Artwork from Nature's Wrath

On a recent Saturday evening, long time Stuart, Florida resident and artist Meg Winter hosted friends, clients and leaders of the business community to a private showing and fundraiser of her latest commission as well as other selected paintings. Originally from Connecticut she earned a BA from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She continued her studies at the Academia Delle Belle Arti in Rome, Italy. Cocktails, mangia, fiesta...and so it was. A portion of the proceeds of the sales from the night's artwork will be donated to the Children's Art Classes at The Elliott Museum where Ms. Winter teaches several classes as well as at The Pine School in Stuart.

Meg created a storyboard for her guests with pictures and fabric swatches depicting her painting's creation. It all began at the Ft. Myers Boat Show where she set up a tent for the first time after 30 years of gallery representation. There she met her future mentor from Useppa Island where Meg had coincidentally been a member for the past five years. Their meeting was serendipity.

Useppa Island Club is a private island/club in an enchanted storybook location with picturesque cottages, pink pathways and lush tropical vegetation. In the 1920's, publishing magnate Barron Collier built his home on the island in order to welcome and accommodate his wealthy friends. Rockefeller, Edison, Ford and Dupont were among his visitors. Although Useppa Island maintains its private club status, the Collier Inn still invites travelers to a respite and a stroll back in time to visit the charm of old Florida.

In August of 2004, Hurricane Charley devastated the island, causing massive damage to Useppa's lands and property in the wake of its 145 mph winds. Meg's client was one of the numerous homeowners whose home was either partially or completely destroyed by Hurricane Charley. Ms. Winter's client wanted to always remember the islanders' strength and resilience in rebuilding their homes and facing Mother Nature's wrath. And so the painting's image was born.

Once Meg takes the canvas off the stretcher bars and rolls the painting up; the larger than life size 8' x 6' oil painting is heading across the State of Florida. It will then be placed on a boat bound for its new home. There's where her client plans on inviting the islanders to view the painting and ultimately meet the artist at a future reception in their home.

You can learn more about Useppa Island at: www.Useppa.com

You can view more of Meg's work by accessing her web site at: www.megwinter.com

or contact her at:
megwinter772@bellsouth.net (772.463.0881)