The Sarasota Modern, a boutique hotel near the Gulf Coast in Sarasota’s Rosemary District, had already opened its doors in December 2018 when they decided to commission a large abstract mural for the building’s exterior. They wanted something visually striking—something that would echo the creative spirit of the neighborhood and the surrounding mid-century architecture.

In December 2019, I was awarded the project. The mural, titledSunset, is a 26 by 32-foot composition inspired by mid-century artists and the warm, coastal light of southwest Florida. The hotel worked closely with the City of Sarasota to ensure the design reflected their shared values and that safety and maintenance considerations were built into the installation process.

The final artwork was reproduced on powder-printed aluminum panels and installed on the hotel’s north-facing wall, just off the Boulevard of the Arts. A couple of short years after completing the mural, I discovered the work of the late Syd Solomon—a mid-century painter who lived and worked in nearby Siesta Key. I was struck by the visual parallels between our work, including my mural,Sunset. Seeing his work made me feel an unexpected connection—not just to him, but to this place, and how it seems to shape the way artists respond to light and space.

Inside The Sarasota Modern, several of my original paintings are also on display in their dedicated gallery space. A Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott, the property continues to support art and design as part of its identity as a “hotel with heart.”