Welcome to the Community Arts Association

CAA’s Artists of the Month: Francine Alheid and Marlene Basile

Francine Alheid: I have always been an artist, remembering coloring and painting more than stick figures from at least 4 years old. While at architecture school at IIT in Chicago, I learned watercolor techniques from Irving Shapiro. Later, in NYC, my style of painting light-bathed objects developed through workshops with watercolor illustrator, Jacqui Morgan at Pratt Manhattan. Also, at a weeklong workshop in Marathon, Florida, artist Jeanne Dobie introduced me to glowing color mixing and layering. Being a boat owner for 45 years has given me the opportunity to select many paintings with that theme. I am constantly inspired by sun play and shadows on objects and nature, and to reflect that interest, my paintings include bright, intense color with a loose detailed abstract style.

Marlene Basile: I have been painting in watercolor for a long time and decided to try water-based oil painting, which combines my watercolor and oil medium backgrounds. I love exploring new mediums and have worked in the past on textiles, pottery and stained glass works. My favorite subjects recently have been sea and ocean landscapes and doing plein air paintings.  I am also taking classes in Chinese watercolor techniques, which is completely different from Western art. Art is a lifelong journey and I am so happy to have chosen this path.

Please visit the Gallery pages to view more work by CAA artists.