Lagoudakis unveils her artwork at Miele Gallery and Framing

Cindi Lagoudakis was the featured artist in Miele Gallery and Framing shop last week, as she displayed about 70 paintings that took a "couple years to finish," she said.

Lagoudakis mingled with a group at the opening Friday evening, discussing her contrast with colors, different tactics she uses to draw and the inspiration behind it all: the forest.

"I've worked for the Forest Service for 26 years," Lagoudakis said. "Clearly the natural world is something of interest to me."

The mayor is a hobbyist painter and said she feels proud to be in Petersburg, where art is abundant and appreciated, she...