provided to Santiva Chronicle
Local artists Suzette Heeres and Carol Rosenberg are exhibiting artwork throughout January at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way. The public is invited to view their display from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Heeres is a snowbird from Michigan who loves painting Sanibel’s beautiful beaches, habitats and wildlife all winter. She is a regular participant in weekly plein air painting sessions at various locations on the Island with other artists from the SanCap Art League. “Not only do I learn something from each of them, but we have developed such wonderful relationships,” she says.
In particular, Heeres enjoys impasto oil painting – applying thick layers of oil paint on the canvas to create texture and interest. “I love to teach impasto oil painting classes in Michigan and have recently agreed to teach at the Sanibel Community House. I am excited to share my love for oil painting with those around me… I love seeing the work each artist creates,” she said.
It is Heeres’ belief that an artist continues to develop his or her style forever. Each class, each article read, each visit to a museum will bring about different techniques in color, strokes, and perspective. She continues the search for her style and appreciates each stop along the way.
Rosenberg will feature more than 50 small portraits of local residents and models in this January exhibition. These acrylic paintings, entitled “Community Series,” were done during open studio sessions in Sanibel, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. “I often work in series because this gives me an opportunity to concentrate on a subject or material and enables me to increase my knowledge and expand my skills,” she said.
With a B.A. in Studio Art from Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, Rosenberg has worked as an illustrator for WVIZ/PBS TV and American Greetings in Cleveland. Her paintings, life drawings, assemblages, and calligraphy have been shown in individual, juried and invitational exhibits.
Rosenberg facilitates non-instructed Life Drawing at BIG ARTS. “I think it is valuable to paint or draw the figure from life for many reasons,” she explains. “The interaction between the model and the artist requires visual concentration, patience and commitment. Because creating art is often a solitary task, another benefit of the open studio setting is that artists are able to enjoy the fellowship and encouragement of other artists of similar interests who are facing common challenges.”
Both Heeres and Rosenberg are members of the SanCap Art League. For more information, go to sanibelcommunityhouse.net or visit sancapart.com
Leave a Comment