Meet the new artists

Daniela Voce has many silhouettes among her works, which can be seen at Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery. She is one of the new artists who will be welcomed at a reception on Nov. 21. [Submitted photo]

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Posted November 17, 2025 | By Margo Wilson

Meet painters who specialize in flowers, colors, textures, abstract shapes and mermaids when Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon welcomes several new artists at a reception for them from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 21.

The artists include Daniela Maria Voce, a Columbian-American artist, who said she has been “deeply influenced by my roots in both cultures: never fully fitting in, yet appreciative of the richness of each.” She likes to create silhouettes and abstract shapes, as well as what she calls, “fragmented art,” which she describes as work in which “each brushstroke or marking is a piece of something greater.” She uses an array of media, including watercolor and ink; acrylic dot art or “puntillismo” and woodburning.

Robert Ralph uses pencil, pen and ink, watercolors and charcoal to create vibrant nature-scapes and wildlife renderings. He participates in many art festivals. He said his wife, Alexis, encouraged him to explore art when he was 55. According to Ralph, “the gift of creativity resides in each one of us. …  Creativity and imagination have many different forms of expression; experiment, find yours and have fun with it. Be serious or silly, be real or imaginative, but let it flow out of you and for God’s glory.”

Barbara Batchelder grew up in Maine, where her teachers complimented her on her art but she pursued a profession in accounting. When she was about 45, she took a class at the Maine School of Art and was surprised how much she enjoyed the course. After moving to Summerfield, south of Ocala, she took a painting class at a local college and since then has participated in many art festivals along the East Coast. Her favorite medium is acrylics and she is attracted to painting flowers and nature in a style that uses color and makes her paintings “pop,” she said.

Brenda Pate is another acrylic painter, but her work might be classified as “mixed media.” She incorporates such materials as coffee grounds and other dimensional substances to add texture and depth to her work. A Georgia native, Pate traveled the country while working 30 years in the insurance industry. She says Picasso has influenced her work, which she describes as “modern impressions.” Her Cubism-style paintings feature bright colors. She’s a member of galleries and art groups in Florida and Georgia, including in The Villages.

Martha Pelot specializes in using mixed-media acrylics to create works that she describes as “a dance of color and form.” And almost all of her pieces depict mermaids. She said her work is “both playful and intuitive. Each piece I create is a journey, an unfolding narrative that reveals itself layer by layer.”

Mary Ann Conkle creates beaded mandalas and suncatchers, lights and windchimes with painted glass and shells. She also paints stand-alone shells that are as detailed as Ukrainian “pysanky” eggs but with a colorful and unique Florida vibe.

The gallery is located at 20826 Walnut St., Dunnellon. All are welcome to attend the reception, which will include light hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

To learn more, go to rainbowspringsart.com or call (352) 763-4048.