Artist Statement
"I am an artist devoted to incorporating my love of horses, cattle and natural Florida into fine art paintings that include the historical Florida Cracker lifestyle. I am driven to communicate through visual arts the true meaning of the term, "Florida Cracker", and revealing the mystery of the Florida Cracker Cow Hunter. While my art creations are not limited to Florida Cracker subjects, I remain dedicated to this pursuit. I typically work in acrylic or oil paint mediums to create an impactful statement in visual format that may invoke a type of emotion or sense of nostalgia in the viewer.
The State of Florida has an ever-increasing population who may visit or move from other States or countries and do not know our Florida history. It is necessary to present our history with visual presentation so that children and adults alike may understand our heritage lest it be forgotten. It is necessary for the public in Florida to understand the significance of our agricultural heritage before it is lost forever to development. I have found that my art is an effective, interesting way to share this heritage and help create a sense of appreciation for natural Florida.
One unique strategy that I use to create all of my art is to study its historical or natural significance. I explore Florida on foot, by car and by horseback to help my research of the modern-day Florida Cracker Trail and natural Florida. I oftentimes paint "en plein air", or outdoors, in natural or ranch settings. I am in training to horseback ride the 141-mile Official Florida Cracker Trail Ride annually starting in February 2019 as part of my commitment to historic preservation through my art. My work may be viewed at the Art Studio and Gallery of Jerri Phillips in Ellenton, Florida."
The State of Florida has an ever-increasing population who may visit or move from other States or countries and do not know our Florida history. It is necessary to present our history with visual presentation so that children and adults alike may understand our heritage lest it be forgotten. It is necessary for the public in Florida to understand the significance of our agricultural heritage before it is lost forever to development. I have found that my art is an effective, interesting way to share this heritage and help create a sense of appreciation for natural Florida.
One unique strategy that I use to create all of my art is to study its historical or natural significance. I explore Florida on foot, by car and by horseback to help my research of the modern-day Florida Cracker Trail and natural Florida. I oftentimes paint "en plein air", or outdoors, in natural or ranch settings. I am in training to horseback ride the 141-mile Official Florida Cracker Trail Ride annually starting in February 2019 as part of my commitment to historic preservation through my art. My work may be viewed at the Art Studio and Gallery of Jerri Phillips in Ellenton, Florida."
About
Jerri, a Florida native, is a serious painter who is greatly influenced by subjects around her including the Florida landscape, wildlife, horses, cattle, ranch scenes, animal portraits, guitars and historical Florida Cracker scenes. She works primarily in acrylics on canvas or board. She has volunteered to promote arts in the Parrish and surrounding North River areas since 2013. Her new Ellenton studio and gallery opened in 2017. She offers her own works and guest artist works for sale, gallery openings and private art instruction for all ages at beginner level. The studio offers art workshops by Barbara Hart. Jerri has exhibited work in multiple venues including museums, art centers and galleries in Manatee, Sarasota and Pinellas Counties.
Jerri states, “It is exciting when my artwork evokes an emotional response in another. Art connects us, enriches our lives and makes us further appreciate the ‘real’ world.”
Art Studio & Gallery of Jerri Phillips opened June 2017
In conjunction with Guitar Lessons by John Phillips
Monthly art openings with live guitar music
Working art studio with private lessons
Florida Cracker art gallery and open gallery
Original art, prints, note cards by Jerri Phillips for sale
Guest artist original work for sale
Acrylic paintings and art instruction
Painting demonstrations
Professional Private Art Instruction-
Hourly Private Art Instruction for children and adults, 2016-current
Beginning Level and Paint along, Bradenton, Parrish and Ellenton
Exhibitions-
Single Artist Exhibition, Art Studio & Gallery of Jerri Phillips, 2017-Current
Juried Plein Air Exhibition, The Gallery at Gulf & Pine, Anna Maria
Juried Winter Exhibition, Art & Frame Sarasota, 2018
Juried Fall Exhibition, Art & Frame Sarasota, 2017, “Spoonbill Landing”, Honorable Mention
Single Artist Exhibition, “Honoring the Open Range: Memories through Art”, 2017
Manatee Village Historical Park, Bradenton
Agricultural Exhibition, “Citrus Kitsch”, 2017
Manatee Agricultural Museum, Palmetto
Galleries on the Go Exhibition and Opening, Spring 2017
Boca Bay Grille, Gulfport
Florida Cracker Cowboy Exhibition and Palmetto Heritage Day 2016
Designed themed postal cancellation stamp for Palmetto Historical Park post office
Palmetto Historical Park, Palmetto
Florida Cracker Cowboy Exhibition, 2015
Manatee Agricultural Museum, Palmetto
Women of the North River, Art Exhibition, 2015
Palmetto Historical Park & Manatee Agricultural Museum, Palmetto
Parrish Arts Council Member Exhibitions 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Rocky Bluff Library, Ellenton
Organizations and Memberships-
Parrish Arts Council, Inc, Parrish, 2016-2018 Past President, Current Board
Florida Cracker Trail Association, Current Member
Museum of Fine Arts, St Petersburg, Current Member (NARM, SERM Member)
Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Current Member
Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau “Artversations” Participant
Group Art Activities-
Parrish En Plein Air, Organized/led 2014-2016 through The Parrish Arts Council
Mural Painting at Florida Railroad Museum and History of Parrish Experience, 2016
Great American Paint Out, Oil Painters of America en plein air, 2017
Light Chasers of the Gulf Coast, en plein air, 2017
Harrison Ranch Artist Guild, Fundraiser Paintaround, 2016, 2017, 2018
Parrish Arts Council, Fundraiser Paintaround, 2017
Jerri states, “It is exciting when my artwork evokes an emotional response in another. Art connects us, enriches our lives and makes us further appreciate the ‘real’ world.”
Art Studio & Gallery of Jerri Phillips opened June 2017
In conjunction with Guitar Lessons by John Phillips
Monthly art openings with live guitar music
Working art studio with private lessons
Florida Cracker art gallery and open gallery
Original art, prints, note cards by Jerri Phillips for sale
Guest artist original work for sale
Acrylic paintings and art instruction
Painting demonstrations
Professional Private Art Instruction-
Hourly Private Art Instruction for children and adults, 2016-current
Beginning Level and Paint along, Bradenton, Parrish and Ellenton
Exhibitions-
Single Artist Exhibition, Art Studio & Gallery of Jerri Phillips, 2017-Current
Juried Plein Air Exhibition, The Gallery at Gulf & Pine, Anna Maria
Juried Winter Exhibition, Art & Frame Sarasota, 2018
Juried Fall Exhibition, Art & Frame Sarasota, 2017, “Spoonbill Landing”, Honorable Mention
Single Artist Exhibition, “Honoring the Open Range: Memories through Art”, 2017
Manatee Village Historical Park, Bradenton
Agricultural Exhibition, “Citrus Kitsch”, 2017
Manatee Agricultural Museum, Palmetto
Galleries on the Go Exhibition and Opening, Spring 2017
Boca Bay Grille, Gulfport
Florida Cracker Cowboy Exhibition and Palmetto Heritage Day 2016
Designed themed postal cancellation stamp for Palmetto Historical Park post office
Palmetto Historical Park, Palmetto
Florida Cracker Cowboy Exhibition, 2015
Manatee Agricultural Museum, Palmetto
Women of the North River, Art Exhibition, 2015
Palmetto Historical Park & Manatee Agricultural Museum, Palmetto
Parrish Arts Council Member Exhibitions 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
Rocky Bluff Library, Ellenton
Organizations and Memberships-
Parrish Arts Council, Inc, Parrish, 2016-2018 Past President, Current Board
Florida Cracker Trail Association, Current Member
Museum of Fine Arts, St Petersburg, Current Member (NARM, SERM Member)
Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Current Member
Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau “Artversations” Participant
Group Art Activities-
Parrish En Plein Air, Organized/led 2014-2016 through The Parrish Arts Council
Mural Painting at Florida Railroad Museum and History of Parrish Experience, 2016
Great American Paint Out, Oil Painters of America en plein air, 2017
Light Chasers of the Gulf Coast, en plein air, 2017
Harrison Ranch Artist Guild, Fundraiser Paintaround, 2016, 2017, 2018
Parrish Arts Council, Fundraiser Paintaround, 2017