ARTISTs IN RESIDENCE
By John Sprecher MEET A REMARKABLE FAMILY OF ARTISTS THAT YOU’LL FIND Inspi red and Inspi rat iona l Images: Milissa Sprecher
For Joelene Barb, a classically trained Sanibel painter famous for her playful, whimsical caricature-type works, the words artistry and creativity should never be considered exclusive to a select group of predominantly right-brained types. Rather, Barb is a passionate proponent that “everyone is an artist, everyone has a beautiful
the Southwest FloridaWine &Food Fest (to benefit local children’s charities) at a record $500,000 for a child artist. But that’s only part of this remarkable story of Sophia — who at the age of nine was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. While it’s
expression — whether it’s writing, music, painting or any other medium. There’s art in really everything we do, and an artist in everybody, of any age.”
the most common form of leukemia in children, it’s also the most curable, with an 85% survival rate. Today, Sophia is in remission, but undergoes tests monthly to monitor her progress against the disease.
“When the bid went to $500,000, it was like there were sparkles in the room.”
Joelene would know. The mother of four, she’s nurtured and grown artistic expression in each of her children — Chelsee, her 22-year-old daughter and partner in Among the Flowers, a natural foods and holistic café at Tahitian Gardens on Sanibel; Vinnie, 19 years old; and Stella, nine years old. But the most famous of her foursome has to be 11-year-old Sophia, whose pen and pencil work entitled “Mia the Warrior Cat” was purchased at auction this past March at
“Sophia has always expressed herself artistically, even as a baby,” Joelene notes. “I painted murals for years, and she was the baby that always came with me. She was 18 months old and often, I had to give her a brush while I was painting a room and she tapped on the wall like Mommy.” She laughs. “I would go and paint over what she did, after she fell asleep.”
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