About The Artist

Richard Shaffett is a Sarasota-based artist whose lifelong passion for tropical islands has defined his career. Raised in Aruba, he was inspired from a young age by the island’s beauty and culture. Early experiences with drawing and modeling clay set him on a creative path, later refined at the University of Southern Louisiana and the Ringling School of Art. Over decades, he has worked in pastels, pen drawing, illustration, and murals, creating work for Disney, Cunard Lines, Chris-Craft, and others. His work appears in private and institutional collections, including those of José Feliciano, Gordon Lightfoot, and the Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, MS. A signature member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA), his career reflects lifelong dedication, observation, and mastery of craft.

About the Exhibition

Gulfstream Dreams captures the serene beauty and emotional resonance of tropical landscapes. Drawing on personal experience and travel, each painting transports viewers to calm, sun-drenched shores. Careful study of light, water, and atmosphere evokes the sensory richness of island life, inviting viewers to smell the salt air and feel the sand beneath their feet. Developed over a lifetime of observation and practice, these works celebrate the artist’s enduring love for the tropics and his desire to share that joy and tranquility with others.