Picturing Paradise: Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen + Gulfport Plein Air Painters
Gulfport Community Library · 6:00 – 8:30pm
Hemma will be painting live and displaying work alongside the Gulfport Plein Air Painters at this special Gulfport Historical Society event celebrating Florida art from Audubon to the Highwaymen.
A celebration of Gulfport creativity, sparkling geckos, and the artists who bring them to life.
Hickman Theatre · Gulfport, Florida
Art with a little extra sparkle
Come see Hemma's two-sided rhinestone gecko sculpture and other GeckoFest art at the Hickman Theatre, with original artwork available through the auction.
“I was so happy to participate with so many talented artists, but mostly I was excited to make such a sparkly, happy fellow and hope he finds the perfect new home. I hope he and his friends find the perfect new home.”
The last stop for all of the artwork will be the Gecko Ball on August 29, 2026.
A group exhibition celebrating sunshine, freedom, nostalgia, beach days, tropical escapes, and the feeling that summer never truly ends in Florida.
Artmosphere · St. Petersburg, Florida
Grandma and Granddaddy
$325 · Available
Grandma and Granddaddy will be in the gallery beginning August 21 at the Endless Summer opening. It will remain on display and for sale at the Endless Summer Show through October 10, 2026.
Join Hemma and fellow guest artists for the opening reception and explore the resident artists' studios, original artwork, and creative community at Artmosphere.
Find Hemma's art all month long in one of Gulfport's favorite local shops.
Gulfport Beach Bazaar · Gulfport, Florida
Art all November
I am so excited to be featured at my favorite shop in Gulfport for the whole month of November! I'll be adding new art throughout the month as things sell, so make sure you stop in periodically to see what's new!
You'll also love shopping their beautiful collections. I've been particularly enjoying the loose and flowy cotton clothes and handmade soaps and bug spray! You can find anything you need at the Bazaar — and in November, my art too!
Original paintings, plein aire studies, and studio works
Plein AirePainted on location, outdoors View Works
StudioWorks created in the studio View Works
Other WorksMixed media & explorations View Works
Plein Aire
Painted on location — capturing the moment as light and air change around me
GulfportGulfport, FL View Works
St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, FL View Works
MountainsMountain landscapes View Works
OtherOther locations View Works
Gulfport, FL
Painted on location in Gulfport, Florida
St. Petersburg, FL
Painted on location in St. Petersburg, Florida
Mountains
Painted on location in the mountains
Other Locations
Painted on location at other destinations
Studio
Works developed over time in the quiet of the studio
StudiesPaintings developed in the studio View Works
CommissionsCustom commissioned works View Works
My CollectionsOriginal studio collections View Works
From Artist TutorialsLearning from the masters View Works
Studies
Paintings developed in the quiet of the studio
Commissions
Custom commissioned studio works
My Collections
Original studio collections
Something cohesive is brewing.
I'm working on several collections — bodies of work built around a single theme, palette, or place — that I plan to release in the coming months. Each one will be shared as a complete set once it's ready.
In the meantime, my socials are where the sneak peeks happen. Follow along for in-progress glimpses, studio moments, and the occasional early reveal.
Learning from the masters — painted while following tutorials from artists I admire
Other Works
Mixed media, experimental pieces, and collaborations
About The Artist
The story behind the brushstroke
Hemma Papp
Artist & Creator
The Story
Where Colour Finds Its Voice
Hemma Papp is an award-winning expressive fine artist native to Florida. Her work is rooted in a deep connection to place, nature, community, and lived experience.
"I create with intention and joy as an act of resistance."
Hemma creates original paintings inspired by Florida landscapes, community spaces, whimsy, and the emotional texture of everyday life. Her paintings layer color with intention and explore light and movement through a series of color washes, bold gestural marks, and delicate details that reward a closer look. She paints both en plein aire and in studio, but finds the highest inspiration in the spontaneous light of day with the energy of community connection woven throughout the works.
Through resilience shaped by decades of chronic illness, her work reflects a commitment to living boldly and creating with intention regardless of limitation. She hopes that her work and the constant choice to create inspires others to explore their own passions and live life on the colorful side!
Hemma lives in sunny St. Petersburg, FL, but is often found amongst the geckos of Gulfport, FL en plein aire!
Blog
Stories from the studio, paintings in progress, and creative musings
July 2026
Healing in 45 Minutes
Pushing my boundaries at a plein air kayaking retreat on the Suwannee River.
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June 2026
Dreaming of Mountains
A reflection on rest, reset, and finding a gentle way back to the canvas.
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May 2026
Watering the Garden
When you realize that it works — and that a healthy garden is also a lot of work.
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April 2026
Say Yes to the Things That Push You!
A week of painting, friendship, and growth at the Gulfport Plein Aire Festival — and the moment I truly believed I was an artist.
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March 2026
Michael's Buy 1, Get 2 Free!
There is a very specific type of "Artist Zen" that occurs when your creative needs and the universe's timing finally decide to shake hands...
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February 2025
My First Ever Art Show
February 5th was a date for the history books. It marked my first-ever art show at the Hickman Theatre for the Gulfport Plein Aire Artists Reception...
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January 2026
Why I Paint Outdoors: The Magic of Plein Aire
There is a specific kind of magic that happens when you step out of the four walls of your house and into the open air — a radical, intentional act of choosing joy.
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Year in Review
December 2025
Life is a Canvas: A 2025 Year in Review
If I had to sum up this year in a single phrase, it would be radical re-emergence. This year brought a whirlwind of "life" happening all at once — and I decided to stop negotiating with self-doubt and chase joy instead.
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Contact The Artist
"Art is the most beautiful of all connections — it bridges distances and speaks directly to the soul. Every piece I create is an invitation to share that connection with you." — Hemma Papp
Commission requests are warmly welcomed! When reaching out, please include as much detail as possible about your vision — this helps me bring your idea to life with the care it deserves. Helpful details include:
A reference photo or description of the subject
Your desired size (e.g. 9×12", 16×20", or metric equivalent)
Your preferred medium (watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, etc.)
Any colour preferences or décor context
Your timeline or occasion, if relevant
"I would like this photo of my home done as a 9×12 watercolour. My décor has lots of coastal blues and greens."
