Miami: Pastel Paradise

Last year, I strolled into the Quidley & Company art gallery in Naples and was blown away by a painting by artist J. Steven Manolis. Called “Sunshine,” it was a swath of brilliant yellow with strong architectural shapes in similar hues.

The sheer size and beauty of it was so impressive it took my breath away. I started following the artist on Instagram, he followed me back, and so we digitally connected.

Recently, I noticed that Manolis was calling for artists to apply for inclusion in a show called Miami: Pastel Paradise, to be held in his Manolis Projects gallery and inspired by the pastel hues of the hotels on Miami’s South Beach. I sent samples of my pastel-colored paintings in the remote chance that I would be selected.

The email came a week later that I was selected as one of 18 guest artists to be included in the show. The next step was to paint a 30×40 inch painting in pastel hues in the abstract expressionistic style to be exhibited in the show.

The exhibition opens March 23 at the Manolis Projects gallery in Miami near the downtown arts district, and will include my painting, “Shockwave.”

Miami: Pastel Paradise will be up and running through October 30. If you’re in the Miami area and visiting galleries, please stop by!