Shopping at Whole Foods Is an Artful Experience in Wellington!
Who would not enjoy multi-tasking when it comes to grocery shopping and looking at artwork? Whole Foods in Wellington makes it a habit to support community-based artists. They’ve partnered with Wellington Art Society by offering exhibit space and a catered reception for a member of WAS. The next one is February 15th! The Rickie Report knows you won’t want to miss Marie Letine’s artwork, so get your grocery list ready and we’ll see you at Whole Foods in Wellington! As you will read in this article, Marie is a multi-tasker, too! Her life philosophy keeps her focused end energized.
Artists Reception Honoring Marie Lentine
Friday, February 15th
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Whole Foods Market cafe
2635 SR7 Wellington, FL
Exhibit Runs Through February 28
Congratulations to Wellington Art Society member Marie Lentine who currently has a solo show of her artwork at Whole Foods Market! The Whole Foods Market on SR7 in Wellington has a large cafe, lined with windows which offer nice natural lighting. It’s a perfect setting to display art and Wellington Art Society is pleased to partner with Lauren Belinsky of Whole Foods to bring this show to the community. Whole Foods will provide music, hot and cold appetizers, and drinks. Please RSVP to Suzanne Redmond at sredmond75@comcast.net.
A Little Bit of Heaven
Marie’s artwork will be displayed in the Cafe, which is on the left side of the market. Marie paints in acrylic and watercolors and has a dozen paintings in this show. In addition, artists often bring limited editions and prints to sell the evening of their reception. Marie’s artwork will be on display until February 28th. Mark your calendars now for Friday, February 15 from 6:30 – 8:00. Whole Foods will provide a reception and yummy snacks and drinks. There is a $5. fee to attend, which is used for WAS Scholarships for local art students pursuing a higher degree in art.
Marie Lentine is an artist, yoga instructor and Holistic Health Educator. She began painting in 1981 and is primarily self-taught. Understanding that learning through others is an integral part of being an artist, Marie is a member of Pen Women of America, Palm Beach Watercolor Society, the Boca Museum, Armory Art Center and Wellington Art Society. She tells us, ” I have acquired knowledge and techniques along the way from very gifted artists regarding surface design and watercolor. My style is light, colorful, playful and sometimes considered provoking.”
Tools of My Trade
As Marie worked and traveled with Club Med teaching English, the sunrises each morning, the colors of nature and the tranquility of the tropical landscape left a lasting impression on her soul. She shares, “Wherever I went, in whatever country, with whatever language or people, sunrises, sunsets, the realness, aliveness and joy of nature were a constant…a message to me about Life…and Spirit!”
Marie’s passion and distinctive character are one with her art. She tells The Rickie Report, ” Through my artwork, I am able to see and understand all sides of my personality…watercolor reflects the more serious and adult side, while batik lets the child come out and play…I think that the medium of acrylic on canvas is a happy blend of the two and also the philosopher in me shows up!”
Out of The Quagmire Into Clarity
“What I have found, is that I paint because I have to…before realizing this about myself, I was not really content from the inside out, and as soon as I gave myself permission to just do what came through from inspiration to canvas, my whole world changed, I became ME.”
For Marie, art is not only what goes onto a canvas, it also includes language. Her “The Life is not all Black and White” series holds much meaning for me. While painting the first in this series, a poem emerged which expresses further the thought. She tells us, “…Goes like this…”Life is not all black and white, tho some folks think it so, to live in the have tos, can nots and shoulds, instead of the SUPPOSE!…. and goes on….”
Bold and Beautiful
Marie explains more about her involved lifestyle. “Coming from a very creative family, I am fortunate to have some innate talent, which I first discovered and used during the many years that I was a Hair Stylist and co-owner of a Beauty School in Boston. For the past 30 years while living in Florida, I have worked with interior designers and clients creating hand painted fabrics, murals and custom commissioned paintings. For several years my artwork took a back seat while I was directing Art Galleries, Antique Shops and teaching Yoga in Palm Beach.”
Marie’s painting arm was shattered and reconstructed after an accident in 2001. How did she cope with this? She tells The Rickie Report, “painting and making jewelry again emerged as a healing method to regain my mobility and motor skills. With Yoga, I was able to rehab not only my body but my entire being…and use that life lesson as a transformative experience……” We can see how her inner strength and strong sense of creative purpose motivated her.
She has been practicing yoga for 45 years and teaching since 1975. Marie enjoys working with those that have special needs, rehabbing either physically or emotionally or dealing with cronic illnesses. Marie is devoting more time to painting and sharing Yoga as a way of life! She teaches seniors in different communities and also at “gentle Yoga class” at Moksha Yoga Studio in Wellington.
“I am available for commissioned paintings and murals as well as private yoga classes. ….Living Yoga and Art are who I am… My intention is to continue sharing this with others…”
- Gathering Hope Along the River of Life
Although I use different techniques, there is continuity in my work that comes from deep within that wants to express the beauty of life and seems to reflect life’s little lessons that are not always apparent. Flowers are not just flowers, trees are not just trees, black and white is not just that…they are friends, family….memories…lessons and philosophies…!
Opening To The Fruits of Life
WAS and Whole Foods will have a new artist SOLO exhibit every three months. Artists must apply for this show, must be Wellington Art Society members, and submit at least 12 paintings for display. The minimum size is 16″ x 20″. Since some of the spaces are large, 2 – 3 paintings may fit near each other. For more information about joining WAS or their events, http://wellingtonartsociety.blogspot.com/ or go to: www.wellingtonartsociety.org
