Island outdoor sketchers hold first session of season
A group of artists gathered under cloudless skies last week at Matlacha Park to “sketch,” paint and draw the beauty that is Southwest Florida.
“This is a beautiful spot,” member Denege Patterson said. “We are the Pine Island Outdoor Sketchers and we work at different locations on Matlacha and Pine Island.
“The group was started by Peter Quigley at Flamingo Bay on Pine Island,” Patterson continued. “A group of people wanted to use the clubhouse to learn about art. Mr. Quigley was a renowned artist from Boston and was asked to work with the group. His spirit was such that he thought everyone should be invited to do art because everyone has a creative part of themselves.”
Although it was the first seasonal meeting of the group there were 14 members present, at the height of the season membership peaks at 25 or 30 people.
One longtime member, who is 97 year old, is Florence Sansom, who travels from North Fort Myers every week.
“I was born in the caretakers house on the Edison Estate in 1917,” Sansom said. “My father was caretaker there and knew Mr. Edison. I’ve always been involved in art. I was a hairdresser for many years, that’s a kind of art. People would come from Fort Myers to my shop in North Fort Myers to have their hair done. I like to sketch and paint historical things. Like the old stepping stones used to get into carriages. I also do people and portraits.”
Sansom published a book in 2010 that is her life story told through her award-winning paintings titled: “Edisonia Native Girl: The Life Story of Florence Keen Sansom born on the Edison Estate, Fort Myers, Florida.” The Florida native tells her story with humor. It is a life story intertwined with Southwest Florida history.
The Pine Island Outdoor Sketchers meet on the first Tuesday of November. The last session of the season is held on the last Tuesday in April.
The next meetings are held from 10 a.m to noon:
Nov. 18 Crossed Palms Gallery, 8315 Main Street, Bokeelia
Nov. 25 Calusa Heritage Trail, Randell Research Center (across from Tarpon Lodge)
There is no charge to join the group from 10 a.m. to noon.
For additional information call Denege Patterson at 239-282-2618 or email denege@earthlink.net Cell: 239-728-8127.