Christine was the artist meticulously painting the hairs on her leopard at the Lake Placid Caladium Festival.  The finished painting is now displayed at the HCA Gallery, at the Sebring Airport for the month of March. It is a "must see" along with other wildlife paintings.

Leopard Painting

   Christine's interest in art and crafts began in Ohio when she and her mother did projects together.  She always enjoyed school art classes, but never planned to become a professional artist.  Her chosen career was accounting.
   Since 1981, Christine has nurtured her art "avocation" in Florida. She has been a member of the Southern Handcraft Society in two counties, taken art seminars whenever possible and displayed her art at fairs, festivals, and exhibits.  In 2002 she retired and painting became a way of life.  In Highlands County, Christine paints at her home studio. Her memberships at The Lake Placid Art League, The Caladium Arts Cooperative (2005 People's Choice winner) and now the Heartland Cultural Alliance have created valued opportunities to increase her fame.   
   A successful artist, Christine has sold hundreds of paintings, pen and ink drawings, and photographs.  Christine experiences both joy and an easy flow of creativity when painting.  Only on her husband's occasional advice does she make slight changes to a finished piece.  Her favorite subjects are wildlife and old buildings.  Most of her paintings (oils, acrylics) use her own photographs or "on the spot" sketches as a starting point.  Her pen & ink drawings may include the use of watercolors or oil rouging for color enhancements. 
   Wanting others to feel the joy of painting, Christine now teaches Acrylic Painting at the Caladium Art Co-op from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesdays.  Contact 863-699-5940 or www.caladiumarts.org for more information.
   Christine will soon be a published author and illustrator.  Her book on wildlife along the Lake Wales Ridge contains approximately 100 drawings along with fully researched information and first hand experiences with the animals. 
   An Artist's Reception for Christine will be held on March 18^th (See " Calendar"). 

HCA Airport Gallery Show

   In the process of developing a HCA online art marketplace,  I have seen a large number of digital photographs taken by artists of their own work.  A lack of understanding the importance of quality digital reproductions in today's marketplace became apparent. See the "Before" and "After" examples illustrated below.  
    Both pictures were taken by the same camera.  The "Before" photo illustrates the approach taken by a many artists who have submitted work for an online portfolio.  Using the same picture and employing the principals that will be taught in an upcoming HCA workshop resulted in the "After" picture. 
    The workshop will be four hours with a break and cost $35 for HCA members and $50 for members of member organizations.  Please contact Fred Leavitt for more information if you are interested in attending the workshop.

"After"- Desert painting with proper technique

 The Scribe's Night Out series, at Brewster's Coffee House is growing in popularity. Held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, S.N.O. is a Heartland Cultural Alliance event sponsored by Bruce Rogers of Brewster's. Over the course of the two Sundays in February, 36 people attended and about a dozen people read during the open mike session.
     Scribe's Night Out is open to the public and we encourage anyone to come to listen, enjoy a Brewster's coffee, and read during the open session. The featured writer line-up for March includes Jim Gulledge (Heartstrings and Funny Bones) and Dottie Wexford (May Snow). Tentatively scheduled for April is Dawn Batterbee Miller. Books by published authors will be available for purchase at each event. To schedule a date to read as a featured author contact Sherry Carlson by email or phone at sherry@vistanet.net or (954)319-2140.

   On February 13, the featured author was poet Cynthia Schumacher. Cynthia is a retired schoolteacher and a speaker/workshop instructor on poetry and creative writing. As an educational consultant, Cynthia introduces innovative, constructive approaches to teaching and learning. A native Floridian from Leesburg, and now a Sebring resident, Cynthia helped start the Association for Creative Expression in her summer mountain retreat town of Otto, North Carolina. A.C.E. is a community of writers and artists who meet regularly in Otto.
   Cynthia has written five collections of her poetry. She read several selections from Seeds from Wild Grasses, Creekstone Crossings, Firefly Encounters, and Soul Candles. Other readers on February 13 were Jim Gulledge (Heartstrings and Funny Bones), Lynn Ullin (excerpt from a work in progress), a flash-fiction piece by Dottie Wexford, and poetry by Kyle Simpson, Sherry Carlson, Marilyn Johnson, and a Valentine to Sherry by Christopher Williams.
   On February 27, we enjoyed the readings of British author Jack Everett. Jack has experienced a diverse life as a firefighter, a dog trainer for the Royal Air Force, training advisor, club owner, and co-author of the team Everett-Coles. Along with partner David Coles, Jack has written nine novels ranging from historical fiction to the myths of Merlin. Jack read excerpts from his books The Last Free Men,  Merlin's Kin, and 1/1: Jihad-Britain. Open mike readers included Jim Gulledge, Dottie Wexford, and Marilyn Johnson.

Sebring Gallery Night

   The Downtown Gallery Night is Friday, March 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.  Boutiques and Galleries will be open with special discounts and exhibits, to celebrate the upcoming Races and St. Patrick's Day. Any artists who would like to set up for the event should contact Gene Brenner at 863-446-3874.   Visit the website at:  www.gallerywalksebring.com   

   Saturday,  March 12, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm is The Sebring Car Cruise. Artists are welcome and encouraged to set up a booth in the Circle to show and sell  their work. No reservations needed, all mediums, NO CHARGE, NO FEES!!!!! This is a free "Show and Sell."