Todd Bonita

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Todd Bonita earned his BFA with honors from the Art Institute of Boston in 1996 and was awarded “Best in Illustration” and the “AIB Purchase Award.” His post-baccalaureate study of classical painting and drawing was continued in 2000 for 2 years at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Todd has periodically continued his private study of the French Academy drawing and painting tradition with noted instructors from The Paul Ingbretson Atelier in Manchester, NH and Dennis Cheaney at the New England Realist Art center in Boston.

His career began as an illustrator and mural painter creating works for newspapers, magazines, book publishers and design firms. Clients have included Disney, MTV, Random House, Simon and Schuster, McGraw Hill, Houghton Mifflin, United Way among others. Mr. Bonita’s illustrations have also appeared in over thirty books by many of the major book publishing companies. Agents Maggie Byer Sprinzeles represents him in the children’s book market. 

In 1997 he worked with artist Joanna Ciampa. Together they painted a 15’ x 30’ mural for the Massachusetts State Police of five fallen officers who were killed in the line of duty.  That same year he worked as a chainsaw sculptor on Cape Cod with World Champion chainsaw artist Barre Pinske.  From 2000-2003 the artist worked for A.C.Coin and Slot Company illustrating and designing imagery, murals and sculpture for the gaming industry.  His work can be seen in casinos worldwide. Most recently he held a staff position was at the Foreside Company in Portland, ME where he designed, illustrated, sculpted and created merchandise for the home decor industry. The wall art, designs, and sculptures he created can be found in TJMaxx, Home Goods, Home Depot, boutiques and gift shops in all fifty states and parts of Canada.

Todd Bonita’s oil paintings are currently represented in the Florida Keys exclusively by Gingerbread Square Gallery.

Gabriella Fiabane

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Gabriella Fiabane is based in Key West FL, and Nantucket MA, where she maintains studios. Drawing and painting was an important foundation of her childhood as she comes from a family of painters and artists.

She is primarily self-taught and has painted full time for the past nineteen years focusing on her instinctive approach to art. In addition she has studied painting with Roberta Marks, M.F.A., Katherine Miller, M.F.A. and A. D. Tinkham, M.F.A. 

Her talent has been recognized by the receipt of numerous honors including having been the 2004 recipient of the Evelyn Kawaler Visual Arts Scholarship in the Florida Keys and the Rodel Foundation of Florida fellowship in 2005. In 2011 she won first place in oil painting at the Artist Association of Nantucket MA summer juried exhibition. 

The artist currently exhibits her paintings in Key West at Gingerbread Square Gallery. She also exhibits regularly in Nantucket, and has shown her work in galleries in Boulder, CO and Silver City, NM. While best known for her landscapes, seascapes and paintings of interiors, Gabriella also works in the figurative and still life genres. Her paintings appear in private collections in the US, Canada, Europe and South America.

Pam Folsom
ABOUT THE ARTIST

Folsom’s landscape paintings are personal interpretations of the scenes she is drawn to as she works out of doors year-round. Author John Berger shares her vision in a quote from About Looking: “Shelf of a field, green, within easy reach, the grass on it not yet high, papered with blue sky through which yellow has grown to make pure green, the surface colour of what the basin of the world contains, attendant field, shelf between sky and sea, fronted with a curtain of printed trees, friable at its edges...field that I have always known...” Folsom explains: “Rich, brilliant colors, and thick brush strokes interpret my connection to the field that Berger describes -- large, positive landscapes reflecting a part of life that is peaceful and reassuring, familiar and comfortable. 

My goal is to capture the grass blowing and clouds moving for viewers to enjoy endlessly.” Folsom experiments with thick and thin paint; she creates an illusion of movement by giving distinct areas of a painting the same directional brushstrokes. Her compositions appear active and alive. 

The artist attended the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, Vermont Studio Center, Cincinnati Art Academy, and Indiana University. In 2007, she was commissioned by Woodford Reserve to create 

Carey has explored her natural inclination towards art since she started painting as a child. Inspired by stimuli she sees in nature and her surroundings, King uses a unique blend of design, color, and texture in her work. Most paintings start with a realistic style, only to evolve with a sense of the abstract. "Some paintings are done in three hours, others take days," Carey responds when asked how she knows when a piece is completed. Constantly re-evaluating each piece, by standing back, by getting close up and even taking pictures with her iPhone, King looks to move away from her subjectivity and acquire an objective view. When prompted to give advice to aspiring artists, Carey replies, "You have to believe in your own work- that's the hardest thing."

Carey Hero King’s work has been highlighted in local galleries and shows, and can be found in homes around the New Orleans area and throughout the U.S.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Michael Palmer has lived and worked in Key West for most of the last two decades, and also spends time in Maine. Having painted professionally for 42 years, his work is well collected both here and abroad. Mr. Palmer is listed in the prestigious "Who's Who in Art." He has exhibited in many museum shows, art centers and fine galleries throughout the United States and Canada and his paintings are part of several museums' permanent collections. Collectors and critics alike have given his art much praise and serious attention.

Many of Palmer's works have an abstract quality that makes them intriguing. He depicts rooftops, narrow streets, bird's eye views of cityscapes or people going about their everyday business with an unmistakable architectural approach. Over time, his emphasis has been put more on form and design and less on content and narrative. The architectural pieces are wonderful studies in perspective, shadow effects, horizontal and vertical lines and broken geometrical shapes, always in a deliberately subtle color palette.

Michael is known for systematically combining paint and ink: although admits that he often begins a painting without any preconceived plan. However, he always finishes it with minute drawings in ink.

Sal Salinero

Internationally-renowned and winner of numerous awards, Key West artist Sal Salinero is considered an “island treasure". His energy is prodigious. He works diligently in his Boulder, Colorado or Key West studios. Born in 1941 in Key West, Florida, a fourth-generation “conch” (native Key Wester) who has lived there most of his life, his reputation as one of Key West’s favorite artists is well deserved. His paintings of wildlife and tropical foliage reflect the understanding of one who has been surrounded by his subject matter.

Sal Salinero is also considered a master of still life and trompe l’oeil. His sensitivity and ability to capture the nuances of reflected light have earned him an enviable position among Florida’s Art Community .

The inspiration for great art, it is said, comes from the heart. For Sal Salinero, the inspiration comes from the soul. In painting these magnificent rainforest landscapes, Salinero captures not only the physical beauty, but also the spiritual sense of perfection in nature.

About the Artist

His realistic painting style initiates the viewer into the mysteries of the rainforest - from the canopy to the ground - with an accessibility and directness that enables one to imagine that one is actually there. His paintings are devoid of any psychological complexity - they depict a world of beautiful birds, flowers and sun-drenched landscapes of the rainforest and tropical regions with which he is so familiar. 

Mr. Salinero’s fascination with the rainforest is not new. He initially developed this interest in 1964, while stationed in the Republic of Panama as an Army Green Beret. His numerous trips to the Darien Jungle for survival training exposed him to the richest sources of life on the planet - humid, dense and verdant tropical rainforests.

For many years he has explored the tropical rainforests around the world and photographed what is left. The images that he has obtained from these travels have been transferred into his body of work.

With his paintings Salinero leaves us with a sharp appreciation of the beauty of the rainforests, as well as indicating everyone's responsibility to help save them. He hopes that by painting these tropical paradises, a greater public awareness will result as well as a greater effort to stop their destruction.

Recognized as one of the most notable artists of our day to depict the beauty and diversity of the tropical rainforest, Sal Salinero’s original oil paintings can be found in many private, public and corporate collections in the U.S. and abroad. These exquisite works are now available in masterfully reproduced exclusive limited editions that capture the detail and vibrancy of the original oil paintings.

Vera R. Sattler has been actively working in the glass industry since 1946.  She studied in W. Berlin, Germany through a 3-year apprenticeship (1946-1949), in designing and painting of Stained Glass Windows, and also attended various art and trade schools in Berlin and has a B.S. from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

From 1964 to 1977 she worked for the now closed Detroit Stained Glass Works, Detroit, Michigan. Sattler has done work for many private collectors and interior decorators, in stained glass, acrylics, collages and copper enameling, watercolors, slumped and fused glass.  She has also designed and completed many major glass commissions for religious and public buildings in Michigan.

Sattler taught adult education at Birmingham High School, Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Association, and St. Clair College, Chatham, Ontario, Canada.  Her works have been shown at the Ohio Art Museum, Toledo, Ohio and the Detroit Institute of Arts and Habatat Gallery in Lathrup Village, Southfield, Michigan.

She has participated in the following exhibits and juried shows:

Southfield Art Show 1967 (first prize for 10 Commandments in glass), Special showing of stained glass only at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library; Oak Park Library 1967 juried show; Wayne State University, Art Education Show 1972; One-women show at the Library of the University of Detroit 1975; Special Stained Glass Show 1975, Habatat Gallery, Three person show at Habatat Gallery 1979; 6th National Small Painting Exhibition, Mullaly-Matisse Gallery, Birmingham, Michigan; A Company of Women 84, Winter Haven, Florida;  Women's Caucus for Art, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA; Florida Center for Contemporary Art, Tampa, FL 1985; Brevard Art Center & Museum, North Branch, 1986; Southeastern Watercolorists III, Deland, Florida 1985; Brevard Art Center & Museum Member's Show 1986; Grumbacher Gold Medal Award for watercolor; Florida Craftsman invitational at the Ormond Beach Memorial Gardens and Museum 1987-1990; Group Show at the Artisans Gallery, Great Neck, NY 1992; Michigan Glass Invitational 1991-1994.

Her work is presently shown in the most prestigious galleries in America and exclusively in the Florida Keys at Gingerbread Square Gallery in Key West.

BIOGRAPHY Catherine VILLA

The discovery of the works of Giacometti was fundamental and revealing for the artist, especially when this latter created « L’Homme qui Marche » (The Walking Man). 

Paintings last and time stands still.  When looking at these miraculously emerged beings, we also stand still. The image which appears in the light is of ourselves.

Where do we come from?  The artist seems to be asking.   What roots do we have and what legacy can we leave?

Close to people, Catherine literally integrates us to the work, she sends us back to our origins, to our condition, showing our fragility together with our hopes.  Her characters are always the same as in real life, always in question, always waiting. They are the protagonists of their own life-stories.

The links that bind us to each other are questioned. The human being is a being in a relationship but what does he make of it?  It is a case of evoking the moments which mark our lives, moments of separation, moments of solitude or of discovery and exchange.

From a technical point of view, diluted oil is put on completely moistened linen canvas and glazes are superimposed.   Then pigments are projected on.   All this is carried out using hard brushes, sieves, combs with very few actual direct touches, the idea being yet again to get back to our roots. The artist experiments with ancestral techniques of parietal art.

Bronze sculptures are in the same vein to find our roots within the clay and the great bond with the land.   It is a means of expression by the hand which completes what paintings express but three dimensionally.

CAREER

Higher studies:  Degree in child and adolescent psychopathology.                                                               

From 1980 to 1996:  Courses in art schools and in Liliane Simon’s workshop.  The artist practiced watercolor techniques for more than 10 years.

In 2004, Enrolment at the ‘Maison des Artistes’.

Catherine's work can be found internationally. Her paintings and sculptures appear in private collections in United States, China, South Korea and Europe.

The artist was awarded: (Main Selections / Honors)

2007 - International Biennale of contemporary Art - Florence. Italy.

2007 - First prize in the general council of Yvelines - France
2005 – International Biennale of contemporary Art "MIAB"- Madera. Portugal. France was represented by seven recognized artists. 

2006 - First prize “Salon ARTS et ARTISTES” - Paris. France
2011 - Special Honors at "Les couleurs de l'espace" - Toulouse. France
2011 - First prize in the general council  - France

Main Exhibitions since 2005 (extract)

Overseas:

Represented in USA by "Gingerbread Square" Gallery. Key West. Floride. 

2015 - International exhibition Affordable Art Fair – Maastricht. The Netherlands.

2015 - International exhibition Spectrum Miami - Miami. USA.

2015 - Represented by Dutch Luxury Design. The Netherlands.

2013 - International exhibition GANA ART Gallery - Seoul. South Korea.

2013 - “Lijn3” Gallery - Noord-Beveland -The Netherlands. 

2012 - International Art Exhibition Event - Antwerpen. Belgium.

2012 - “De Marchi” Gallery - Bologna. Italy.

2010 - International exhibition Shanghaimart - Shanghai. China.

2009 - International exhibition “BASEL Selection Art Fair “ - Basel. Switzerland.

2008 - International  Artfair - Guangzhou. China. 

2006 - “October” Gallery - Geneva. Switzerland.

France:

Permanently represented at 3W Gallery –Reims.

2018 - Biennale de Versailles.

2015 - "PasseArt" Gallery – Troyes.

2015 and 2016 - "Salon International d'Art Contemporain" - Marseille.

2015 - “Orange Cobalt”  - Paris.

2014 and 2013 - “Beauté du Matin Calme”  Gallery - Paris.

2014 - “Carré d’Arts Croisés” Gallery - Bergerac.

2013 / 2010 - Rotary Art Exhibitions – Paris.

2012 - "Salon d'art" - Meulan / Paris.  

2012 - "Salon des Beaux Arts" - Chatou / Paris.

2011 - "Salon des Beaux Arts" - Honfleur. 

2009 - Solo Exhibition at “La Maison du Westhoek” - Lilles. 

2009 - “Theater” Gallery - Tours.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Growing up in Indiana, Jane began drawing and painting at an early age, inspired by the paintings of the Hoosier Impressionists TC Steele, William Forsyth, Otto Stark and others. After graduating from Indiana University, she studied with Riley Bertram, Hoosier artist, whose studio was located in the artist colony of Nashville, Indiana.

In 1976, Jane moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan with her family and attended classes in painting, drawing and photography. She established Washburn Fine Antiques, specializing in English, Continental and American furniture, decorative and fine art. Jane then became a certified member of the International Society of Appraisers specializing in the appraisal of antiques and fine art. 

Jane now resides in South Florida devoting her time to her passion of painting en plein air, drawing inspiration from nature. By capturing the tropical colors, revealed in the light and shadows of South Florida’s natural beauty, Jane’s artistic mission is to catch the fleeting images of our disappearing landscape.

Jane has attended workshops with the following artists: Charles Sovek, Morgan Samuel Price, Larry Moore, Roger Dale Moore, Gavin Brooks and Charles Reid. 

Commissioned Work
Jamesport Brewing Company, Ludington, Michigan and Private Requests.

Memberships
Plein Air Florida 
The Studios of Key West
Bonnet House Museum and Gardens Fine Artists, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Pembroke Pines Art Guild, Pembroke Pines, Florida 
Weston Art Guild, Weston, Florida

Awards
Bonnet House, Best of the Artists Series, People’s Choice Award, 2008
Pembroke Pines Art Guild, Small Works Competition, First Place, 2008

Exhibits
Gingerbread Square Gallery, 2010
City of Pembroke Pines Glass Gallery Annual Juried Art Competition, 2007-2008
Bonnet House Impressions of Florida Juried Art Competition, 2009
Bonnet House, Best of Artists Series, 2009

ARTIST STATEMENT

Everything under the sun is beautiful if you have the vision. It is the seeing of the thing that makes it so.
Charles Hawthorne

My art reflects a plein air inspiration and a love of South Florida’s natural treasures. The majestic blue heron and other tropical birds in their various habitats are frequent themes in my body of work. 

I use a limited palette to capture light and shadows and the interaction of our vibrant tropical colors. Oil is a fantastic medium in which to portray this color, light and texture. Painting in early morning and late afternoon light is my preference.

Laying the first stroke on a canvas can be very intimidating; however, there is nothing more exciting than putting the final brush stroke on the focal point of a painting to spark the viewer’s interest. 

My hope is that my paintings will bring to the public an awareness of our tropical heritage and a reminder that we must protect and preserve or we will be left with only memories. 

Beauty is everywhere! I paint because I love it.

Working outdoors or from life puts you in direct contact with the life force, not just the light and the landscape, but also the vitality of the world around.
John F. Carlson

John Whitney’s childhood was considerably different than most.  His Aunt Marjorie Whitney was Chairman of the Design Department of the University of Kansas, muralist, and illustrator of numerous books and publications.

His father William R. Whitney Jr. had been Supervisor of The Arts and Crafts Division of WPA in Kansas, displayed work at the 1939 New York World’s Fair, and also worked with Eleanor Roosevelt as an advisor for a WPA arts project called The Reedsville Project in Arthurdale, West Virginia. 

Growing up in a family of artists, he spent much of his youth on painting excursions traveling to river banks, road cuts, and lakes, looking for roots and boulders that through erosion had exposed the skeleton structure that formed the vast prairies of Kansas and Oklahoma. 

They gathered the creek water and mixed it with the prepared watercolor, which was applied on the carefully stretched Arches paper. For the hours that followed John would be lectured on composition, pigment grinds, the minimalism and descriptive meaning of each paint stroke. 

While painting, John’s aunt and father told of their friends Albert Bloch, a Taos artist, Chair of Painting Department at the University of Kansas, and a member of the Blue Rider movement, and Will Penny who was never without a sketch book in his hands.  The stories described the dedication these artists had in their pursuit of art.

John Whitney has had a rich life in visual arts starting in 1960 as a stage designer and muralist. After  his studies at the University of Kansas he moved on to become an accomplished sculptor in New Mexico exhibiting from 1965 -1970 in Jamison Gallery and Collectors’ Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Gallery A in Taos, New Mexico.

John is currently a traditional graphics artist and painter in oil and watercolor. In the studio where he creates new works using a 24” etching press built to his specifications by Conrad Machine Company.  In this studio he works on his well known figurative works on paper that are in demand throughout the World. His work also includes drypoints and etching prints hand pulled from the same press. Except for the etchings all of his painting are originals. It is from that same studio that he also creates his magnificent emotion based oil paintings and his very popular watercolors. His work today can be found in collection from Egypt to Guatemala and on to Germany.

As in his childhood when he used the roots on the riverbanks to describe the understructure of the prairie, John Whitney paints the essence within us. His complex emotional figurative based work displays John’s compassion for form and shared space while conveying expressionism. He captures the substance in the subject and gives it movement by creating multiple views of its form.  Each viewing shapes a different mood and in their fusion he sculpts the intricate novel that reflects our lives.
John Whitney’s oil paintings are currently represented in the Florida Keys exclusively by Gingerbread Square Gallery.

Nyla Witmore’s paintings are calming and meditative. Having painted in Giverny at Monet’s home and being influenced by impressionist masters she particularly enjoys plein-air painting. Painting 5 to 6 hours a day, she usually completes at least 50 paintings per year. Ms. Witmore’s usual subjects include her well-known intimate French and Italian landscapes as well as Southwest plein-air studies. Having developed her talents over many years, she is also equally at ease creating exquisite still lifes with oriental bowls, figurines and flowers. Always wanting to try something new, her interpretive musical abstraction paintings have received much acclaim. In 2007 she was asked to paint on stage with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, for their opening concert. The task was to interpret the music for Richard Strauss’ “Death and Transfiguration.” This was projected on a large overhead screen above the orchestra to allow the audience to experience fully the collaboration of this painting and music event.” She continues to frequently paint large canvases in an intuitive abstract style.
Nyla Witmore’s work can be seen in galleries throughout the United States. Original paintings, some very large, hang in private and corporate collections from Beverly Hills to Boston as well as England, France, Greece, Canada, Australia and Japan. Although originally known for her watercolor and acrylic paintings, she now paints almost exclusively in oils.