The Story Behind Sarasota Girls

Sarasota Girls is one of my most beloved paintings, originally created as a donation piece for the local nonprofit Halo Arts. Years later, prints and stationery of this piece remain some of my most popular works.

The painting honors four remarkable women who helped shape Sarasota into the city it is today: Bertha Palmer, Marie Selby, Mable Ringling, and Eugenie Clark.

Eugenie Clark

Aka the “Shark Lady!” Everything (almost) that we know about sharks is thanks to her research. She is the first marine scientist to study them, & because of her- the Vanderbilts built a marine laboratory here for her research. Today that lab is the incredible Mote Marine Aquarium! She is seen here tossing her heels for flippers.

Mable Ringling

Her support of the arts made Sarasota the creative hub it is today. She is holding a painting of the Ringling Bridge & a watering can. I myself was married at the Ringling Mansion, and graduated from Ringling College of Art & Design, so her legacy will always hold a special place in my heart.

Marie Selby

Her orchid at her feet, she is dressed ready for any Sarasota outdoor sport. She preferred racing boats, fishing, gardening, & horseback riding to fancy parties. She is wearing driving goggles because she was the first woman to drive across the USA in an automobile! She too donated her estate, & was involved in supporting women in all ways - especially the arts.

Bertha Palmer

Chicago socialite who, upon being widowed, turned down prince proposals abroad to move here & learn to ranch. She created new farming practices, was known to work alongside her workers, & became a savvy businesswoman. She donated her estate which is now known as Historic Spanish Point.

I first became fascinated with their stories while visiting Sarasota’s historic landmarks with my two little boys. As they explored the parks and museums, I found myself reading the history plaques and later diving deeper into the lives of these women and the lasting impact they had on our community.

The idea for the painting came to me while reflecting on ideas for the Halo Arts show. I imagined the four women walking together along the shoreline—stepping away from the expectations of their time and into the adventurous lives they chose.

Painted on the beach tossing aside heels and tiaras for saltwater life, these four pioneers arrived in Sarasota when it was little more than a fishing village. Through their contributions to science, agriculture, the arts, and culture, they helped shape the Sarasota we know today!

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