Spotlight on Helen Clawges

Victorian Gears and Life

Who?  Helen Clawges

Helen always loved colors and designs. She took art in high school. But after marriage and 4 kids she didn't stay with it, except with crafts and scrap booking. She longed to  get back into art and finally did in 2012. She actually followed Kathy McElhinny up the elevator at the Henengar Center because she was carrying art supplies. Helen said, "Kathy was so encouraging and helpful to a new beginner like me."

Helen, in her own words...

What medium do you prefer and why?
  
I've always loved watercolor with pen and ink. My dad had old ink pens and ink from his father. I'd  rather use ink than pencil. 

What inspires you to create your art ?
 
I enjoy creating abstract designs and flowers. There are so many  designs to  be discovered and created. I want to make up for lost time.

To see more work by Helen, please stop by the Strawbridge Art League and Gallery at 819-2 East Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne, Florida 

Spotlight on Denise Santi

Who?   Denise Santi

 As a small child, Denise was always fascinated with colors, shapes and outlines.  When she didn't have a crayon, she'd draw with her eyes or bob her head to get the shape in her mind.  Starting college, she planned to be an artist or a veterinarian.  She became a registered nurse instead.  She has been working as an RN since 21 years old but all the while taking college drawing courses or art workshops when able. She never forgot her love of art. She has been painting and been a member of various art groups through the years. This has enabled her to meet people with similiar interests and also encouraged her to create.  In the Summer of 2016, she was selected to paint a bench in Cocoa Village for their ArtWorks Main Street beautification.  

 A little more about Denise in her own words...

What medium do you prefer and why?

I tend to prefer drawing and watercolors because I like the spontanaity of getting the feeling down quickly of what has drawn me to a subject. It may be the color, line or a quirky part that I enjoy.  I often incorporate inks, oils or acrylics into my watercolors.  Being a Florida native,  I love the outdoors any time of the year.  Watercolor is a great medium to take on my bike and look for a place to create.

 What inspires or motivates you to create your art and what does your art mean to you?

My faith in God is everything to me. I love the nature, creatures, colors and textures He has given us to enjoy.  I try to express this in my art.  I always have Hope and try to inspire Hope in others through my works. I ask the Lord for His guidance when creating in order to show Him through me.

What makes your art unique?

Since I tend to remember in pictures rather than words, I often add parts of my past into my paintings.  My memory can only come from me! Lately, I've been taking "starts" I've painted and tear them into pieces and push and recreate them into something else.  It's fun and unique!

Waste Me Not Recycled Art Show

BIG STUFF HAPPENING NOVEMBER 5TH!
LORI KNERICK NEEDS YOUR HELP THAT DAY
Lori Knerick is helping to organize a Students Recycled Art Show.
Looking for a few judges -and artists to organize & display the Art.
WHAT: Art take-in will be Sat, Nov 5th, 10-2.
Judging ALSO that day: Sat, Nov 5
WHEN: 2 - 5pm
WHERE: Viera Mall Conference room.
Any interested students must register on line by October 28th.
Also have tables available to demo your handmade up-cycled art, jewelry,
items. Sales are allowed.

Sheryl Hughes to demonstrate how to layer fur in acrylics on October 18 at the Strawbridge Art League and Gallery

Sheryl Hughes will be the Strawbridge Art League featured speaker at the October general membership meeting on October 18 at 6:00pm. She will demonstrate how to layer fur on animals using acrylics. Sheryl has won many awards for her wildlife paintings. Her devotion to wildlife is evident in her work.  

Sheryl is a native of California and has been photographing wildlife for many years. Now, she lives in Florida and uses those photos as inspiration for her paintings. She enjoys traveling, scuba diving and photography and has achieved her underwater photography certification.

Be sure to mark your calendar to attend this demonstration at the gallery. See some of her paintings in the process. Her paintings hang in the Art Gallery of Viera, also.

Exhibit at the Evans Library kicking off the 20th Aniversary of the Strawbridge Art League

The Enlightenment by Vanessa Bates

Don't miss the exhibit at the Evans Library at Florida Institute of Technology by the Strawbridge Art League in honor of celebrating their 20th Anniversary. The Exhibit will be on display through December 19th.

Strawbridge Art League October Events

Every Thursday 6pm to 9pm is Art Night at the gallery. BYOA (bring your own art) to work on while enjoying the company and creativity of other artists.

Friday, October 14th—Reception for the “Fantasea” show during the downtown Melbourne Friday Fest 6 to 9 pm at the gallery

Tuesday, October 18th—General Membership Meeting 6 pm at the gallery.The demonstration will be by award-winning artist Sheryl Hughes. She will showing how to layer fur in acrylics.

Saturday, October 22—Trick or Treat at the Gallery and in Downtown Melbourne 11 to 3 pm

Sunday, October 30th—Cultural Arts Showcase at the King Center - 12 to 6 pm 

Note:  There will be no art walk in October

Get ready for the November Show...

Take-in: Monday, Nov. 7th  Food for Thought - 2-4 and 6-9 pm at the gallery

  

Yum! This will be the most delicious show of the year!! Put your chef’s hat on and create your most mouth-watering piece to enter—we’re hungry for your art! 

Spotlight is on Helen Wheatley

 

Coming Home

Who?   Helen Wheatley

Helen Wheatley grew up on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and moved to Florida’s Space Coast in 1995.

Inspired by the beauty of the area, Helen started painting watercolors in 1999.  She used her own photographs as reference to create beautiful florals, vivid still life and other scenes.

 

Helen then expanded her artistic expression by working more abstractly and introducing collage and acrylics into her paintings. She has begun to work in clay and also enjoys Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) where she has completed the course of studies in the Sogetsu school. 

Her latest work, a series of mixed media abstracts is very popular.  Helen has won numerous awards for her various styles and mediums.

Helen co-founded the Art Gallery of Viera in 2009.  The gallery is currently located at The Avenue, Viera and represents about twenty eight of the finest artists in Brevard County.

Helen is a member of Central Brevard Art Association, Florida Watercolor Society, Titusville Art League, Strawbridge Art League, International Society of Experimental Artists, International Society of Acrylic Painters-Florida and Brevard Cultural Alliance.

Learn more about Helen and her art at

www.HelenWheatley.com

www.artgalleryofviera.com

A little more about her, in Helen's words...

What medium do you prefer and why?

Lately I prefer mixed media, because it allows me the freedom to use whatever I feel is necessary to complete my piece

What inspires or motivates you to create your art and what does your art mean to you?

I create art because it is in me.  I get uneasy when I can't create.  My art is an expression of whatever I'm feeling.  I don't try to create something, I just allow the creation to happen.  Sometimes my work is bright and cheery, sometimes it is dark.  Sometimes it is very chaotic and sometimes it is very tight and clean.  It just depends on where I'm at and what I'm experiencing. 

What makes your art unique?

My art is a result of everything I have learned over the years and I have pursued many, many classes and workshops in various styles and mediums so that I would not be bound by the limits of a few specific instructions.  I mix all that I have learned and throw in some experimentation of my own to create work that is uniquely my own. 

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Please stop by the Strawbridge Art League and Gallery at 819-2 East Strawbridge Ave in HIstoric Downtown Melbourne to see more of Helen's work.

Life Among the Stars