Tarpon Springs showcases popular oil painter’s work for February

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Tarpon Springs is featuring the work of a well-known oil painter. 

Fran Failla grew up in Brooklyn. She went to an illustrious art school in Manhattan.

But a few years ago, she decided to make a change.

“On Christmas Day, I found myself on Clearwater Beach in about 75 degree weather, and I said, ‘You know, I’m here,'” Failla said.

Failla now lives here in Tampa Bay.

The Tarpon Art Guild is displaying dozens of her paintings for the month of February. She’s enjoying the spotlight. While walking through the gallery of her artwork, Failla was honest.

“When you have this many pieces, it’s like, ‘Wow, this impresses me too,’” she said.

She’s impressed others as well with what she can do with a paintbrush.

Failla specializes in still life and is known for her colors.

“I love bright saturated warms and cool colors,” she said. “I love painting old things, like ceramics and tea cups and metals.” 

One of her paintings featured in the art exhibit, called “Quiet Solitude,” was painted in two hours.

“This was a very simple still life I decided to do because I had gotten this teapot from an antique shop, and I loved it,” Failla said. “I paint very fast, by the way.”

That’s fast, but not as fast as her answer of ‘yes’ when the art guild asked if she wanted to show off her work.

“I got a phone call, asking if I wanted the space for a month, and I was like, ‘Yeah!’” Failla said.

Guests can see Failla’s work at the Tarpon Art Guild on Tarpon Avenue. No tickets are required to see the exhibit. The venue is open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday.