After moving from Delaware to Florida in 2004, I fell in love with the tropical landscape, beautiful beaches and sunny weather. Growing up in the Mid-Atlantic, I have always lived close to the beach and a dose of saltwater has been able to cure just about anything. As a teenager, I fell in love with art but never saw it as a viable career option. Life got busy, I finished college and landed a job with a great company (doing nothing at all related to art) and have been there for the last 16 + years. I rediscovered painting about 10 years ago. While it was fun, I would agonize over every painting with some of my work sitting unfinished on the easel for 6 months or more. I realized I was not improving and the process was actually becoming stressful for me.

So, last year, I started working with a painting instructor and it was the best decision I have ever made. I was lucky to find an amazing teacher, who has also become a great friend. She has more than 25 years experience as an art instructor and professional artist and has taught me so much. She has made painting fun for me and has taught me the art of letting go - whenever I hesitate or stress over a brushstroke, I can hear her voice saying, “Jodi, it’s just paint……come on!”

I focus on tropical, fun paintings that remind me of great vacations, family memories and awesome days spent on the beach. I really enjoy playing with color and while I am still finding my style, most of my work is very colorful and vibrant. I have been lucky enough to live at the beach for almost my whole life, and I hope I can provide some of that tranquility and warmth for others. I don’t believe anyone is successful alone, and I couldn’t do this without the help of my husband, Dave. He is the other side of Tres Gatos Studio. He helps with framing, prepping canvases and most importantly provides feedback on each of my paintings. If you enjoy them, it is probably thanks to him.

The studio is named for my three cats. I love all animals, but our hearts were captured by a 5 year old abandoned cat in 2003. She turned us into cat people and although we miss her everyday, her spirit lives on in our 2 current kitties. We remind them everyday that they owe the big sister who came before them a debt for their current (totally spoiled) situation. You may see glimpses of our girls in some of my paintings. Buffet, Utley and Jimi, this is all for you!

tresgatosstudio1@gmail.com