The Artist's Path to Master
Aleada Aine Siragusa is currently celebrated for her landscape paintings with a recent focus on the High Desert of Southwest New Mexico. She frequently visits State Parks to paint en plein air using oils and watercolors. Her studio, situated in the Mimbres Valley, offers stunning views of the Black Range Mountains, providing her with constant inspiration even when she's not out hiking with her easel and paints. When in town, Aleada opts for pastels, light watercolors, and pencils for their portability, always preparing herself for moments of inspiration.
Education in Oil
Aleada Aine Siragusa started her artistic journey as a young woman in Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Akron, majoring in painting and minoring in Sculpture and Art History. While there, she delved into Plein Air techniques and undertook individual studies with artist Judith Myers. Her education expanded as she studied portrait painting with Daniel Greene, Oil Painting and Miniature Painting with Joan Willies in Clearwater Florida and Jeanne Dunn in Largo Florida, and figure and portrait painting with Christopher Drake. To continue her education she was accepted at the Morean Art Center in Saint Petersburg, Florida where she studied Mixed Media with Jack Barrett along with other mediums. Her art was featured in both the Emily Davis Art Center at the University of Akron and the University of Akron Graduate Show in the EJ Thomas Hall.
Teaching and Sumi-e Techniques
Recognizing the importance of nurturing a passion for the arts in future generations, Aleada taught children within the Pinellas County Board of Education in Florida, igniting their creativity. At A Very Special Arts Festival Program in Saint Petersburg, she created an inclusive atmosphere for artistic expression.
Her talent for depicting landscapes and nature sparked her interest in Sumi-e techniques. In Ohio she studied Oriental Painting from Mitsuko Sakata and in Florida she learned from Diana Kan, among other sources. She was accepted into the Sumi-e Society of America, Salmagundi Club of New York City and subsequently began teaching at the Saint Petersburg College in Florida. Aleada has always held great respect for her elders and so, in addition to her artistic work, she taught senior citizens at the Eckerd College Elderhostel Program in Florida.
Exhibitions, Shows, Lectures and Demonstrations
Aleada Aine Siragusa is recognized for her exhibitions and shows throughout Florida. Her notable contributions include displays at the International Miniature Art Society of Florida and the Morean Art Center Members Show in Saint Petersburg. A strong advocate for her local community, Aleada has exhibited her work in Saint Petersburg galleries such as the Florida Craftsman Gallery, Sports Collectables at the Saint Petersburg Pier, the Saint Petersburg Pier Aquarium, and Pinellas County Pierfest. She has also showcased her work at the Fall Art Harvest at Dunedin Art Center and exhibited at Senator Gerald Rhem in Dunedin, Florida.
Beyond her exhibitions, Aleada has shared her knowledge through lectures and demonstrations at renowned venues, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Burdines, and the Garden Club of Saint Petersburg in Saint Petersburg, Florida; the Suntan Art Center of Saint Pete Beach, the Treasure Island Community Center, and the Pinellas Park Art Society.
Sculpture and Notable Commissions
While her passion for nature has driven her to create remarkable paintings of the world around her, Aleada Aine Siragusa's skill in sculpture and portraiture can not be understated. She was commissioned to sculpt the Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Tampa Bay Poodle Club of Florida and the Orlando Poodle Club of Florida, the Silver Club Continental Show Trophy and Silver Club Puppy Trophy in Maryland, the Challenge Trophy for the Tampa Bay Poodle Club and the Challenge Tropy for the National Chinese Shar-Pei Club. In addition to these sculptures she exhibited at the Poodle Club of America and the National Silver Poodle Club in Maryland and the Sarasota Dog Show in Florida.
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Other notable commissions include a Baseball Portrait presented to Barry Bond and the Logo for the Medicine Horse Therapeutic Horse Camp in Florida.
Florida Landscape
While in Florida, Aleada Aine Siragusa was enchanted by the landscape and creates captivating paintings that celebrated the beauty of the Florida. With a keen eye for detail, she creates stunning landscapes that showcase ocean views and the serene flatwoods forests of her surroundings. Whether working in open air or in her studio, Aleada brings her unique perspective and vibrant colors to life, inviting viewers to experience beauty of Florida’s diverse natural landscapes.
New Mexico Landscape
Living in New Mexico, Aleada Aine Siragusa captures the stunning beauty of the land through her art. She captures the beauty and essence of nature with paint, whether working in the studio or outdoors painting the vistas that surround her. Whether painting majestic mountains, vibrant trees, or the endearing wildlife around her, each piece reflects her deep connection to the landscape. Her ability to translate the essence of the outdoors onto canvas invites viewers to experience the rich colors and textures of her surroundings. With every stroke, Aleada transports us to the heart of nature, showcasing the enchanting spirit of New Mexico.
Resume
Exhibitions and Shows - Selected
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Sumi e Society of America the Salmagundi Club in New York City
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International Miniature Art Society of Florida
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Morean Art Center Members Show in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Florida Craftsmen Gallery in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Saint Petersburg Pier Aquarium in in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Sports Collectables on the Saint Petersburg Pier in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Pinellas County Pierfest in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Fall Art Harvest in the Dunedin Art Center in Dunedin, Florida
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Senator Gerald Rhem in Dunedin, Florida​
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Poodle Club of America in Maryland
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Sarasota Dog Show in Sarasota, Florida
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National Silver Poodle Club in Maryland
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Emily Davis Art Center in the University of Akron,Ohio
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University of Akron Graduate Show in EJ Thomas Hall in Akron, Ohio
Teaching Experience
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St. Petersburg College, Florida
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Eckerd College Elderhostel Program, Florida
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Pinellas County Board of Education, Florida
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A Very Special Arts Festival Program, St. Petersburg FL
Lectures and Demonstrations - Selected
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Museum of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Treasure Island Community Center in Treasure Island, Florida
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Burdines in St. Petersburg, Florida
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Suntan Art Center in St Pete Beach, FL
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Pinellas Park Art Society in Pinellas Park, FL
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Garden Club of Saint Petersburg in Saint Petersburg, Florida
Commissions - Selected
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Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Tampa Bay Poodle Club in Tampa, Florida
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Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Orlando Poodle Club in Orlando, Florida
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Silver Club Continental Show Trophy in Maryland
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Silver Club Puppy Trophy in Maryland
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Challenge Trophy for the Tampa Bay Poodle Club in Tampa, Florida
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Challenge Trophy for the National Chinese Shar-Pei Club
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Portrait on Baseball presented to Barry Bond
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Logo for the Medicine Horse Therapeutic Horse Camp in Florida
Education
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Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio
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Major in Painting with Minors in Sculpture and Art History​
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Oriental Painting study with Mitsuko Sakata in Ohio​
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Oriental Painting study with Diana Kan
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Portrait Painting study with Daniel Greene
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Oil Panting and Miniature Painting study with Joan Willies in Clearwater, Florida
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Oil Painting and Miniature Painting study with Jeanne Dunn in Largo, Florida
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Oil Painting, Figure and Portrait study with Christopher Drake at the Morean Art Center in Saint Petersburg, Florida
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Mixed Media study with Jack Barrett at the Morean Art Center in Saint Petersburg, Florida