Our Story

From Heartbreak to Healing Through Art

Pineapple Picasso was born from grief, love, and the unshakable bond I shared with my younger sister.

She was just 47 when she lost her battle with Multiple Myeloma in 2018. Her death broke me in ways I didn’t expect. In my pain, I turned to art—not as a profession, but as a way to cope. I began creating resin pieces, pouring my sadness, love, and memories into every stroke. It became my therapy, my way to keep her with me.

My sister adored pineapples—so much that I named my studio after her. Pineapple Picasso is not just a business; it’s her legacy.

After 30 years as a public school teacher supporting students with special needs, I felt a shift. The pandemic and a devastating hurricane left me feeling disconnected from the classroom. Teaching had been my calling, but not my purpose anymore. At 54, I realized it was time to follow a different path—one that honored my sister and helped others heal through creativity, as I had.

In my search for peace, I even met with a medium. Skeptical but desperate for a connection, I asked, “What does my sister think about my art?” The medium paused, looked up, and said, “She said make it bigger.”

That was all I needed to hear.

And I did. I began entering craft shows, then had my pieces accepted into a few stores. I spent four years volunteering at Cape Coral re:Made, a nonprofit that supported local artists and entrepreneurs. There, I learned what it would take to run a business. I also enrolled in a Goodwill Industries business course and realized how much more there was to understand—especially about finances—but I pushed forward.

Then, tragedy struck again. A Category 5 hurricane destroyed Cape Coral re:Made, the very place where I and many artists shared our work. That’s when I knew Pineapple Picasso needed to become more than just my dream—it needed to be a safe, creative home for our entire artist community.

On June 20, 2023, I opened the doors to Pineapple Picasso.