• I think we could sell art work here too!

    After 37 years of teaching I retired to Florida and helped my sister with her Jewelry Studio. One day she said to me, "I think we could sell art work here too!"

  • You could do that!

    "Where would we find someone to do that?" I replied. She looked right at me and said, "You could do that!" After she picked me up off the floor, I began to like that idea. I had never taken any art classes, so I signed up to take classes at the big box craft store. Although I loved the painting and the feel of the brushes in my hand, I was disappointed in the art projects.

  • I wasn't into cutesy little critters and pumpkins

    I wasn't into cutesy little critters and pumpkins on a hay bale. Discouraged I dropped the class. Sigh! One day I wandered into the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, FL. I was there to get information on how to cut mat boards. An Art Class was going on at the time. I ventured in to talk with the instructor, famous Cuban born artist, Alberto Cruz. He was busy so I chatted with some of the art students. One lady's painting caught my eye. I asked how long she had been painting. She said, "This is my first painting!" I couldn't believe it! She said, "He can teach you how to paint anything!" I was sold! I went right out and registered for the class. Best decision I ever made. I've been painting ever since!

  • I love bright, vivid colors, and whimsical subjects

    Sadly we lost Alberto to cancer, but the core group of artists have remained together as Open Studio at FGCU in Punta Gorda. We support each other as artists and put on several Art shows a year. My style of Art is Contemporary Modern. I love bright, vivid colors, and whimsical subjects with an emphasis on Florida Tropical. - Janet Lottmann