Jennifer’s 10th Annual Art of A Woman Features Some of Southwest Florida’s Finest Artists

FORT MYERS, Fla. - March 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Jennifer’s will host the 10^th annual “Art of a Woman” from April 14-26 at the Fort Myers boutique.    The exhibit will feature the work of Jo Anne Bedient, JolieJolene Black, Katie Gardenia, Mel Meo, Susan Sadler and Barbara Yeomans.   A variety of works will be showcased including abstract and realistic painting, contemporary raku clay creations, painted furniture and whimsical sculptures.  All will be available for purchase.

“The Art of a Woman exhibit allows us to showcase some of the best artists in our community,” said owner Jennifer Williams. “The work of these women can be found around the world and we are lucky to have them living and creating right here in Southwest Florida.”

“Art and fashion go hand in hand,” said Williams.  “Both fashion designers and artists use their talents to create beautiful and interesting pieces and people are drawn to certain artwork as much as they are drawn to a certain designer or article of clothing. We display the artwork in creative and beautiful ways and ensure that the colors in the clothing and the colors in the art complement one another.  You can’t help but feel happy and inspired.”

Williams opened her Fort Myers boutique in November of 1983 on McGregor Boulevard at Cypress Square; the same location where it stands today. Her style is subtle, simple and sophisticated. Jennifer's has always actively given back to the community.

Jennifer’s is located at 13451 McGregor Boulevard at Cypress Lake Drive (Cypress Square) and is open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call (239) 481-8582 or visit Jennifer’s online at jennifersfortmyers.com

About The Artists

Jo Anne Bedient

Contemporary raku fired clay creations. Bold color plays off of black and white on the forms of teapots, pears, vessels, and most famously…shoes!  Originally from Southwest Virginia and a resident of Fort Myers since 1980, Bedient has emerged as one of Southwest Florida’s premier clay artists.  Perhaps best known for her ceramic shoes, she blends realism and fantasy in her inventive designs.  She has a preference for hand-building pieces instead of using a potter’s wheel.  Raku firing revolutionized her work.  This Japanese technique involves removing red-hot pieces from the kiln and placing them in combustible material.  Smoke permeates the clay and glazes, creating luster, crackle patterns, and richly textured colors.  Each firing produces unique results, and the continual experimentation of this method inspires the artist’s dramatic, whimsical, and graceful works.

JolieJoelene Black

Black has been a portrait painter, muralist, clothing designer, interior designer, restaurateur, consultant and faux finisher since 1980.   She is the owner of Il Tesoro Ristorante on Sanibel.

Katie Gardenia:

Hand sculpted fantasy art dolls, whimsical, magical & endearing mermaids, fairies & mystical folklore people, bags, pillows & adornments.  Inspired by her grandmother's encouragement, she began sculpting at the age of nine. Her imaginative spirit lives in her whimsical enchanting fantasy sculptures. With a passion, she has created well over two thousand individual figures of art that have found their way into collectors' homes worldwide. These fantasy figures have an old world look about them, as if they had recently sauntered out of a story book illustration and are happy to be free. They possess a magical quality that touches the heart and reawakens the joy and the spirit within. Each sculpture takes on a unique personality and presence emerging from its environment.

Mel Meo:

This Bokeelia artist has spent her career celebrating the subtropics with island style.  Her acrylic paintings and painted furniture are infused with a bit of whimsy.  Her style can be described as naïve (primitive), her compositions exuberant and her strokes vibrant. Her work is characterized by a sense of spirituality tinged with humor.

Susan Sadler:

Internationally trained painter Susan Sadler, a Sanibel Island resident, interprets with whimsical abstraction the events and objects that inspire her. Fresh colors and rich textures express her wide-ranging artistic training. This includes her work in painting, drawing, interior design and pottery, along with twenty years in the hand-painted textile and clothing industry.   Humor is the unifying element of Susan’s work. She creates laughter on canvas and paper with a stroke of acrylic and a splash of watercolor. Life’s happiest moments and most colorful subjects inform her paintings.

Barbara Yeomans:

Barbara, an English born artist, is a printmaker and painter. Her early education took place in England, where she studied at Cheltenham College of Art, majoring in fashion design and minoring in millinery. She also studied printmaking at Edison State College and has traveled extensively.

About Jennifer’s:

The Fort Myers women’s boutique was founded by Jennifer Williams in 1983.  Jennifer’s offers subtle and timeless pieces that can be worn every day as well as sophisticated and simple fashions for the evening and special events.  Jennifer’s is located at 13451 McGregor Boulevard at Cypress Lake Drive in the Cypress Square Shopping Center.  For more information call 239-481-8582 or visit Jennifer’s online at jennifersfortmyers.com or at facebook.com/jennifersfortmyers.