attention to creating varied images with predominantly acrylics, charcoal, and glazes on canvas, and also occasionally exploring the use of mixed media.. 

Being red-green color blind has led to interesting choices of color palates and fascination with light on objects. His compositions range from recognizable images to completely non objective displays. Sometimes he uses familiar signage to explore social issues. Ultimately, he strives
to create works that excite his own visual and emotional aesthetic and share them with others.

Penny has been shaping glass to create her unique art for over 10 years.  Her path began as an interest to learn stained glass techniques and evolved to include glass fusion.  Her unique eye for combining colors and shapes has resulted in many beautiful works displayed in her home and in galleries around the area.  With support from her husband, Penny uses their in-home kiln to create rare fusion pieces that give the impression of blown glass.  Originally from Iowa, Penny now spends most of her time on Sanibel island with her husband David.  She enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and their two pug dogs.

Penny’s love of walking the beach and listening to the ocean gives inspiration to several of her pieces which combine woods and metals.  It is not surprising that her art is glass which is derived from the sand itself…

ARTIST BIO-I am a 51 years old self-taught artist. Born in El Salvador, I came to the California in 1990, where I worked and learned the English language. I moved to Naples in 1993, where I have been living ever since. I have always liked to draw and paint, skills that came naturally to me, drawing and painting takes me to another place where I let lose my imagination. But I only took it as a hobby because I was afraid of criticism from people other than family and friends. I have worked as a carpenter and a handyman, both jobs used the material Bondo, mainly known for its use in auto body and wood repairs. I became quite skilled at using this material and soon I started to make small figures just for fun, but once again I did not take it seriously. On March 21, 2016. I was working on a construction site as a superintendent. That day! was performing a roof inspection with the city inspector and a few other coworkers. Somehow, I fell from a roof, four stories down an unfinished section of the roof. After almost 4 months in the hospital. I am blessed and grateful to be alive. I am now physically limited in what I can do. I have pain but have learned to live with it. I have been given a second chance at life. No longer able to work construction, as soon as I felt strong enough, I started to paint. I have painted many pieces and most of them, I gave away. By chance I took on a few sculptures in need of restoration; A life-sized sea turtle, a jaguar and a blue heron. In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, I decided to try to make my own life-sized sculpture from scratch. I sculpted a tortoise and an elf for my daughter, expanding to a great horned owl, which when finished, was exactly as I had pictured it in my mind. I was now ready to show my work to strangers and so I did. I did not get the criticism I was so afraid of eIther. Now I work on my art every day, pushing the limits of my body and my imagination. There is never enough sunlight in a day, I have pain, it is always there. but in working on my art it is easier to ignore. I am a father and my kids are my reason for living and to continue pushing myself until I can do it no more.

Bio to come

Laura's work consists mainly of acrylic and recently Batik/Watercolor. Her move from New York to Key West 28 years ago inspired her to start her painting career. Mainly self-taught, her aim is to create bright details, and fun interpretations of familiar subjects. A bit of abstract, mixed with wax and watercolor on rice paper. Slowing down from being a full-time musician, she has more time for her artwork. What influenced the majority of her art is her love for the beach, sea life, tropical birds and nature.

Laura is also a member of Ft. Myers Beach Art Association and a past board member. She has won numerous awards from the FMBAA and is an associate member of Harbour View Gallery in Cape Harbour Marina, Cape Coral.