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.

Bertha Palmer

A Chicago socialite who, after being widowed, chose to move to Sarasota instead of accepting marriage proposals abroad. She became a pioneering rancher, introduced innovative agricultural practices, and was known to work alongside her laborers. Her estate later became Historic Spanish Point.

Marie Selby

An adventurous spirit who preferred fishing, racing boats, gardening, and horseback riding over formal society events. She was also the first woman to drive across the United States. Her estate is now home to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and she was a passionate supporter of the arts and women’s advancement.

Mable Ringling

A patron of the arts whose influence helped establish Sarasota as a creative hub. Her legacy lives on through The Ringling Museum and the Ringling College of Art & Design, institutions that continue to shape the city’s artistic culture.

Eugenie Clark

Known as the “Shark Lady,” Eugenie Clark was a pioneering marine biologist who transformed our understanding of sharks. Her groundbreaking research led to the creation of a marine laboratory that eventually became the renowned Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

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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