December 7, 2016 – February 9, 2017
Sean Sexton chose a career path that combines his two passions of ranching and art. In doing this, Sexton has helped preserve the natural beauty of Florida through his paintings and dedication to agriculture. While his roots are in the cattle industry, Sexton has made a name for himself as one of Florida’s prominent artists. Some of his best-known work depicts Florida’s rugged landscape and the traditional ranching lifestyle. Sexton’s work depicts the landscapes of South Florida as well as subjects such as, religion, mortality, and man’s connection to nature. In addition to his work as a writer, poet and painter, Sexton has also channeled his creativity into ceramic sculptures. As the owner and operator of Treasure Hammock Ranch, a 600-acre ranch, Sexton is a true example of art imitating life.
The creativity in the Sexton household includes Sean’s wife, Sharon Sexton. She is a locally recognized artist for her work with ceramic sculptures and tile murals. Sharon is one of six owner-operators at the Tiger Lily Art Studios and Gallery in downtown Vero Beach. Sharon began drawing in childhood and credits her affinity for her art to her parents and especially to her father, who was an interior designer. “I grew up looking at all those beautiful fabrics Dad worked with”, she says, adding that the foliage in her paintings is inspired by the memory of those lushly patterned materials.
Also Featuring:
Keeping Tradition Alive: Pine Cone Quilts by Betty Ford Smith
The Pine Cone Quilt is also called the Pine Burr Quilt or Cuckleburr Quilt because of its pine cone design. Miss Sue, an African – American woman from Sebring, Florida, taught Betty how to make this type of quilt; fashioned entirely by hand. An old flat bed sheet is used for the base and hundreds of little 5″ squares are folded to create a triangle and then sewn onto the sheet. Pine cone quilts can weigh anywhere from 17 lbs. to 30 lbs. depending on the size and, thus, are quite useful for cold nights in northern Florida.
