I Believe in Discovery I & II, Florida Coastal Painting of the Discovery of Florida, by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon in 1513, I followed his route around the state. I also boarded a replica of his galleon which had sailed here from Spain. This was exciting to trace the history of the state I love! This set of two paintings form a diptych to represent the natural coastal areas where Ponce de Leon and his men came ashore. Sitting on the horizon is the galleon. The sand path goes inland and returns towards the ship. The tropical palms, sand dunes and azure waters are the discovery. The orange sunrise sky symbolizes what is dawning...a new land. Diptych 24"x 36" Oils, (each 18 x 24").

I Believe in Discovery, A Florida Coastal Landscape with Palm, Dunes, and Ocean by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

This paintings is a compilation of what Ponce de Leon saw when he first discovered the peninsula of Florida 500 years ago. This is also part II of a complete diptych tying the sailing explorers together with the land they discovered. Bold in color, it emphasizes the boldness of Ponce and his men. I hope this encourages others to keep Florida's natural beauty the way they found it long ago. 18x24 oil on board.

I Believe in Discovery, A Florida Oil Painting of the Discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon, by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

This past year the state of Florida celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon. A replica of his ship, El Galeon, sailed from Spain to Florida to retrace where Ponce de Leon had gone around the peninsula. I toured this beautiful sailing ship while it docked at Port Canaveral. After visiting the coastal areas around the state where Ponce and his men explored, I painted a large diptych to honor them. This is the first part. 18x24 Oil on board.

Chief Wm McKinley Osceola, Oil Painting of Florida History by Judy Batterson

This painting was inspired by a vintage postcard of Chief Osceola when he was a young man living with his Seminole tribe in the Everglades near Miami. Normally I don't show a painting in a frame, but this frame completes the painting by giving it an historical feeling. He was known as a great hunter and fisherman and made headlines when he presented Pres. Truman a Seminole shirt in 1947. A fascinating part of Florida history! 5x7" Original oil framed in beautiful carved dark wood. $125.