Art by Paula Ferree at Shangri-La Gifts in Ithaca NY

Artist Paula Ferreé is recognized for captivatingly spirited oil-on-canvas botanical paintings. Contemporary yet classic, Ferreé's portraits of the natural world are as unique and powerful as the plants she celebrates in grand scale.

Influenced at an early age by the flower paintings of Georgia O'Keefe, and by the lush jungle paintings of the 19th century artist Henri Rousseau, she paints the exotic plants and flowers that flourish across Arizona and Southern California.

Ferreé's passion for communicating the spiritual persona inherent in agave, aloe and yucca has created fine art botanicals adored for their aesthetic impact. The magnolia blossom, stargazer lily, and sacred lotus evoke an exuberant joy, cherished by collecters of Ferreé's work.

A dedicated painter since childhood, Ferreé has the rare ability to capture both botanical realism, and an emotional energy within plants and flowers. This personal vision engages the viewer with a feeling of enlightened connection to the subject and its message. Ferreé's paintings resonate with unabashed strength and sensuality, delighting those who share in this intimate portrayal of nature.

Paula Ferreé's original oils and lithographs are represented in numerous private and public collections throughout the country, and may be purchased exclusively through Shangri-La.

Paula Ferreé never stepped foot into an art class and is creating painting's of the countries exotic flora that are equated by many people as on par with Georgia O'Keefe work's.

Many people are best self-taught when there is a passion for whatever field, and a self directive with drive and high persistence on any given course!

When life imitates art and art imitates life you will find out the truth to what Oscar Wilde said about a century ago,

"What crime is to the lower classes, art is to the upper classes."

After watching a Francis Coppola film, such as Lost Horizon, you will say indeed, it is so. The art of Paula Ferreé is another reason why Shangri-La in Downtown Ithaca is an oasis in the midst of a frozen February landscape.

The fine art of Paula Ferreé is on permanent exhibit at Shangri-La's downtown Ithaca store, on "The Commons" at 156 East State Street. During the the cold month of February 2004, we will have a special exhibit of Paula Ferreé's stunning botanicals. This exhibit will open and close with special receptions. The opening reception was held at 5 PM, January 23rd. Click on picture below for more RECEPTION details. For exhibit details contact us at 607-272-5955 or 607-272-6156.