HOLMES BEACH – The second Friday of every month is an exciting time for art lovers on the Island, when The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island and Island Gallery West display the work of their featured member artists in the front window of each gallery during monthly Art Walks.
In addition to the galleries, other businesses including The Feast, Restless Natives, Sun and Surf Beach Shop, Original Sand Dollar and The Scavenger Market stay open later to welcome anyone wishing to get a bite to eat or do some after-hours shopping.
The March 11 Art Walk featured two very talented area artists, Tim Cunningham and Sue Elliott.
Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island: Tim Cunningham
Tim Cunningham has been a member of the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island for a year and is a lifetime member of the Georgia Watercolor Society. After exhibiting at Art Center Manatee, he has found a new home at the gallery, where visitors can view and purchase his watercolor depictions of seascapes painted from photographs he has taken in Florida and the many Caribbean islands he has visited.
“I’ve been painting since I was about 20 years old. I started when I was on my honeymoon in Carmel, California,” Cunningham said. “I’ve been painting for over 40 years, but I’ve never been too prolific. I’ve always had a full-time job until three years ago, so I would start something then slide it under the bed and get back to it later.”
Cunningham describes his style as pretty tight, sticking to watercolors of beach and island scenes as well as some impressive abstract work. He also only paints places he’s visited in person and photographed himself.
“I grew up in southern California and always lived by the beach. I live on the beach here on the Island and I’ve just always been inspired by the water,” he said.
Cunningham’s work can be seen and purchased at the Artist’s Guild of Anna Maria Island, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. For more information, call 941-778-6694 or visit their website.
Island Gallery West: Sue Elliott
Sue Elliott’s “Wonderful World,” currently on display at Island Gallery West, is a colorful display of multiple mediums, techniques and inspirations. Unlike many artists who prefer to stick with one style or medium, Elliott works with just about anything that inspires her at any given time.
“I have a very eclectic style and I like to use any new medium that I can find,” she said. “I think it’s very important not to stick to one thing because life is very short. I use acrylic, I use oil, resin, crackle paint, gold leaf, clay and a little bit of collage. I like to try everything; it doesn’t always work, but it usually does.”
Elliott moved to the area 20 years ago from the U.K. For her first 15 years in America, she enjoyed a successful career with a Fortune 500 company as a process analyst and project manager. Five years ago, she decided to retire early and take on her passion, which is art. Elliott’s work would have you believe she has been doing art at least part-time for decades, but she didn’t start until five years ago, making her progress in the field all the more impressive.
You can view or purchase Elliott’s work at Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, through the end of March. For more information on Elliott or anything involving the Gallery, call 941-778-6648 or visit their website.
