Start 2023 with a deep dive into the visual arts with Featured artist, Eileen Shaloum at Plunge Resort Hotel in Lauderdale By The Sea. The exhibit runs from January 7, – February 4, 2023 in the Plunge Hotel Lobby, which is open 24/7 for viewing. Enjoy a Meet The Artist Reception on Wednesday, January 11.  Please reserve your free space on Eventbrite, enjoy the show, free parking and a complimentary glass of wine. The Rickie Report shares a sneak peek and all of the details. As of publication time, if Eventbrite is full, walk-ins are welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTIST     OPEN     HOUSE

 

 

E I L E E N     S H A L O U M

 

 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023

 

 

6  –  7:30  PM

 

 

 

“Through The Looking Glass” by Eileen Shaloum

 

 

Plunge Beach Resort

4660 El Mar Drive     Lauderdale By The Sea, FL   33308

 

 

 

 

RSVP for this FREE Event

 

 

 

 

 

“On Painted Stairs” by Eileen Shaloum 

 

 

 

Eileen Shaloum is a painter and mixed media artist who searches for and employs the whimsical in her subject matter. Her work evokes the joy and innocence one usually finds in children’s art. Being an art educator in the public schools on Long Island, New York, for over thirty years influenced much of her art making, an abstract process with a childlike sophistication. Her colors are often bold and her compositions alternate between ordered and loose, but always playful. She enjoys adding handmade and found papers, fabric, photographs, string and other found objects into her acrylic paint to give the surface a mysterious quality.

 

 

 

 

 

“Feeling The Blues” by Eileen Shaloum

 

 

 

Her present body of work has also been influenced by the writings of Italo Calvino in his book, “Invisible Cities.”The imaginary landscapes conjured by Calvino beckoned her to interpret them on canvas and paper which led to her unique, fantastical semi-landscape style which she calls “Dreamscapes.” 

 

Eileen has been a painter for more than forty years. Her work is in several private collections in the United States and England. She exhibits widely throughout the United States, mostly in New York and Florida. An active exhibiting member of several Florida art organizations, Eileen has been showing her art all over Florida for over sixteen years.

 

 

 

 

 

“Eudoxia” by Eileen Shaloum

 

 

 

After retiring in 2006 Eileen and her husband, Al, bought a home in Delray Beach where she splits her time between Florida and Long Beach, NY. Both places are stimulating artistically and offer many opportunities to show, exhibit, sell, and participate in arts organizations. Making and developing her art is her primary focus, which has become her full-time occupation. She received her B.A. in Art Education and her M.A. in Art History from Hofstra University, Long Island, New York. Being an art educator in the public schools of Long Island from 1971-2006 was a rewarding career that inspired her own art making.

 

 

During her career teaching art, she gave professional development workshops to other art teachers at NYSATA conferences and locally. She also gave workshops to other artists interested in learning new techniques in using mixed media with their painting. During that time, she continued to exhibit her own work and ran several art businesses from her home studio. Some of these businesses were: designing children’s clothing, creating one-of-a-kind art furniture, and for 12 years, Portrait Sign-In Books where she painted, on commission, portraits for parties, engagements, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc. 

 

 

Eileen has exhibited in galleries and museums, warehouses and libraries both in group and one person shows in New York and Florida during the past four decades. She has won many awards and is in several private collections all over the country.

 

 

 

 

 

“It Takes A Village” by Eileen Shaloum

 

 

 

 

For more information about Eileen’s artwork:

 

On the Web: www.eileenshaloum.com

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileenshaloum/

On Facebook:Eileen Shaloum

516.524.5775

Email:  eileenshaloum@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Vered Shamir Pasternak will have her artworks featured at Aqua, the premier location during Art Miami to procure works by young, emerging and mid-career artists. For a world always “on the go”, Vered shares one word with her images, “STOP”. She reminds us to look at all of the people in our communities and STOP being passive about their needs.  Her theme of homelessness touches us all and more poignantly, it often has little to do with having a roof over our heads.  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.  GO to AQUA MIAMI and explore what “home” means to you!

 

 

 

1530 Collins Avenue    Miami Beach, FL 33139

305.517.7977

 

Artwork by Vered Shamir Pasternak

 

 

 

Born in Israel, Vered Shamir Pasternak is a Miami-based artist who expresses powerful themes of identity and belonging in her paintings. Raised in a rural area of Israel, Pasternak graduated from the Kalisher School of Art in Tel Aviv in 1989. The cultural pressure to conform to traditional female roles led her to abandon her artistic ambitions and work in the travel industry. In 2001, she immigrated to Miami to join the man who is now her husband. It took another decade for her to return to painting. She joined the class of Miami Beach painter Tony Coro and the rest is history.

 

 

 

 

Artwork by Vered Shamir Pasternak

 

 

 

Vered tells The Rickie Report, “Moving from your birth place to another country, even if it’s your own choice, is extremely difficult. I totally underestimated it. When you leave behind your family, your friends, your job, your culture, your language, your food, your music, well…your entire life, that’s a difficult transition!  You go through culture shock with mixed emotions. There are feelings of loneliness, sadness, and depression.  You begin to isolate yourself which makes life even worse.  Years can go by and that feeling of not truly belonging is still lingering inside!  No matter how hard you try, it is difficult to shake the HOME-LESS feeling!!!!”

 

Making a connection…

 

 

“I started to question what HOME meant to me. I wasn’t referring to the physical structure, but rather my memories, my family, my culture, my country.”  Making a connection…. Vered explains, “This feeling I carried inside is what brought about my awareness of the homeless people around me. I felt a connection. The definition of “home” had a whole new meaning for me. I could strongly relate homelessness to the feeling of not belonging.” At about the same time Vered started painting again, she became fascinated with two homeless men: Gunny, a Vietnam veteran who is homeless by choice and Robert, who lives on a street near Pasternak’s close-knit neighborhood. She spent years befriending the two men before she began photographing and painting them. In the process, Pasternak realized that, as an immigrant estranged from American culture and a woman without an established social role, she identified with Gunny and Robert. She, too, felt homeless.

 

 

 

She shares, “For the past 10 years, I have gone to their local spots to visit them on a weekly basis. I can’t really say who appreciates the visits more, Gunny and Robert or me. I don’t really know how to name this relationship that we created over the years. It’s difficult to say, but we truly have a strong bond and we rely on each other for different reasons.” These two men became the main subjects for her paintings. “For years, I painted them (almost) obsessively, not realizing was that I was actually addressing my own feelings. Painting is like therapy to me. Sitting down to paint them started to make me feel better. It made them feel a sense of self-worth as well. My relationship with Robert & Gunny opened my heart and began my crusade to bring about awareness regarding homelessness issues.”

 

 

 

At the core of her need to paint lies the desire to express her own emotions while giving a voice to the voiceless. Even now, there are moments when Vered feels that she is still searching for her home. While working directly with these homeless individuals she paints, she feels that she is healing her own wounds. Her haunting portraits of Gunny and Robert, in a range of media that includes watercolor and oil paint, charcoal, ink and watercolor pencils, capture both their isolation and humanity. “It is about caring for them, wanting to make them visible,” Pasternak says. “I want them to feel like they are human beings. That’s how I show them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artwork by Vered Shamir Pasternak

 

 

Before the pandemic, Vered volunteered daily at a local shelter, working in the HeArt room helping the residents to “voice” their feelings through art. “What we do there is beyond words. We heal our childhood wounds together! It provides them with a feeling of belonging and hope.” 

 

 

Stopping and making a difference 

 

 

STOP HOMELESSNESS is a new series of homeless people from Vered’s neighborhood painted on real stop signs. These signs are like those found in the street environments the homeless occupy.

 

 

 STOP and think about this issue and what YOU can do about it (we share some suggestions at the end of this article).

STOP looking the other way when crossing by them.

 

 STOP being passive!

 

 

 

 

Artwork by Vered Shamir Pasternak

 

Transformation…..

 

Stay tuned….. and how to help!

 

 

 

Vered is planning on a collaboration in 2023 with a local homeless shelter. In this project, she will work alongside the shelter residents to create a massive textile artwork.  The goals of this project are to raise awareness towards homelessness and to open our hearts to all immigrants and the difficulties they are experiencing while trying to build a new life in this beautiful country. Vered hopes to raise funds to subsidize documentation of the whole process. 

 

 

To bring this project to fruition, assistance sought in the following areas: a videographer, a photographer, a grant writer, a social media presence, gift cards for participants, compensation for the artist’s time, travels, and materials. 

If you would like to get involved and contribute to this worthy project, please Venmo: @vered-pasternak or contact her directly at veredpasternak@gmail.com

 

 

 

Vered Pasternak has had solo exhibits at the Brockway Memorial Library and the Miami Art League in Miami Shores. She has participated in numerous community group art shows, including at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, the Coral Springs Museum of Art, the Broward Main Library, Nova University, and the Wirtz Gallery. Her artwork has earned numerous awards. For more information:

 

 

For more information:

veredsart.com

www.instagram.com/VeredPasternak

www.instagram.com/visiblevoicesmiami

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

“Jabula” means “to be joyful” in Zulu. And joy is what the Wiener Museum of Decorative Art (WMODA) gives to every visitor!  The Ardmore Design team continues to reimagine motifs from their iconic ceramic art to transform our living spaces with the beauty of the natural world rooted in African style and culture.  Visionary, Arthur Wiener shares his passion for the creative arts by supporting local communities of artists and their environments.  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks of the newest WMODA Exhibit, “A Safari for the Soul” available now through December 31, 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gallery Hours:  Tuesday thru Saturday  10 am – 4 pm

 

 

 

A   Safari   for   the   Soul

 

 

 

Be inspired by the Ardmore works of art

and the words of wisdom

from Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, who

said  “I am the captain of my soul.”

 

 

 

 

Step into A Safari for the Soul to experience the wild and wonderful world of Ardmore Ceramic Art. Imagine yourself as an intrepid explorer traveling through the magnificent mountains and grassy savannas of South Africa to visit the Ardmore community of ceramic artists. Our destination is KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa which means “children of heaven” in the Zulu language. The Ardmore studio was founded in 1985 by Fée Halsted who began teaching local people how to create unique ceramic art. The fame of the developing studio spread internationally as collectors discovered the wit and whimsy of Ardmore ceramics which can be experienced in the WMODA Safari for the Soul gallery. Ardmore began experimenting with fabric design in 2010 and launched the Qalakabusha sofa, meaning “new beginnings”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each Ardmore piece is unique, a one-of-a-kind work of art which typically involves a thrower, a sculptor, and a painter. The studio is full of talented men and women who create dynamic and diverse imagery, ranging from lyrical foliate forms inspired by Africa’s flora and fauna to intricate patterns reminiscent of Zulu beadwork and basket weaving. Over the years, sons and daughters have joined their mothers, fathers, aunts, and uncles at Ardmore to create new family traditions in this remote region of South Africa. They collaborate in the spirit of Ubuntu, meaning “we are because of others”.

 

 

Wearable Art

 

 

 

Ardmore Sabie Kings Flame Scarf

 

 

 

 

The success of Ardmore’s fantastical furniture and fabrics heralded an exciting new design direction for the ceramic art studio. The new Ardmore Design Studio gained international recognition in 2013 following their collaboration with Hermès, the luxury French brand. Talented Ardmore artists, including Sidney Nyabeze and Abel Mohloakoana, worked under the guidance of Fèe’s eldest daughter, Catherine Berning, to create a stunning range of silk scarves. Ardmore’s latest sensational silk art collection featuring the Sabie Kings is now produced under their own brand.

 

 

Environment and Culture

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ardmore Studio helps create awareness of the plight of endangered animals in Africa and the need to protect the environment. Their initiatives to address issues such as ivory poaching, illegal hunting and trafficking are represented in sensitive studies of rhinos, elephants, leopards, and pangolins. One of Ardmore’s most magnificent sculptures symbolizes sustainability and portrays Nelson Mandela on the summit. Abundance was produced for the 2011 Climate Change Conference in Durban and now has pride of place at WMODA thanks to Arthur Wiener. Arthur has been collecting Ardmore avidly for over ten years and he is glad that his purchases help support vulnerable communities in South Africa.  One of the most impressive masterworks is Somandla Ntshalintshali’s symbolic vessel, created with Fée’s creative guidance, which is currently on exhibition in South Africa. The crocodile at the base represents ancient spirits and evolves into a pangolin, symbolizing sanctuary. The secretary bird emerges victorious over perilous times holding in its talons snakes and a bat which represent the COVID-19 virus.

 

 

 

Pottery to Pillows to Poufs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ardmore’s graphic designers have also translated the studio’s lush patterns of African fauna and flora into a vibrant range of furnishing fabrics and pillow designs in luxurious silk, velvet, and cotton, as well as outdoor fabrics for the Solaris collection. Interior designers can create their own safari adventures with curtains and furniture, or they can choose from the stunning love seats, benches, and poufs in the Sabie collection sold at the WMODA shop.

 

Entertaining with Ardmore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ardmore tabletop collection features tablecloths, runners, and napkins for formal dining as well as tea towels, melamine place mats, and coasters for casual entertaining. The latest Sabie collection of textiles was inspired by Fèe Halsted’s vacation in the Kruger National Park where the bush is lush, thick with foliage and abundant in wildlife. Fèe described her magical trip as a “never-ending tapestry of camouflaged beasts, where light, sound, movement and color shift and change”. Her fertile imagination resulted in three designs namely Sabie Forest, Camp Critters and King Cheetah which are available to order in several styles and colors through the WMODA museum shop. All sales benefit the educational programs at WMODA which is a 501c3 not-for-profit museum.

 

 

 

WMODA is a non-profit museum founded in 2014 by Arthur Wiener and his family to inspire appreciation and understanding of ceramics and glass as art forms. This remarkable legacy enables us to celebrate an important aspect of our cultural heritage in an exciting and enjoyable environment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

Watercolorist, John Bowen, is the Featured Artist of GardensArt, a City Of Palm Beach Gardens art in public places program.  “The Art Of Being There” offers a vast array of John’s award winning originals, notecards, canvas prints, and books for sale.  John will give a live painting demo at the Gardens GreenMarket on Sunday, April 24 in the morning.  A free raffle for a giclee print will be offered. The winner will be announced at the Art Reception following the Demo, which will be held in the City Hall Lobby.  Light refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome to attend.  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.  Don’t miss this opportunity to meet John in person. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Exhibit At City Hall Lobby

10500 N. Military Trail  Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm

Exhibit runs March 14- May 12, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

“Antique Racer” by John Bowen

 

 

John Bowen was born in New York City and spent the next nineteen years there and in North Jersey. He stated painting with watercolors in his senior year of High School, before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1961. He was an illustrator in the Air Force for eight years, including a one-year tour in South Vietnam, graphically documenting Airlift Operations in 1968. He self-published an illustrated memoir in 2013. The book, “Eleven Months and Nineteen Days “, was awarded a silver medal by the Florida Authors and Publishers Association in 2014. In 1969, Bowen left the Service, moved to South Florida, and went to work in the Advertising Art Department of the Miami Herald.

 

 

 

 

“Eleven Months and Nineteen Days” by John Bowen

 

 

 

John spent the next 40 years working in the newspaper advertising business before retiring. Throughout all those years, Bowen was creating paintings in watercolor for his own pleasure. Bowen now paints full time and is a Signature Member of the Florida Watercolor and Gold Coast Watercolor Societies and an Associate Member of the American Society of Marine Artists.  

 

 

Since 2011, John has been the Artist In Residence at Vizcaya House and Gardens in Miami, FL.  His artwork has been exbhited locally and nationally, garnering numerous awards for his paintings. John often posts his newest works of art on his Facebook page.  John will be exhibiting the First National Bank of South Florida in South Miami from May 2 – 31, 2022.  The bank is located at 5750 Sunset Drive  South Miami, FL.

 

 

 

 

 

“Carolina Wren” by John Bowen

 

 

John tells The Rickie Report, “Realistic expressionism is how I describe my work. Capturing a mode, striving to tell a story, intrigued by history, landscapes and themes, these are the inspirations that create my art.  I emphasize the play of light and shadow as seen in nature and describe textures of time in historic places. Each painting is carefully planned from exploration through execution. Plein air painting, sketching, photography, using whatever means possible to achieve my vision.  I combine both opaque and transparent watercolors on heavy (300 lb) archival paper.  I work patiently as I create the final piece which expresses the beauty that inspired me.”

 

 

 

 

“High and Dry” by John Bowen

 

 

 

Founded in 1989, GardensArt is a unique program that exhibits the work of locally and nationally recognized professional artists and photographers. It was established to increase the opportunities for cultural exchange between artists and the community.

 

 

“Three Sisters” by John Bowen

 

 

 

For more information about John Bowen’s Demo, free raffle drawing, or exhibit:

Call (561) 630-1116

Email astepper@pbgfl.com,

Visit www.pbgrec.com/gardensart

 

 

 

 

For more information about John Bowen’s artwork, exhibits and book, please visit:

 

 

Call (954) 257-1663

Email jbowenartist@aol.com

www.johnbowenwatercolorist.com

Facebook

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

The Armory Art Center is offering a day trip by luxury coach to Miami for the “Beyond Van Gogh: An Immersive Experience” through their program,  Armory Art on The Go.  Reservations are required, with bus trips beginning on Wednesday, May 5 and continuing on select Wednesdays. This art opportunity is open to the public. The Rickie Report shares the details and urges you to sign up now before all of the seats are taken!  

 

 

Armory Art Center

811 Park Place       West Palm Beach,  FL

Visit www.armoryart.org or call (561) 832.1776

 

 

Join the Armory Art Center

On a luxury group day-trip to Miami

To experience the stunning world of Vincent Van Gogh

 

 

Beginning May 5^th 

Seating limited      ~    Reserve yours today!  

 Call: 561.832.1776

 

 

 

 

Tickets:  $99 per person,  Limited to 25 seats on a first-come, first-served basis

 

 

For tickets, visit the Armory’s on-campus Registrar’s Desk, or call 561.832.1776

 

 

Visit armoryart.org/vangogh

 

 

*Day-trips will take place each Wednesday, as scheduled in advance, throughout the duration of the exhibition May 5^th – July 11^th

 

 

Luxury Coach  Departs   9:30 am  from the Armory Art Center

811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

 

 

Van Gogh Carousel (Images provided by Ice Palace Studios)

 

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Among the International artists at Scope Art Miami, Lake Worth resident, Ray Gross, will be front and center with new fine art hyper-realistic porcelains!  You will be wowed by his newest life-size Harley Davidson motorcycle and his new Amazon boxes with motorcycle parts and art supplies!  Ray’s iconic tools, tool belts, paint tubes, and handbags will be available to brighten the walls of any home, office, or yacht.  The Rickie Report shares the details and a few sneak peeks – like the motorcycle in progress, but to see it finished, come to Miami, at Booth C-13, right across from the VIP Lounge.  Scope Miami  is open to the public December 3- 8, 2019.

 

 

 

 

R A Y     G R O S S

 

 

FINE  ART  HYPER-REALISTIC

 

 

PORCELAINS

 

 

S C O P E    M I A M I , 2019

 

BOOTH C-13

 

 

Wednesday, December 4 thru Sunday, December 8

11 am – 8 pm daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Gross’ hyper-realistic porcelain life-size Harley Davidson motorcycle in progress

 

 

 

Ray’s original Harley Davidson has been exhibited at the American Craft Museum in New York City, at the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach, FL, the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, and the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Boca Raton, FL.

 

 

 

Ray Gross’ Amazon inspired hyper-realistic porcelain boxes.  Some have motorcycle tools and others have art supplies inside

 

 

 

For more information: 

Ray Gross MFA
RGFA Ray GrossFineArt
rayhgross@gmail.com
T  561-951-4749
Euro 0170-5091840

 

 

 

 

 

The 2019 “ENDANGERED” Fine Art & Photography Exhibition Opening Reception takes place on Wednesday, December 4 with more programs through December 7. A new venue, Pinecrest Gardens, will host, showing 2D and 3D artworks by leading artists and photographers focusing on their interpretation of “ENDANGERED”.  The public is welcome to the Opening Reception, Artist Demonstrations, a Community Painting Project, Speakers, and mini-workshops. Highlighted guests include: Ron Magill, Patti Ragan, Rickie Leiter, Dede Lyons, and Phoenix Marks.  Join in the celebration of wildlife by leading artists and photographers from all over the world!  The Rickie Report shares the details, some sneak peeks.  See you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presents:

 

 

“ENDANGERED”

Fine Art & Photography Exhibition 2019

 

 

 

Fabulous Art and Photography of nature and wildlife

December 4 – 7, 2019

2  –  9 pm daily

 

 

Enjoy Miami Club Rum Cocktails & CanAPES

6 pm each evening

 

 

The Historic Entrance

Pinecrest Gardens

11000 Red Rd       Pinecrest, Florida 33156

 

 

Join us for an amazing exhibition in

Pinecrest Gardens!

We’d love to meet you!

 

 

 

 

 

S P E C I A L     E V E N T S:

 

 

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4

6.30 – 7.30  pm

 

 

 

Ron Magill & Phantom

 

Ron Magill speaks!

From Butterflies to Penguins – the Beauty of Extremes in Nature

 

Limited seating available

 

FRIDAY, DECEMBER  6

4 – 7 pm

 

 

 

Meet Patti Ragan

6 pm Cocktails & Update on CGA 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER  7

 

 

 

10 – 12.30  Young Artists Workshop

Young artists up to 19 years old are encouraged to take part in a community painting project.

 

 

1 -2 pm  Rickie Leiter shares her secrets!

Networking for Artists

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 – 2.30  Dede Lyons discusses 

Marketing Your Art: Creating your 30 second elevator pitch.  

Light refreshments

 

 

 

Photo by Phoenix 

 

 

5-6 pm  Intrepid nature photographer, Phoenix, presents:

How I Got That Shot!  

Limited seating available

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds benefit the Center for Great Apes

 

Full Program of Events: https://www.art4apes.com

Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com

 

Proceeds:

All proceeds from the exhibition support the Center for Great Apes, a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The Center for Great Apes’ mission is to provide a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees who have been rescued or retired from the entertainment industry, from research, or who are no longer wanted as pets. The Center provides care with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment for great apes in need of lifetime care. Please visit their website to learn more http://www.CenterForGreatApes.org.

 

 

With grateful thanks to our generous sponsors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

 

 

 

YOU    ARE    INVITED!

 

 

 

 

 

 

FREE admission with registration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

Meet Featured Artist, Ursula Fernandez at the Perrine Community House at Palmetto Bay on Saturday, November 16. The public is welcome to this exhibit, “The Story of Many”, showing Ursula’s vast body of work. Her art reflects her tropical roots with an influence by the art form she herself studied for many years, ballet. While she is best known for her portrait paintings in oil, she also works with acrylic, charcoal and ink. The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.  Don’t miss the opportunity to meet this gracious and talented artist!

 

 

 

 

U R S U L A       F E R N A N D E Z

 

SOLO  EXHIBIT:

 

“THE   STORY   OF   MANY”

Opening Reception

Saturday November 16

6:30- 8:30 PM

Palmetto Bay

900 Perrine Ave

Palmetto Bay, FL

 

 

 

 

 

Ursula Fernandez shares these words from her heart about this exhibit, “My tribute and sincere gratitude goes out to my family, mentor, friend artists, teachers, designers and buyers, all those that have revolved in my world of art, whom have been a source of energy for my creations. When at work, I dive into a world of my own, where I find peace, contentment and great satisfaction”.

 

She goes on to say, “My love working with oils has been because I can express an infinite variety of mixed emotions and beauty. Every time I have picked up a brush I have learned something new and have expanded my artistic horizons. The time has come to retire from my professional life as an artist, I will not put the brush down entirely, I will be always open to sit and give to art lovers, that which I have learned in my years practicing art. I will always be happy to hear from you, if you need help, maybe advise, and why not a special order or just to say hello, Let me share with you this one of my favorite quote from unknown source: ‘Art is a fascinating and amazing vehicle of self-expression. It is a rewarding journey of learning and discovery. Art is an adventure motivated by the heart, with an understanding of the process developed through practice’”.

 

Ursula Fernandez at her easel

 

 

Ursula was born in Havana, Cuba and began sketching at the age of 15.  Her neighbor, Felix de Cossio, a recognized portrait painter, was a major influence on Ursula.  As she observed him at work, he taught her valuable tips and techniques.  She tells The Rickie Report, “This planted a deep seated love for painting”.

 

 

Artist, Ursula Fernandez

 

 

For many years, Ursula dedicated her life to her career and family, raising four children.  She never forgot her passion for painting.  In 1979, she picked up a brush and followed her heart. By 1981, she completed her first portrait!  Coming from a family of artists, she was eager to strike out on her own.

 

 

“Two Ballet Dancers” by Ursula Fernandez

 

Years later, while living in Florida, never leaving her art, she enrolled in a course taught by her long time childhood neighbor, Felix de Cossio!  He had made a successful career painting portraits of famous socialites in New York City.  Spending more time with her mentor, Ursula acquired the techniques and qualities that would serve her well throughout her own career as an artist.

 

 

“The Street Vendor” by Ursula E. Fernandez

Ursula tells us, “The subject caught my attention, a street vendor in one of the Caribbean Islands, I kept the photo to create my painting.  I was drawn to her facial expression, I knew then it would be a challenge to capture her spirit, her pleasant smile regardless that she is selling bananas under the hot sun.  Her eyes are covered by the shade of her straw hat, her rouged hands holding the wooden box.  I created a background showing the hustle and bustle of the market place.  The Street Vendor became the recipient of an Honorable Mention Award.

 

 

One can see that Ursula’s ballet and dance teaching experience enhances her appreciation for and discernment for typical details when she paints these particular subjects.  The majority of her work is inspired by her tropical roots.  Her paintings are rich in texture and color.  Her own warmth comes through each piece.

 

“The Nap” by Ursula Fernandez

 

 

While she still favors painting with oil, Ursula takes life by the hand and is eager to try new techniques and mediums.  She has great success with her portraitures and many of her florals are dedicated to endangered plants.  She is an award-winning artist and many of her pieces can be found in private collections. 

 

 

Ursula has also painted murals at several local sites. She tells us, “I love painting and teaching art, which has been my life long passion. Born from a family of artists and with the inspiration of my neighbor, whom I watched while at work, I was able to pursue this dream at a much later stage in my life. Please come in and read all about it, browse my portfolio, and if you like what you see, drop me an email, I will surely appreciate it!”

 

Ursula offers painting classes and is available for portraits.  When one is commissioned, she likes to meet the person and also works from 3-4 photos.  She is a Signature Member of the Wellington Art Society and is happy to be painting in her own studio.  

 

 

 

To see Ursula’s website and complete portfolio, please visit:

   www.ursulafernandez.com 

0r call  561-301-6848.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

Rickie@therickiereport.com   561-537-0291

17019 SW Sapri Way   Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

ENDANGERED Art4Apes EXTENDS THE CALL TO ARTISTS until October 6, 2019.  The Exhibit takes place at Pinecrest Gardens in Miami during Art Basel. The Rickie Report shares the details and urges art teachers to encourage their students to enter!  Adult entries and student entries are juried separately for prizes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call to Artists and Photographers

ENDANGERED

Fine Art & Photography Contest 2019

EXTENDED Closing Date:  SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 Midnight PST

 DON’T MISS OUT!

 

  $7,000 in Cash Prizes

 

Plus exhibition at Pinecrest Gardens, Miami during Art Basel Week!

 

 

ENTER NOW!

http://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=1555

 

“Magnificent Majestics”  Oil on panel by Helen Crispino © 2019 All Rights Reserved