Florida Artists Group

Biography:

This northeast Florida self-taught artist developed a love of place and an appreciation for natural wonders with some inspiration from an adventurous travel agent mother, a creative DIY father and an artist babysitter.

Abby received her B.A. from the School of International Service at The American University with a minor in Environmental Studies specializing in marine biology, limnology and law of the sea and interned for the International Institute for Environment and Development. Her perspective and subject matter continued to develop during a professional career addressing hazardous waste with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; consulting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Everglades restoration; launching the University of North Florida Environmental Center; educating youth and adults on the St. Johns River with SJRWMD; and assisting the North Florida Land Trust as their interim director preserving special places for generations.
Starting with commissions of art in her teens for doctors’ offices and retailing Victorian Christmas ornaments, she went on to create an illustrated guide of Turks & Caicos dune plants and scenic stage designs for drama productions. While a banking executive, she applied her craft to customer and associate themed events and provided designs for non-profits like the Sunshine Foundation Dream Village, where her themed murals are still being enjoyed by chronically and terminally ill children’s families visiting Orlando theme parks. Until recently, she volunteered in the local elementary school art classroom and for AARP “Healthy Living-Art in the Park”.

Her paintings began receiving regional awards in the 1990s and she is now an artist full-time. Her first solo show was for the famed “Will Ackerman; Guitar Gathering” and she has been a featured artist at J. Gregory Fine Art and is the artist in residence at the La Venture Grove gallery and participates in southeast regional plein air events. She has donated art to North Florida Land Trust and the Mandarin Art Festival.

Abby is an active member of First Coast Plein Air Painters, Jacksonville Urban Sketchers and Pines & Palm and serves on the Board for Jacksonville Coalition of Visual Arts; and regularly exhibits at the St. Augustine Art Association and the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach.
Appointed by the Mayor of Jacksonville, Abby has represented her community on the Southeast Community Planning Advisory Committee for 6 years and participated on the JAX2020 Neighborhoods Committee and One x One Education initiative. She is a past board member for the Lake Alfred Chamber of Commerce, Explorations V Children’s Museum, Riverside Fine Arts Association and Greater Winter Haven Meals on Wheels.

Artist Statement:

Since seeing Monet’s paintings, during a trip to Europe at age 10, I have been enthused by the combinations of bits of pure color and how light changes form, texture and reflections. From my work experience and as a champion of the environment and preserving special places, art is an extension of my advocacy of the importance of stewardship and seeks to inspire the viewer to explore and appreciate the wild or iconic places near them with new eyes. My hope is that my artwork connects people to memories or experiences of where they call home or their personal connection with the natural world.

This mission has become more critical as Earth’s resources are challenged by global warming, pollution and pressure for overdevelopment.
I believe our human spirit craves fresh clean air, open space, seasonal changes and a bit of adventure ---perhaps even more intensely during our recent global pandemic.

Working primarily in oil or acrylic, seascapes, skyscapes and forests are inspired by my northeast Florida home and travels. From there, I enjoy playing up mother nature’s palette visible to my eye, but often elusive in a photograph.
Each tree has its own character and no two sunsets are ever the same. Working in plein air has taught me to appreciate fleeting moments as well as shadows and to appreciate variation in simple detail. Remember the joyous feeling of discovering a rainbow splaying colors across the sky ….or a canopy of leaves backlit by the sun like stained glass… or standing atop a mountain and seeing for miles.

Clouds are meditative and spiritual to me. Water and the sound of pounding ocean waves are primal to human existence and my soul. I especially enjoy capturing children by the water’s edge with the same fascination, I still have, and hope we all can find again.

Exhibitions:

Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts: “We are Doing Well, Thank You” (Pines & Palms) - Valdosta, GA (2020)
Word Revolt: “Arboretum” - Atlantic Beach, FL (2020)
Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens: live painting “20th Anniversary North Florida Land Trust Gala” - Jacksonville, FL (2020)
La Venture Grove Gallery: “Artist in Residence” Moreman House – Switzerland, FL (2019- 2020)
Pines & Palms: “Fall for Art” Thomas County Library - Thomasville, GA (2020); "High Cotton Plein Air Paint Out" - Boston, GA- AWARD (2020, 2019)
Jacksonville Coalition for Visual Arts: "Celebration" Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach - AWARD (2019); Archway Gallery - Neptune Beach, FL (2019)
St. Augustine Art Association: juried shows “This is My World” (2020) “Soak Up the Summer” (2020), “Miniature Marvels” (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017), “Cutting Edge” (2020), "Florida Wild" (2019), “Honors Show” (2019, 2017), “Black and White & Shades of Grey” (2019), “Fantastic Florida” (2020,2018), “Where Art Meets History” Plein Air (2019, 2018, 2017), “Faces & Figures” (2018), “Canvas, Clay, Collage & Cutting Edge” - AWARD (2017), "Florida Forever" - AWARD (2016)
First Coast Plein Air Painters: “Light in the Landscape” - Jewish Community Alliance (2019); “Impressions of the Southeast” - Cultural Center of Ponte Vedra Beach (2019); “Spring Members” - Wilson Center FSCJ (2018); “A Brush with Nature” - Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens (2020, 2019, 2018); “At the Zoo” Plein Air-Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens (2019)
J. Gregory Fine Art: featured artist (2017-2020)
Riverside Fine Arts Association: solo show “A Sense of Place” for “Will Ackerman: Guitar Gathering” (2018)
Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach: “JAME” – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017)
Gallery 1037: featured artist - Jacksonville, FL (2016)
Phi Mu Foundation: auctioned artwork – Northeast FL (2019, 2017, 2016)
Stanton College Prep HS: scenic design (Drowsy Chaperone - 2019, Grease - 2019, Seussical, the Musical - 2018, Shrek – 2014) – Jacksonville, FL
Timucuan Parks Foundation: art instructor “Healthy Living-Art in the Park” (Apr/Nov 2019); coloring book drawings (2018); native mural (2011)
St. Johns River Water Management District: water conservation education poster and placemat (2005)
Sunshine Foundation: Dream Village cottage murals & graphic designs - Loughman. FL (1995-2015)
Barnett Bank: life-size characters and themed event backdrops - Lakeland and Jacksonville, FL (1993-1999)
Ridge Art Association: juried show - Winter Haven, FL - AWARD (1996)
Polk State College: invitational show - Winter Haven, FL - AWARD (1995)