Gemstone Painting

"To create a powerful and moving abstract image is a gratifying experience for any artist. To have that image appreciated by the viewer is an even greater joy. " As a contemporary abstract artist working in acrylics, I am inspired by the natural beauty around me. My goal is to capture the mood of the moment on canvas, whether in an entirely abstract painting or in my abstracted interpretation of a natural scene. My work reflects my love of color and the interplay of light and texture. Although my work is abstract, it elicits emotional responses from viewers and is frequently described as "beautiful". My paintings may, at times, be subtle and at other times bold and vibrant. Strong composition, visual texture, bold use of color and trusting my intuition are just some of the elements I employ as I explore the possibilities of my blank canvas. My journey as an artist began a long time ago. After several years spent teaching art to high school students and several more years raising our 3 sons, I was finally able to devote myself to creating art. What initially started as a project to decorate my own home, quickly became a full-time business of supplying custom art to interior designers. In time, I "discovered" the internet and began showing my work to the world. My original paintings are found in collections throughout the US and Europe. Filomena holds a B.A. degree in fine art education from Newark State College, now Kean University, in New Jersey. She has taken a variety of graduate courses at Montclair State College, as well as studied at the Dunedin Art Center in Florida. She has also participated in and currently teaches private abstract painting workshops at her home studio in Florida.