As a full-time artist since graduating college, Christine Adele of Bonita Springs is living her art dream. She has painted since childhood and has been selected as the winner of this year’s commemorative poster for the 36th edition of the ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival.
Her winning painting features the famous Jupiter Lighthouse along with fantastical birds, fish, and hibiscus flowers in vibrant colors. The annual event, which features a juried art exhibition, interactive exhibits, children’s activities, live music, and demonstrations, will take place February 13-14 at The Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens this year.
“I have such a passion for art that I’ve managed to do this full time my entire professional career,” she says from her studio in Bonita Springs. “My current favorite work is my abstractions, I am moving more into that area after years of working more realistically. I’m phasing out murals to concentrate on that.”
Adele owns a fine art, mural, and wall finish company, and has worked with top designers and interior decorators creating exacting work for dozens of projects. She has made ceiling murals, children’s rooms, outdoor frescos, and even pet portraits.
“You do what you have to but every project that pushes me out of my comfort zone gives me another skill set,” she says. “I do love commissions though as I can work in my style and it’s very freeing.”
Christine still paints by commissions, on both large and small scale, and loves every project. “They (the commissions) make me grow continuously,” she says.
Each assignment comes with the unique desires of the client and constantly pushes her out of her comfort zone, thereby increasing her range as an artist and giving a wider range for her talents and style abilities.
Born in northern New Jersey to an artist mother, Christine studied at Fine Art at the University of Delaware, Maryland Institute College of Art, and New College of Southwest Florida before she settled in Florida. She joined the Art festival circuit in 2017, saying the comradery and interacting with the public is fun and stimulating after working solo in a studio.
The wildly colorful flora and fauna of Florida has been a huge inspiration. Her work shows feathered owls, bright pink Spoonbill Flamingos, flapping sea turtles, vibrant red wildflowers in the breeze.
“I love doing the art festival circuit and showing off these works. Meeting the public, meeting other artists who are like-minded shows we all share a kind of gypsy spirit. I pack up my van and go from festival to festival. Yes, it’s hard work but if you really love what you do it doesn’t feel like hard work.”
As for the winning poster art Adele’s winning entry, titled “Delightful,” is an acrylic painting on canvas highlighted by oil paint. The main image is the iconic dark red Jupiter Lighthouse surrounded by swirling abstract animals and flowers. She says they were not given any kind of direction, but she had spent time in the Jupiter and Hutchinson Island area beaches and took her imagery from days spent at the beach and the parks with her family.
“The art just had to speak to the area, I felt the natural world all around the lighthouse,” she adds.
Adele was among eight artists who submitted entries for the festival’s 2021 commemorative poster.
This year’s theme was “Love of Art.” Adele’s painting, which took two months to paint, was the right fit, said Noel Martinez, chief executive of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, which is producing the event.
“This poster represents the beauty of Palm Beach North,” he said. “Its dreamy feel and Florida imagery remind us that we live in a pretty special place.”
This is Adele’s first time to be selected as the ArtiGras Festival poster artist. She has also been selected as a poster artist for an upcoming show in Sarasota.
As the 2021 ArtiGras poster artist, she will receive a free booth during the festival and looks forward to meeting visitors.
The annual event moved to Palm Beach Gardens due to construction after spending two decades in Jupiter. Tickets are $11 per day with advance purchase. Children 12-and-under are free.
More about Christine Adele online at christineadelearts.com
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Christine Adele wows with abstract design for ArtiGras poster
