HOLMES BEACH – The April 8 Art Walk was the final one of the season with the walks resuming in November, but there was plenty to see before the break.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island and Island Gallery West proudly displayed the work of their featured monthly member artists in the front window of each gallery. Visitors had a chance to meet with not only the featured artists but many other gallery member artists as well and visit other local shops that stayed open later for the monthly art walk.
Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island: Marianne Hiland
With watercolor as her medium of choice, Artists’ Guild Gallery of Anna Maria Island’s April feature artist Marianne Hiland uses vibrant colors to bring life to her subject matter. A Guild member for 12 years, Hiland hasn’t been painting her whole life like many artists whose work is hanging on the walls of local galleries. In fact, she didn’t even paint until 12 years ago after retiring.
“I was in publishing my whole career, working for different publishers including the National Geographic Society,” said Hiland. “I was always involved in wordsmithing, so as soon as I retired, I shifted to the visual.”
Hiland says she chose watercolors after gifting her husband with art supplies as a retirement present. After he realized art wasn’t for him, she grabbed what they already had and set to work.
Hiland’s feature exhibit is on display and all works are available for purchase at the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island located at 5414 Marina Drive. For more information, call 941-778-6694 or visit the gallery online.
Island Gallery West: Pat O’Neill
Featured artist Pat O’Neill’s inspirations for his acrylic works of art include the beach, animals from around the world and anything else that happens to be on his mind. Rather than paint from photographs, O’Neill prefers to draw inspiration from his imagination. Some of his favorite subjects include animals, from African lions to local shorebirds.
“I love painting all kinds of subjects. I don’t want to stick to just one thing so I’m always channeling myself to do something new,” said O’Neill, an artist since the age of six and a member of the Gallery for the past six years. “I like to use acrylic paint because it dries fast and allows me to paint in layers.”
You can view or purchase O’Neill’s work at Island Gallery West at 5368 Gulf Drive. For more information on O’Neill or the gallery, call 941-778-6648 or visit the gallery online.
Monthly Art Walks return to Holmes Beach in November. Both galleries continue to feature different artists every month throughout the year.
