The Music Is In Her: Lianna D'Angelo Commissions a Piece from Local Artist Ginae Scott

When local Orlando artist Ginae Scott is hired to create a new painting, she usually starts by choosing a color palette. Or, she develops a general concept of the work: the shapes, the forms and the tone.

But that was not the case with Lianna, our head broker at Sotera Living.

"Normally, when I approach a canvas," says Ginae, "I might have the general [idea] in mind but rarely the entire painting."

However, when Lianna commissioned Ginae to create a custom piece for the bedroom in her new home, it was like music to Ginae's ears, literally! In just moments of talking with Lianna about a potential painting, Ginae got an instant artistic vision.

By the way, if you have ever been on the 3rd floor of Florida Hospital's Cancer Center, you might have stumbled upon Ginae's work yourself. One of her largest abstract pieces is brightening the lobby area there.

Earlier this year, Lianna met with Ginae in her Baldwin Park home to discuss listing it on the market. Ginae remembers Lianna exploring the property first and soaking in each painting one by one, room after room. Having recently moved herself, Lianna was inspired to ask Ginae to do a large commission for her bedroom.

Of course Ginae was thrilled and said "Yes!"

Also, as Lianna was admiring Ginae's work and discussing the color palette in her own home, (chock-full of silvers, golds, and shades of bronze) Ginae got a full-on vision of the work she was to create. It came to mind instantly, unlike ever before.

"Lianna, do you like music?" asked Ginae.  "I love music!" said Lianna. "Why do you ask?"

Ginae went on to explain the concept that had flashed before her eyes. It was a large abstract piece, full of rich, vibrant colors, feminine floral accents and punctuated by musical notes in the background. To Ginae, it was nothing short of divine inspiration - a perfect embodiment of Lianna's lively personality.

"Some things [and people] are just so beautiful, they create a sense of music everywhere they go," said Ginae. "That's Lianna."

For Ginae, capturing Lianna's unique energy into a painting meant thinking outside the box and using new techniques, such as mixed media. Lianna's painting was created using both paint and pieces of vintage music paper. If you look closely, you can see the notes blended behind various brushes strokes, creating subtle complexity.

Also, on the top right hand corner of the piece, you can find two small symbols of Japanese script, one of them representing the concept of grace, something Ginae saw in Lianna the first time she met her. What Ginae describes as Lianna’s "bubbly vision" for the smaller things in life is what ended up giving the painting a life of its own.

"She has such a passion and vision for the things she does that it is almost musical," says Ginae. "With Lianna, even something small becomes big and important."

Below you can see photos of the painting, aptly titled "The Music is In Her."

Also, to learn more about Ginae or see more examples of her work, visit her online portfolio at https://www.ginaeleescott.com.

Or, to learn more about Sotera Living's listing services, in addition to staging and design, contact Lianna at lianna@soteraliving.com or by phone at (321) 446-3509.

Time to Save Homeowners! Don't Forget to File Your 2018 Homestead Exemption

If you bought a home last year and use it as your primary residence, don't forget to file your homestead exemption.

For Orange County residents, the deadline to file is March 1st. However, the county makes it easier than ever to file. It takes less than 20 minutes and can be done in-person, online or through the mail.

Here's how:

Visit the Orange County Property Appraiser's website. Fill out the application online or print and mail it in by March 1st. It's that simple, but it can save you a lot!

Note: You can also file in-person at any Orange County satellite office. Click here for locations and hours.

Also, don't forget to bring your closing information to your accountant. There are some possible tax savings available to you, so don't miss out! Click here to access a booklet from the IRS created specifically for homeowners for 2017. In it, you will find everything from approved deductions to mortgage interest credits and what records to keep on-hand ever year.

To a happy new year and tax season,

The Sotera Living Team