ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The air surrounding ARTpool Gallery and Vintage Boutique was energized from the diverse crowd attending the fourth annual “I LOVE ST. PETE” art show.
On Saturday, Jan. 23, ARTpools Marina Williams teamed up with Blue Lucy, to host the show. Video artist David Meek ran the projector outside while a face painter decorated the crowd and local bands played through the night.
The gallery was packed from front to back, with patrons ranging from posh to punk, enjoying the equally diverse art. Sculptor Brandy Stark showcased her “Metal Myths” series, wrapped wire sculptures, using scrap casings for display boxes. Scientists, teacher and artist, Jennifer Wunderlich, showcased her iWunder line of hand knit & dyed yarn items. Cartoon style paintings such as “My Carrot” by Dylan Marvin were priced at $25. Other work by Marvin consisted of an up-close confrontation with an angry octopus and a bandaged fish. Wearable art, such as the $9 painted palm t-shirts by Ogden Bates, and designer feathers for hair and hats, was a large part of the event.
Painter Juan Santos Garanton displayed three watercolors of iconic St. Petersburg scenes, such as The Pier and The Vinoy Hotel. It was a busy weekend for Garanton who was vending at the Saturday Morning Market earlier. His other work can be seen weekly at the Saturday Morning Market, including airbrush paintings, multimedia, tropical scenes and birds painted on wood, some with three-dimensional accents. His art has been available for commission and purchase since he helped establish the market eight years ago.
Garanton attended the Art Institute in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and worked in advertising for several years. The harsh economy forced Garanton to close his studio. Now he works from his home office, preparing to re-open a studio in St. Petersburg in the near future.
Photographer, painter and graphic designer, Ron Guerin, showcased his acrylic on canvas paintings. He started working in photography 10 years ago, and has a B.A. in graphic design. Guerin moved to Tampa in 1995 and started exploring the art scene in 2005. While Guerin attends other art events around Tampa Bay, he said ARTpool is his choice hangout. For Guerin, art is his secondary life. “Once you are an artist, it’s more serious than a hobby,” Guerin said. His recent influences are Marylyn Monroe and Andy Warhol.
A disciple of Dali and a street painter is how artist Dino D’taos describes himself . He is a café artist, gaining inspiration and following the path of the “great common artists” such as Van Gough and Picasso. He spoke with a spiritual passion and stories of “ethereal meetings with the great one.”
“I’ve already out done Van Gogh,” D’taos joked. “I’ve sold two paintings!”
D’taos spent his earlier years painting in Santa Fe and Taos, N.M. He described Raphael as “the most delicate painter” and practices the same art of painting half the line. He is not currently part of a gallery, but does participate in select local shows and events. His paintings are impressions of surrealism. “I’m just a drop in the art pool,” D’toas said.
In April 2008, Williams opened ARTpool. “It is above and beyond my wildest dreams. But is still growing and improving every day,” she said. This nontraditional gallery showcases art at monthly themed events. Artists display all mediums of work for a fee starting at $25 for a month. The fee gets them wall space, a full portfolio on the ARTpool web page, a pass into events and artists keep 100 percent of the sales.
Williams takes pride in that ARTpool has become such a staple in the art community. Whether you are a young artist looking to show off your work, or in search of art that speaks to you, ARTpool is sure to have something for everyone.
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