Gayle Lerman-DeCoste is a Painter, Author and Publicist. A native of Massachusetts with a BA in Art Therapy, she moved to Florida in 2004. She painted in the art colony of Rockport, MA for many years, where she studied under prestigious artists Betty Lou Schleem, Marilyn Swift, Margaret Laurie and Martin Ahearn.

Her paintings reflect the New England vernacular, the craggy rocks along the Cape Anne Seashore, the subtleties of reflectivity. She is inspired by a play of light against shadow, and works with the elements of nature to create design. Her florals are realistic and subtle. Today she paints the warmth and glow of the magnificent Florida sunsets, and prefers the unpredictability of watercolor. She is noted for her spontaneous color and design and her ability to convey the emotion of the moment to the viewer.

“My paintings are a reflection of my connection with nature, of light and shadow, working with warms and cools to create depth, curvature and space in the natural world. The ocean, the landscape and nature draw me.”

For eighteen years she conducted workshops in plein air, taught privately and as an art therapist. Her most prided accomplishment is teaching a 99 year old woman to paint in watercolor. Three years later, when the woman was 102 years old, Gayle held a solo exhibit for her at the local library.

Gayle has served in MA as President of the Malden Guild of Artists and the Malden Cultural Council. Currently, she is Publicity Director and Exhibition coordinator for West Coast Players Theatre in Clearwater, Fl. Her artist memberships include the TESA, Marblehead Arts Association, Rockport Art Association and Paintings Direct.com.

She has exhibited in more than sixty juried shows. Her landscapes and seascapes have received numerous awards, many Best of Shows, and her work is represented by galleries, public buildings and private collections throughout the country. From 1996-2000 she had an ongoing solo art exhibition on the walls of the State House in Boston.

A freelance writer and published author, Gayle currently resides in Dunedin Fl. where she continues to write and paint