I'm a Hoosier girl hailing from Indianapolis.  I retired to Bradenton, Florida because it is the Spring Training site of my husband's beloved Pittsburgh Pirates.  Luckily for me, it is also the home of miles of beautiful beaches, colorful shells and spectacular sunsets.
Approaching retirement, I realized that my "bucket list" was very shallow.  It only contained 2 items.  I wanted to learn to play golf; a work still in progress, and I wanted to take art lessons in watercolor.  Good fortune was with me again, when a newly found friend told me about the Manatee Art Center.  I enrolled in my first class in 2010 and found my passion for art.  Not only did I discover watercolor, acrylic, dye and yupo methods of painting, I also discovered my love of intense color.  I believe the intensity of the colors I choose reflect the spirit with which I lead my life.
I am currently a member of South Florida Watercolor Society and was recently honored by the city of Apopka, Florida, when they purchased a watercolor of mine to display at Apopka City Hall.  I also had the honor of having a solo art show at the Manatee County Cultural Alliance.
I was accepted as an artist at Island Gallery West in 2013 and am still there today. Island Gallery West is located at 5368 Gulf Drive on Holmes Beach at Anne Maria Island. Gallery Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.  In addition, November through April we are open on the 2nd Friday of each month from 5 pm through 7:30 pm for an open house with wine, appetizers, music and of course fine art.
You can take a virtual tour of Island Gallery West on our Facebook page.  Island Gallery West is also available on Instagram.


                                                                            Marti Salerni
                                                                            msalerni@yahoo.com
                                                                            Marti's Mixed Media LLC

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