Newark, Ohio---Artist and Author, Jeannie Ferrara has become well-known in the community as a writer and public relations professional. Since working with both Lisa Jill Alllison, Lynne Barletta, and the Visionary School of Arts, Jeannie has also re-ignited her own art career. Being trained by curators and artist-instructors at museums at a very early age, Jeannie originally attended community college with a double major in art and English. When she originally came to Florida in her early 20’s, Jeannie worked as a graphic designer. She soon found out that the “starving artist” lifestyle was a difficult road, and that life would “get in the way” of her creative endeavors.

Jeannie put her art on hold….and it would hibernate to surface only for special projects such as building sets for VBS programs, designing logos, and graphics for church, children, and non-profit programs. Thanks to the support and encouragement of Allison and VSA, Jeannie has started painting again! Her work is eclectic, making good use of many different mediums. She works mainly with acrylics and ink, creating the appearance of three-dimensional abstract images and collages. Jeannie has also begun to work with digital art, creating unique images from photographs that she has taken throughout Martin County. All of her work is available through www.fineartamerica.com. 20% of the proceeds from the sales of her original works benefit the Visionary School of Arts scholarship fund.

Moreover, Jeannie has been blessed to become an active contributor and trusted source to over 40 different media outlets in South Florida. In 2009, she published her first "bound" book entitled, "The Fatherless American: The Minority that is Changing America which is being sold on Amazon.com. and is KINDLE activated. In addition, Jeannie also released the second book, "Publicity & Marketing For Mere Mortals" in July 2010. This book grew from her work over the past 15 years on the Treasure Coast with local non-profits and Church organizations that continually ask, "How do you do it (citizen journalism)?" Media convergence, declining revenue for major publishing house (hence, decreasing staff sizes in news outlets) has created both opportunities and challenges for those that need to communicate with a large audience. Both books are also available on KINDLE, and Jeannie's articles have been also been published in the University of Phoenix Alumni magazine, January 2010, and the Florida Public Relations Association newsletter. On a more personal note, Jeannie has lived in Florida, off and on for 25 years now and currently resides in Palm City, FL. She is Christian Mom of three very children. One in college in Ohio, and one in high school….and one, well he is a musician too! All three are very active in music programs with their schools and community organizations. A recent graduate of the University of Phoenix Bachelors Program in Communications had been a challenge, yet Jeannie thrived in this high-pressure atmosphere, and earned her degree summa cum laude.

A self-described overwhelmingly type "A" personality, she tends to do all of her writing very, very early in the morning. If you cannot tell from the time stamp on her facebook posts. Jeannie makes time to offer her services to her a couple of groups that are dear to her heart such as the Woman's Club of Stuart (a General Federation of Women's Clubs), and is a regular contributor to Immanuel Lutheran’s Church newsletter spotlight on volunteers, and the Eclectic Authors Showcase magazine.

Jeannie also subscribes to the theory that learning is a never-ending process, quite often she will participate in workshops about marketing, advertising, public relations, photography, and journalism in order to share what she learns with other small business owners, as well as non-profit and civic groups. Jeannie is also an advocate of social media marketing and consults with businesses owners, artists, musicians, authors and other individuals about using social media and internet websites to create measurable outcomes for her clients and colleagues. For more information please find Jeannie’s artist’s Facebook® page. The latest series of photographs are mindfulness therapy taken during a three-month period while caring for an ailing parent.

Artist Highlights

• ArtWanted.com Gallery:    Fine Art