By Anne Hunter
When Emeril’s new Coastal Italian restaurant opens in Grand Boulevard, it will certainly be a blessing to our taste buds. Along with the incredible food, there will also be a feast for the eyes. Krista Vind, owner artisan of The Artists Warehouse of South Walton, was commissioned to create a work of art for the Emerald Coast’s exciting new restaurant. Vind, along with Teresa, Kelly, and Kathy Wear also faux finished Emeril’s Delmonico restaurant in New Orleans.
Her gallery, nestled on Highway 393 between 30A and 98, is situated on one of the four roads included in the Florida Scenic Highway route for 30A. “After working as a decorative painter and faux finisher for many years; and, being commissioned by designers to create artwork for their projects, I started creating art and hanging it in my old studio in Destin. Hardly anyone ever saw it, so I decided to move my studio out to South Walton, where I live, and create a gallery. Having a diverse group of artists at the gallery, I am able to offer a variety of styles and mediums of art to the customer,” says Vind.
Part of Vind’s inspiration is the wealth of artistic talent in the decorative arts community. “I love how art and artists are embraced in this area. Art is everywhere. Among the artists I know, there is such camaraderie and support.”
Vind represents five artists, including the gallerist herself, in a rotating group. The artists, Teresa Brown, Mandy Glickman, Kyle Pettit, and Sharon Davis, hail from Mississippi, Tallahassee, and Pensacola with another coming from Georgia in September.
Kelly Pettit is originally from Boston Massachusetts but has lived in Tallahassee for the past 23 years. “My art career has taken a circuitous route.” After faux finishing walls for 15 years Pettit gradually started art pieces with her faux finishing tools and supplies. “I love learning new techniques! I try to paint everyday even if it’s just starting backgrounds for several paintings, the blank canvas scares and excites me all at the same time. I love to play with texture and layers, the end result is a one of a kind piece of art that tells a story and makes you wonder how it was done.”
Owner of Artisan Designs and More, Teresa Brown has been a successful decorative artist since 2003, creating custom designs and finishes throughout the mid-south. “Working with such diverse spaces and services has allowed me to transfer my knowledge of materials, textures and other mediums from walls, cabinetry, ceilings and floors to canvases,” muses the artist. Teresa’s specialty is creating custom artwork for individuals based on the space. Her work ranges from abstract, impressions, landscapes and a new specialty, driftwood.
Sharon Davis is a decorative and fine artist who likes to call her work fun, funky, and fine Art. She loves all artistic avenues from abstract, resin, and her newest adventure, Rustic Art. She loves learning new techniques to bring fresh creative ideas to her work.
Mandy Glickman owns and operates Big Finish, LLC in Pensacola Florida. She has a degree in Interior Design from FSU and studied painting at The Art Students League in New York City.
“It really is a collective of friends who work together to promote each other and our artistic goals. We also have periodic play dates where we share our ideas and new techniques to keep each other inspired and excited.”
The Artist Warehouse is located at 416 S. Co. Hwy 393, Unit 5.4 It is open every first Friday for Art Walk 5-8pm, Saturdays 10-4, and by appointment. For more information:
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