FALL & WINTER HOURS: October - May Tuesday - Sat: - 10:00 - 4:00
Resident Artist: Judi Light
Whimsy Around the World
Judi is British born, Canadian raised and after much traveling now resides where she'd dreamed of for 40 years, namely Venice, FL. She is a featured artist at the Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy in Sarasota, Fl. and is a founding member of the Cottage Gallery.
Author and Illustrator of the Magical World of Twigshire books
After a lifetime of drawing fantasy characters and sculpting, Judi now creates whimsical characters and florals full time for the purpose of inspiring, uplifting and " Ramping up the Happiness Factor."
She works in ink pointillism, or stipple, watercolor and some mixed media. She is inspired by what she calls her "Up-line Connection", comes from her heart and hopefully stirs the joyful magic that lives in us all.
GUEST Artist: Heide M. Wittman
Resident Artist: Heide M. Wittmann
Heide moved to the US from Germany 30 years ago. She taught High School art. It was natural that she returned to what she liked most, etching and printing.
Natural Connection
As a member of the International Nature Printing Society, Heide creates monotypes, solar etching art and Japanese fish prints.
As a member of the International Nature Printing Society, Heide creates monotypes, solar etching art and Japaneses fish prints.
Guest Artist: Rae-Ann BayLess
I am a painter,
jewelry designer, mother, wife,
retired advertising professional,
adventurer and beach queen
who found her dream home
in Venice, Florida.
I love to explore the possibilities
when creating art and I am currently
finding my way using acrylics with
collage materials and mark making
to create a variety of mixed media.
My inspiration comes from everyday living.
from the ever-changing colors of the sky
and the ocean, to the fabulous Florida fauna
and landscape. I love to create a
non-literal subject matter using a rich,
vibrant color pallet with strong textures.
In my work, I want to give the viewer just enough
for them to visualize and make it their own.
Rae Ann Creations
Facebook: Rae Ann Creations
Instagram: Rae Ann Bayless
501.772.7412
Guest Artist: KIerra Light
I have been enraptured by Nature all of my life and for the past
15 years have been experimenting with texture, handmade papers, layering and color to capture its spirit and healing qualities.
I use internationally sourced handmade papers, molding paste and micro beading, Chinese metallic paints, water color and acrylic, leaves, gold and copper leafing. All are combined in a multitude of ways, to create magical healing art that is meant to take you on your own special journey, uplift and inspire.
Whether you choose a small piece to tuck into a corner of your
home or office, or decide on a larger creation to fill a bigger
space, my art is from my heart, and I thank you for bringing it into your life.
Commissions accepted
Text or call: 360-389-7452
Email: kieralight@icloud.com
Erlenbach Modern Art
My creative fount is deeply rooted in the principles of Modern Art, which celebrates the beauty of simplicity, the power of intensity, and the honesty of direct expression. The artist and philosopher of art, Robert Motherwell, has profoundly shaped my artistic journey.
As the world slumbers, I rise before the first light of dawn,
my mind teeming with inspiration. I witness the daybreak as it dances on the surface of the pond outside my window, and then I surrender to the calling of my muse. The exhilaration of immersing myself into the vibrant layers, rich texture, and profound depth of each image is an enchanting spell that beckons me back to my studio every day.
Art has a way of triggering thoughts and sparking dialogues, and I am enamored by such pieces. I have a habit of giving my works a title that acts as a conversation starter, inviting spectators to weave their own tales and sentiments into the canvas. As my artistic journey unfolds with each passing year, the unquenchable thirst to create, interpret, and share remains my constant companion. - Melissa Erlenbach
Currently ON display at the Cottage Gallery
“Just Float”, 27”x19”x1.5”, Pigmented clay slip paint, on archival Remay canvas mounted to cradled panel. No frame.
“Paradise”, 30”x40”x1.5”, Mixed medium on canvas. Not framed.
Guest Artist: Susan Preiss - Artisan Jeweler, Enamelist
Susan has been making jewelry in Florida for 20 years. After working with many jewelry media and techniques, she specializes in metalwork and vitreous enamel. The beauty of nature is the inspiration for much of her work.
Metal, wire and gemstones become living art through cutting, forming, stone setting, and the flame. With vision all things are possible.
Powdered glass brings metal alive with glowing colors after firing with precision.
Guest Artist: Deb Marucci
A Seasoned Artist
Deb says "Art is the human spirit made visible in whatever way it is expressed " (c) She has worked with many mediums over the past five decades.
Her 2 and 3D Metal Process
Deb creates a design and traces it onto sheets of aluminum. She then cuts it out with a plasma cutting torch or sends it to the water jet. She then grinds, forms, welds or fabricates to support the design. She paints with automotive or acylic paints and seals so that her art is suitable for indoors or outdoors.
Connect with Deb - www.dmaruccidesign.com
Guest Artist: Margaret Lacoste
Polymer Clay Sculpting
Passionate about color and working with her hands, Margaret started out creating mosaics. Once she found polymer clay, she became even more expressive and experimental in her art.
Now retired from the vacation rental business, she divides her time between New Hampshire and Venice. Margaret's full time artistic focus is in creating with polymer clay.
Colorful, Lightweight Jewelry
Before curing, Margaret blends the clay into the desired colors. She then rolls, shapes, twists, cuts and forms her designs. Her designs are so detailed they are sometimes mistaken as painted works!
Connect with Margaret - www.MargaretLacosteDesigns.com
Guest Artist: Judy Gilmer
Celebrated Abstract Artist
Venice resident, Nebraska born and Michigan raised, Judy has always been an artist at heart. From paper dolls as a child to abstracts and sculptures today, creating art is the most important thing to her, right after her family and probably her dog.
Artistic Dialogue
Whether Judy is using glorious colors or black and white paint, the process is the same. She makes the first mark on the pristine surface, be it canvas, wood or paper and lets the dance begin. She responds to what the painting is saying to her and continues back and forth until the dialogue is complete.
Connect with Judy - www.JudyGilmerArt.com
Guest Artist: Ivana Carli
From Venice Italy to Venice Florida
Ivana is from Vicenza, Italy and studied art and restoring techniques in Florence, Italy. For over 20 years she worked in Venice Italy restoring famous works and frescoes in museums and churches. Now residing in Venice, Florida and Ohio, her art can be seen in the States and Italy.
Rich, Classical Painting
Ivana uses rich colors and realism in her nature paintings. She says "Brilliant color speaks to my spirit and calms my soul."
Contact Ivana - Ivana_carli@yahoo.com
Guest Artist: Tim Smith
Award-winning Photographer
As a resident of SW Florida for over 45 years, Tim knows the local wildlife and where to find it. Tim is a member of North American Nature Photography Association and the winner of multiple national and international awards. He captures the most sought after wildlife close up and in stunning detail in such places as the Venice Rookery and Jetty, Myakka State Park and his own back yard.
Minimal editing
Although his processing software has many options, Tim likes to present nature naturally using minimal processing to highlight its true beauty.
Contact Tim - TimothySmith60@yahoo.com
Guest Artist: Gary Skelly
Unique Ceramics
Gary Skelly is a ceramics artist who currently
resides in Venice, FL. He has over 35 years
of experience in pottery, sculpture &
porcelain lighting.
His work has been in galleries in Florida, New York,
Philadelphia & New Jersey and can be seen in the lobbies of
two high-end residential buildings in New York City.
Gary works with both mid-fire and high-fire clays, firing
everything in an electric kiln. He uses commercial glazes as
well as glazes he mixes himself from raw materials. He has
also developed a few specialty finishes that he uses and has
extensive experience with Raku and Saggar Firing.
Some of his most recent works include these series;
Porcelain White Flames, Desert Finish, Carved Flora and
Holes of Light.
Contact Gary
guest artist: teresa comeaux
Pottery
I’ve always had a creative side, but it was only in later life that I had the opportunity and resources to explore that part of me. While my husband was stationed in Europe with the Air Force, I taught myself basketry and was a basketry instructor there for years. When we returned to the States and moved to Punta Gorda, FL, I continued to teach basketry at the local arts center that also had pottery classes. Although, already in my late sixties, I couldn’t resist the challenge of the clay. After two years of classes under the tutelage of master potter Jack Vartanian, he invited me to join his local pottery studio. Stoneware Pottery is a working pottery studio where I continue today learning, working, and displaying my work. Stoneware Pottery is located at 1080 Taylor Road, in Punta Gorda, FL.
I can be contacted at tascomeaux@hotmail.com.
I’m living proof, one is never too old to try something new.
Guest artist: Franck B. Johannesen - Wood Turner
Contact Franck
Guest artist: Jan Pronko
Clay Sculpture
Contact Jan - Jshawpronko@yahoo.com
Guest Artist: John Shaw
John Shaw is an award-winning photographer from Rhode Island. Whether in his own backyard or traveling to an ancient hilltop town in Europe, his photographs capture the unseen beauty in everyday people and places.
John's work has been honored with solo exhibits in New England and beyond. John Received first place recognition from the Venice and Englewood Art Centers. His images have also been published in various local newspapers.
He was also recently published in Southern Living Magazine.
Contact John Shaw
(401) 965-1308
Guest Artist: Cindy Vanagas
Cindy’s early interest in art lead to a degree in art education and teaching at the elementary and secondary levels. This broadened her appreciation for a variety of media. Always experimenting with different media, she has won awards in pastel, acrylic, watercolor, pencil, mixed media, and sculpture. Recently she has been creating paintings using the technique of acrylic marbling; a multi-step process that lends itself to producing colorful works of art that have unique & liquid effects. One of her acrylic marbling paintings was selected from more than 1,200 entries by artists from 30 countries and published in the book “Acrylicworks 2: Radical Breakthroughs”.
Horses, dogs, & wildlife have always been her favorite art subjects. Moving to Florida from the Midwest six years ago inspired her to create paintings of the beautiful native wildlife. Some of her paintings have been created to help raise awareness of animal abuse, neglect, and environmental effects on marine life. Prints of selected paintings are offered with a portion of the proceeds being donated to charitable organizations dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals, thus creating art that makes a difference!
