PAM HOBBS Painting, Cooking and living in the Florida Keys

New Bike

2012-01-31T13:58:00.002-05:00

I have painted another bike for TSKW (The studios of Key West) www.tskw.org This is for their 5th birthday and they will raffle it off March 3rd. This bike has a theme of the arts and the buildings that make up TSKW campus. They are taking applications right now for next years residencies and workshops and shows. Check the web site and apply. Who wouldn't want to spend a month in Key West next winter!

2012

2012-01-02T09:55:00.003-05:00

Finished on New Years Eve day. 24"x30" "The Porch of Indecision" Hope everyone has a bright, festive, happy and successful 2012!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-28T09:33:00.004-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know I did with lots of pleasant surprises!

Right before Christmas a lovely man from Switzerland stopped in the gallery and handed me a CD and asked me to read the inside note. In the Thanks to: area he thanked Pam Hobbs. with a quizzical look he explained that he had some of my art work in his home and he looked at it everyday and it reminded him of the warm colorful Key west that he likes to visit. I was touched and quickly put his music in to listen to. Its lovely guitar and singing. It definitely made my day and I wanted to share his music with you. Thanks Michael!

Right before Christmas

2011-12-23T15:08:00.003-05:00

The gallery has been busy and so have I . Here are three new paintings that are hanging in the gallery today. Hope everyone has a merry Christmas!

2011-11-30T15:00:00.001-05:00

Well its almost December and I have been quite lazy with my blogging, but I will try and recap the last few months......

I moved into a new studio!...............

I did a lot of new paintings.....................

There was Lobster fest..................

I went to Boston to visit my daughter and cousins and sister.....................

It was Stone Crab season!..........................

Fantasy Fest came and went................

I ate a lot of Turkey and Pie..............

I have been painting up a storm..............

Christmas is almost upon us and I am gearing up for season. Hopefully I will be a little more on the ball with my blog and at least post some new paintings and food items!

Arlyn's Kale Salad

2011-07-27T20:10:00.008-04:00

Welp this is my first post on my moms blog and I thought i would share my kale salad recipe. It took me a couple tries to get it dialed in but this recipe is catching on quick and it's a real crowd pleaser.

A few things to think about this salad before you prepare it: It's simple, cheap, and easy! I'm not going to give any exact measurements on the ingredients in this salad but I think of adding sprinkles, dustings, and pinches of ingredients is key. At no time should you be adding piles of ingredients, preserve the taste of the kale, let the ingredients be a subtle and savory taste on the pallet after the taste of the Kale.

First off your going to need some Kale
Once you get it home wash it off and remove the leaves from the stalk. Then run your knife through the pile so you are left with bite size chunks.

Next up is a simple list of ingredients found in most kitchens: Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil, Lemon, Honey, Sesame Seeds and Avocado.

Once you have gathered your ingredients and prepared your kale, transfer the kale pile into a large salad bowl. The first two ingredients to add are Olive Oil and Salt, these are the two most important ingredients of the salad so make sure all parts get good coverage. Mix these two ingredients together with your hands and allow the oil and salt to "cook" the kale. The salt and oil should break down some of the tuff qualities of the kale but preserve the texture.

Once you have completed this step go about adding the Pepper and Honey. Glazing the top with a light stream of honey seems to work well and nice dusting of black pepper hits the spot, mix it up and give it a try. Still not enough? go ahead and add some more. Once you find the right balance of black pepper and honey it's time to add the last three ingredients. I like to dust the top of the salad with sesame seeds, then add half of an avocado thinly sliced, then right before you serve it squeeze half a lemon over the salad and enjoy!
Hope everybody is having a good summer. Summer school is about over and I have been having more fun then i can count of 11 fingers in asheville.

arlyn-

A couple of paintings

2011-05-26T09:33:00.002-04:00

Thought I better post something before the month of May is over! Looks like I missed all of April. Its not that I haven't been painting its just that I seem to have been too busy to post. Above is a sweet Key Lime shack in a beach garden scene. It is a very peaceful painting 11"x14" Below is a painting of The Armory. I painted at a plein aire event and won 3rd prize. It was a fun day of painting, it also is 11"x14" I have 3 paintings going in my studio and will post once I am done.

Try a Mojito

2011-03-24T09:06:00.000-04:00

New painting, similar to my Rum-n- Coke but this time its a refreshing Mojito. 11"x14" $795.00

Three New Paintings

2011-03-09T19:25:00.002-05:00

"Restful Cottage"

"Starry Night Cottage"

"Serene Cottage"

New painting

2011-03-09T19:24:00.003-05:00

" My Key West Neighborhood" 12"x32"

My Newest painting SOLD

2011-02-15T08:40:00.004-05:00

"Rum-N-Coke" my newest painting, finished this week. This was inspired by tattoo I saw one day at the gallery. It is 11"x14" $795.00 and I will have prints of this one. For some reason I really had fun painting this and totally ignored the 3 projects that I really need to do. Weather has been glorious, perfect bike riding weather. Thanks Nancy- Painting will be on its way to you next week!

Check out my web site

2011-02-06T15:22:00.002-05:00

Well I have finally gotten around to updating my web site. Please check it out! I have some new prints and a link to buy t shirts with my images and all my originals are now on my web site.

www.hobbsart.freeservwers.com

Another new painting SOLD

2011-01-19T10:10:00.003-05:00

I have had a lot more time to spend on originals since the holidays are over and started several at once. This is the last of them. "Conch Houses" 11"x14" $785.00 . Its time to start a few more and I have canvases all primed and grounded, ready to go.

Newest earth palette painting

2011-01-16T13:08:00.002-05:00

Just finished. Decided I needed a challenge for the new year and went back to a color palette I have used before, all earth tones. Totally enjoyed painting this and like the outcome. 16"x20" It will have a plain black frame. Notice the windows wide open in my studio. The weather has been fantastic.

Two new paintings for the new year

2011-01-11T20:05:00.002-05:00

Well I posted these backwards with the details first but You get the idea. I have been working diligently in my studio to finish up these two and I have two more in the works. This is a multiple image painting 16"x20" painting. No working title yet but it will be $1,250.00.

This is the finished product of my plein air day. Also 16"x20" and $600.00, such a bargain.
The weather here in the Keys couldn't be more wonderful. With no real lows or highs. We are experiencing a weird evening FOG tonight with 100 0/0 humidity but otherwise I am sure the sun will burn it off first thing in the morning.

A beautiful day for painting outside or Plein Air

2011-01-09T09:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was just such a perfect day. I decided to paint under a grand old mahogany tree across from The Armory and right down from my studio. It was so nice watching the world go by on bicycle and car, hidden off the beaten path listening to Livingston Taylor on my headphones. I had seen and heard him the night before right there in The Armory. The painting is not quite done but maybe another hour in the studio and slap a frame on it and on to the next painting. So far its been a beautiful January and with the snow up north the tourists keep flooding down to visit us!

Cuban boaters

2011-01-04T19:19:00.003-05:00

My son alerted me to this boat up on Big Coppitt key today. I had seen in the paper 20 cubans had made it to shore but thought nothing of it as it is a fairly everyday occurrence. I was startled to be so overwhelmed by the boat itself. All their clothes and things were left scattered in it, even a toothbrush. The boat itself was beautiful in its craftsmanship but apparently they had built a fire in the bow for warmth. It made realize just how lucky and comfortable I am to live where I do and so many people live a life they would love to leave. Happy New Year to all. Lets all make 2011 a wonderful year!

New Paintings

2010-12-21T09:59:00.003-05:00

I am finally done getting all my Xmas orders out and finished up these two paintings. The top one sold before it was done but the lower is 11"x14" and is called "Star Gazer" $750.00. The color is a little off as it was shot in gallery light but the colors are almost identical to the top one. The holidays are almost over and I hope everyone has a wonderful time without too much stress. I plan on eating and drinking merrily with my family and friends!

Bike update!

2010-12-09T09:05:00.001-05:00

My bike sold yesterday! It sold for $2,500.00 to some local folks. The money goes to www.tskw.org I am thrilled and proud!

My Bike is in the window of Fast Buck Freddies!

2010-12-04T18:00:00.003-05:00

The bike I painted for TSKW is in the Christmas window of The Island department store Fast Bucks.
Santa is riding him and the pedals go round and round!
There signage with my name and picture. Its really quite nice!

Escarole soup

2010-12-02T19:24:00.005-05:00

We got a nice cold front last evening and all I could think about was a nice pot of soup. This is the easiest soup to make and it is delicious. First saute some onions in some olive oil, add plenty of garlic and saute.
Wash and coarsely chop a nice head of escarole. Its in the produce by the full heads of romaine and leaf lettuce. Add it to the pot and stir and let it wilt.

Add a box of chicken stock and a can of cannelli beans, juice and all. Don't forget salt and pepper and red chili flakes, this just adds a touch of heat which is so nice. You can add pasta if you like but it is plenty hearty.

Let it simmer about 45 minutes, check for seasoning, Enjoy with crusty bread, piping hot.

New painting

2010-11-12T09:22:00.002-05:00

"Red Sky" is 6"x8" $245.00 the boats says "Sailors Delight"

Thursday's painting and a big avocado

2010-11-04T14:01:00.002-04:00

Painted today on Sugarloaf. It was a gray sky with rather rain filled storm clouds. We were high and dry but all painted the threatening skies. This is 8"x10" will be framed with plain black frame.
Here was lunch, a beautiful avocado I found under the tree behind my studio!! Guacamole!

New Painting

2010-11-04T08:40:00.002-04:00

A new Fall still life with sunflowers and a pomegranate. 16"x20" $385.00

Commission and new painting

2010-10-29T08:49:00.005-04:00

This is the 3rd painting for Tom, this one was a commission of moon flowers and a moon. I hope he will like it.
SOLD

This one is called "Stargazer" and is 16"x20" and is in the gallery at $1,250.00.

Goombay 2010

2010-10-23T13:31:00.004-04:00

Goombay is this weekend. It kicks off the 2 weeks of festivities for Fantasy Fest. Its a favorite local event and I went with my friend Mindy last night, it has become a tradition. We drink some cocktails and eat conch and people watch. There seemed to be plenty of pork this year.
Lots of interesting food booths.

It was a beautiful evening with lower humidity and nice skies.
Conch salad man
Crispy cracked conch
Lots of vendors
Conch salad in a pineapple with a few conch fritters perched on top
Dog friends
As the sun set it got busier and more people showed up.
I took a picture of this house last year in thoughts I would paint it so its back on my list.
Full moon over Key West.

Key West bikes

2010-10-20T18:50:00.003-04:00

The studios of Key West is having a fund raiser and 40 local artists are painting bikes to be auctioned off next February. they will be ridden in the Fantasy Fest parade and the Xmas parade and be displayed all over key west. I have just finished mine and saw it today for the first time put together as well as a few other finished bikes. It is going to be an amazing display!

Painting from this summer

2010-10-11T14:44:00.003-04:00

Just got around to putting a slat frame on this painting from the summer. "Pineapple King" 16"x20" $350.00

Thursday painting

2010-10-08T08:59:00.003-04:00

Thursday's Painting group has started up again for the season. It was great to see folks and we did a lot of painting and a lot of talking. The weather was almost cool and the wind was blowing but we painted Key Limes. I finished this up in my backyard later in the afternoon.

New Sunflowers

2010-10-03T09:07:00.006-04:00

SOLD

I have been working in my studio daily on a project to benefit The Studios and not doing much of my own work but I did finally finish this new sunflower painting. It has some nice apples and a bright cloud filled sky. It is 16"x20" and is $350.00. Thanks John!

Rainy day

2010-09-29T08:44:00.003-04:00

We have been lucky this year with very little storm activity. Today we will be brushed with a little tropical weather. Its gray and drizzling today, a very good day to paint. Sorry about the underlining, can't seem to make it go away. Happy Fall to everyone.

The Dog days are Over, The Dog Days are Done!

2010-09-16T08:17:00.005-04:00

The clouds have been beautiful and the pink sky woke me once again. Went to the beach to walk with my new marching music and new mantra. The clouds were amazing and the breeze wonderful. Great start to a great day! This was from a couple of days ago from my front yard.

Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Are Over (Live)

New studio pictures

2010-09-12T13:25:00.002-04:00

I've moved in and have been working daily. The light is incredible. Don't forget, Walk on White is Thursday and the studios will be open. Come up and have a glass of wine if you are in town.

5 new paintings

2010-09-12T13:18:00.005-04:00

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

The back drop at Burning Man

2010-09-10T13:00:00.004-04:00

Here is a tiny picture of the back drop 7 Artists made for the One Night Stand. Fred took it with him to the Burning Man fest out in Nevada. Key West was represented!

Old Town New Folk at the TSKW

2010-09-08T22:26:00.003-04:00

Emily Saliers from the Indigo Girls tonight at the Armory. What a wonderful thing live music is. This is a small venue and an intimate audience. What a delight. The Rick Worth back drop added to the evening and the entire audience had a wonderful evening.

Great news a new studio!

2010-08-26T17:56:00.003-04:00

I have been offered a studio in this great old restored conch house. It is under the umbrella of The Studios Of Key West I signed the lease today and have my key and will move in this weekend.

I am up on the second floor left rear so if you are in the neighborhood stop by. Its the Tom Pope building at 610 White street. Its 2 doors down from the beautiful yellow armory which is the Studios head quarters. Look like there is a lot going on and I can't wait.

Its nothing fancy but it has great light with 4 windows. Can't wait for November when I can throw open the windows. I look out over tin roofs and into huge old sapadillo trees and poincianas. I will have my studio open for the next walk on White which will be September 16. Stop in and have a glass of wine!

Going Green

2010-08-13T13:02:00.001-04:00

My newest painting. It has a strange swirling green sky which I think goes well with the purple house it is 16"x18" $989.00

One Night Stand

2010-08-08T10:41:00.005-04:00

I participated in the 4th annual One Night Stand production put on by The Studios of Key West . It starts Friday night with 5 directors picking 5 writers who picks a set of 5 actors who in turn pick 5 artists who then pick a sponsor and a genre. Friday night the writers create a play and give it to the director and cast early Saturday morning.
The actors rehearse and the artists and prop and costume people scurry around and paint a backdrop and procure costumes and build props for the show. The show begins at 7:00 that evening and the audience is treated to 5 funny quick plays. It was an incredibly fun experience. Myself and Maggie Ruley and Michael Sanders all painted a 12"x15" canvas backdrop with palm trees and houseboats as our play took place at a bus stop at Garrison bight in front of houseboat row. Below are pictures of all 5 plays

The Time Travelers Wife

2010-08-03T18:40:00.002-04:00

Just finished reading this wonderful book. I am probably the last to read it since I get my books at yard sales and Salvation army. It was an intriguing Sci fi concept and a powerful, touching love story. I am having pangs of sadness it is over and must find a new book soon!

John Hiatt - Have a little faith in me

2010-08-03T18:32:00.001-04:00

I am working on getting my music onto my mp3 player and came across this, never knew he wrote this always loved this song.

An embarassment of Mangos

2010-07-24T15:08:00.005-04:00

I was gifted bags and bags of mangos today, there are so many it is almost embarrassing to have this many. I have to wait a few days for them to ripen but then I will be peeling and freezing and standing at the sink with the juice dripping down my arms!

I have also been painting mango trees under the moon. These frames are a bit funky and very different but i like the oddness of them. These are at the gallery.

SOLD

Tropical storm Bonnie

2010-07-22T19:55:00.003-04:00

Tropical Storm Bonnie should be blowing through the Keys Friday. First close call of the season. Stocked up on Vodka and have the makings of banana nut mango bread. Its always good to be prepared but I think this will just fly by quickly.

Newest painting

2010-07-21T17:55:00.002-04:00

Today I painted with the group I often paint with but haven't in a couple of months. It was wonderful and I really enjoyed it. Jim had a pile of mangoes and someone brought their bird, funny enough, named Mango. He is a Senegalese parrot.We all painted and I had such a good time. Will try and get this in the gallery by Friday with just a slat frame I think. It is very colorful and 16"x20"

The Island of Key West

2010-07-20T07:56:00.006-04:00

It has been a speedy June and July. I have sorted through a lifetime of "stuff" and packed some away gave lots away and threw even more away. I have become aware of what is important and what I thought was important. I toted boxes and bags up and down stairs and now I am moved in, back on the wonderful Island Of Key West! My studio is up and running and I should have some new paintings this week. I am enjoying being closer to my gallery and events and am ready to get more involved. I will post a few pictures leaving out the boxes There are more things on the walls now and things are finding their place and I finally found the stapler! but I am still looking for the rice cooker lid! I have extra room so come and visit! I am so happy to be back on the Island and did I tell you about how much money I have already saved on gas!?

First Painting from my new studio. "Sunflowers Along the Fence" 11"x14"

"There's something about islands. For one thing, they're not continental. Islands represent the wisdom of isolation and self-sufficiency, surrounded by a common and separating element. Islands promise privacy and the potential for Kingship and Queenship. In works of art they offer a symbolic statement endorsing introversion and the value of keeping your own counsel.Further, there's preciousness. People who live on islands, or even go on them, pick up preciousness as they would seashells or weathered beach wood. Island owners (or passersby) cruise the perimeters to better know their own souls. An island, especially a small one, is something you can get your head around. If you need to feel special, paint islands" - Robert Genn

More Royal Poincianas

2010-06-15T15:15:00.003-04:00

SOLD The trees were so beautiful this year. It had me gasping on every street. I am in the throes of moving but I still had time to paint a couple of these magnificent trees.

2010 Hurricane season begins!

2010-06-02T08:21:00.003-04:00

Here are the 2010 names of the storms. Only a few are people I know so hopefully I won't have to curse these people. They are predicting an active season, with 14 named storms. They are also worrying about all the oil in the gulf getting churned up and thrown up on land. Wouldn't that be just a mess, well it already is a mess. There is no oil in the Keys for now and I plan on spending some days in the ocean this summer. Here is a picture from Bahia Honda from last week.

Alex

Bonnie

Colin

Danielle

Earl

Fiona

Gaston

Hermine

Igor

Julia

Karl

Lisa

Matthew

Nicole

Otto

Paula

Richard

Shary

Tomas

Virginie

Walter

Full moon over Duval street

2010-05-28T14:53:00.003-04:00

Warm, sultry, tropical nights are upon us. The moon was so bright coming up over Antonia in the 600 block of Duval.

Happy Birthday Painting

2010-05-28T14:51:00.003-04:00

This would make a great gift for someone on their birthday! 11"x14" framed $195.00 Notice more sunflowers, they are so cheerful.

New sunflower paintings

2010-05-26T19:57:00.005-04:00

After doing the commission last week I needed to paint more sunflowers as they were so cheerful. So I painted them with some Royal poinciana blooms in the back ground and a moon instead of the sun this time. I think i will probably turn this into a giclee.

SOLD Then I painted a small 5"x7" gallery wrap canvas, which I think is very cute. Both are at the gallery and for sale. The large one is 16"x20" and $1,200.00 and the smaller is $195.00, what a bargain.

Royal Poinciana time!

2010-05-21T18:17:00.006-04:00

It seems like overnight the Royal Poinciana trees started their summer spectacular. It starts around mothers day and lasts all summer and the island is ablaze of red. Every street you look down you see a spot of red against the beautiful blue sky!! It makes my heart beat faster!

Newest painting

2010-05-20T14:48:00.002-04:00

This is a commission for a customer of mine who said paint me sunflowers and a sun. I think it came out nice and he is excited to receive it. It just needs to dry and I need to put a frame on it and then its off to my customer. Gary and Andy- if you are reading this I saw you two on a commercial for your guest house on TV. Looked like you were having fun! I couldn't find your email address!

Food post

2010-05-15T10:51:00.011-04:00

Here it is the middle of May already and I haven't posted very often. Busy Busy busy. Got home from NJ and helping my mother get moved into an assisted living place I thought I should make my daughter a nice home cooked meal. Tenderloin beef kabobs and grilled veggies! Just skewered and marinated in olive oil and salt and pepper.

Cooked the meat second and only for a few minutes it was still pink inside. Served with oven baked curry sweet potatos. Just rolled in olive oil and curry powder and salt and pepper bake on oiled sheet pan, yum!

For Cinco de Mayo I made fish tacos with some lovely fresh halibut, pan sauteed in corn meal with fresh pico de gallo, guacamole and a cilantro lime crema.

Served with vodka Mojitos with crushed strawberries. OLE!

Checking in on the mangos

2010-05-12T09:37:00.002-04:00

With a morning walk after being away over a week, the mangos looked much bigger. Keeping my eyes on them to make sure none fall over the fence into my waiting hands!

Several new paintings

2010-04-20T11:07:00.005-04:00

SOLD This was started and put aside and changed and changed and then put aside again and then repainted and finally I think I am done. Not totally happy but it will do and we shall see if the coffee drinkers out there like this. Who knows it may get gessoed over and reincarnate as something else down the line! I love the colors and the vase and the window. This one is 18"x24" with just a simple black slat frame.
2 more little 5"x7" gallery wrap paintings. These have been good sellers for me so I just keep painting them.

Thursday painting

2010-04-10T09:07:00.002-04:00

SOLD "Spring Still Life" 11"x14"

Thinking of red

2010-04-06T17:42:00.006-04:00

Saw Broken Embraces with Penelope Cruz. A movie by Pedro Almodovar. So Much red.

ripe red tomatoes, red kitchen tiles, red sweaters, red skirts, red dresses, red shoes. Sad story.

Loved the beach house, they escaped to. I think I lived here once.

Plant city strawberries

2010-04-02T19:15:00.009-04:00

Spring Break 2010....... No not on the sunny beaches of Ft. Lauderdale but touring central Florida with my daughter looking at prospective colleges!. A highlight was a stop in Plant City Florida, the strawberry capital of Florida. We missed the strawberry festival but found, thanks to the sweet man at the information office, Parkesdale Farms. Thinking just to buy a flat of strawberries we were surprised by this wonderful strawberry themed farm stand. The berries were wonderful., but what a surprise to see strawberry shortcake and strawberry milkshakes!

Had to try one of each.

Strawberry throne , complete with crowns so you could be a strawberry Queen!

Red every where. Drove back to the keys with the sweet smell of berrys in the back seat. Open year round, but only serving shortcake from January to mid April! So get them while you can!

Thursday Painting and pictures from class

2010-03-25T18:45:00.008-04:00

Another earthy basket of apples. Looks like I am getting ready for fall!

Here is Jim Salem painting a lovely landscape with everyone looking on. It was pretty breezy which you can't tell by this picture, but what a beautiful day!

Most everyone painted a landscape except a few. Here we have the final critique.

Left handed abstracts

2010-03-20T12:18:00.002-04:00

Imagine a a time of day and a color palette... morning.. blues. Afternoon deeper shades of purple...sunset... reds and yellows. Night.... deep blues and blacks. Now imagine flying up in the sky over your house and looking down and seeing all the things around your house, roads, lawns, fields, water. Now paint what you are seeing with your left hand!

Judy Pino's painting

My painting

Mango Trees in bloom again

2010-03-15T13:17:00.004-04:00

Plein aire painting

2010-03-14T10:37:00.005-04:00

Friday there was a plein aire paint out event in Key West sponsored by the Key West Art Center http://www.keywestartcenter.com/ Over 30 artists hit the streets to paint and then were brought together art the Art center for a showing. It was great fun and although there was a threat of rain it turned out to be a beautiful day.

I ended up on Southard between Duval and Whitehead as this huge old bougainvillea caught my eye. I had such fun painting on the sidewalk , talking to people enjoying the day.

Maggie Ruley is on the right, she organized the event and Jennifer Badry is on the left, she is the jeweler at the gallery. We had fun at the showing and drank a few glasses of wine.

Aids Help 20 Year Retospect Art Auction

2010-03-11T12:00:00.007-05:00

Every year Aids Help holds an art auction comprised of select local artists with a theme. This year is their 20th year. I have donated for many years and this year I have been working on something a little different.

We were given a wooden tray and I saw it as a little shrine or altar and flew with it from there.

Preview will be at Lucky Street Gallery from the 18th to the 20th and the auction will be held at the Casa Marina on March 21st at 6:00

FROM THE OUTDOOR SHOW

2010-03-11T11:42:00.010-05:00

Well the weather was iffy and people seemed to be ready to bolt if they felt a drop of rain. The rain held off all day until just as we were to close up shop. I had great people around me so it made for a pleasant weekend. I had a nice location and the weather turned out to be beautiful on Sunday.

A lovely woman from Israel was on my right.

To my left was Roger Disney from Oklahoma with some interesting figures and cityscapes. http://www.rogerdisney.com/

Chris Black was across the way with her beautiful blue watercolors http://www.keyswatercolor.com/

It was a fun weekend and a profitable one and I met a lot of nice people and handed out my card to loads of people and sold quite a few things.

Old Island Days Art Show

2010-02-25T13:55:00.006-05:00

I realize I haven't blogged much, but its because I have been busy and I have been getting ready for the Old Island Days Art show. Here are 3 new painting for the show. I have zero expectations much like I did last year but I am bringing smaller stuff and more prints. Lets see if I can make my own stimulus package in my own tent. I like this show because it is right in my own backyard so to speak. I can go home at night and put my feet up and if I need some help there are usually plenty of people I know who would lend a hand and have a glass of wine with when its all done. So if your not doing anything this weekend and are in the area the show will be Saturday and Sunday the 27th and 28th down on Whitehead Street between Greene Street and Eaton Street. Hopefully I will be where I was last year somewhere in front of Kelley's.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T09:19:00.005-05:00

Looking back I realized I started this blog just a little over a year ago. Lots has happened, good and bad, but this year seems to have flown by. Looking back I see Valentines day was a rare foggy day in the keys. Today is bright and cold. Not a lot has changed as I still have flowers on my counter with chocolate and wine and cards. Lucy Made a wonderful salmon chowder last night followed by a warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.... YUM. Here is a new painting from this weeks painting group and another one from my studio. I hope everyone enjoys the day and that you at least have a little chocolate to make your day sweeter.

Thursday painting

2010-02-04T15:12:00.003-05:00

What a beautiful day, breezy and warm. We painted today out by the Sugarloaf Airport in a lovely field with goldenrod coming into bloom. We painted as sky divers floated down in the next field. Here is my next attempt at my earth tone challenge.
SOLD

Rain Rain

2010-02-01T13:45:00.003-05:00

Its not often that we have a full day of rain, but today woke with it on the windows and it hasn't let up all day. Everything is damp, but at least its fairly warm. Its a good day to sit at the easel and get some work done....

A couple of earth pallette paintings

2010-01-23T18:54:00.004-05:00

I have been very busy at the gallery for the last 3 weeks and finally got a chance to paint for myself. Went to Sugarloaf and painted with the group. We were looking at bottles and thought I would pursue my challenge of using an earth palette. Not very successful but I none the less persevered and painted away. I thought of the Italian painter Morandi and tried to envision myself in a small Italian village with whitewashed walls and just some bottles from the recycling bin to paint..............

Manatees

2010-01-19T09:31:00.002-05:00

Manatees were spotted in the canals around my house. Not sure why people think they are so cute? They were coming up and drinking fresh water and people had lettuce for them. They are lumbering giants and very ugly but peaceful.

New stuff

2010-01-19T09:27:00.005-05:00

Here's a start of a new painting. Grounded in brown gesso which is so not me but needed to cover up what was going on underneath.

New "Starry night" its all about the blue 11"x14"

"Pie Shop" gallery wrap 5"x7"

Avatar

2010-01-16T20:59:00.002-05:00

I wasn't prepared for how much I would love the movie. I liked everything about it and never for a moment thought to my self, "this is a cartoon" Even with it being 3 hours I was never bored or ready to go home. I want to live on Pandora, and be blue.

The new year

2010-01-05T10:07:00.011-05:00

I have down loaded the pictures and need to get some of these out there. Here is are two new little paintings. I have done several new little ones but haven't taken pictures yet.
5"x7" a revisit to ones I have done before but they seem to be very popular.

This was just an amazing meal. Lovely piece of salmon just quickly pan fired resting on a bed of very creamy cheesy soft polenta. I added romano, cheddar and goat cheese and quite a bit of butter! How could they not be good and then steamed asparagus just marinated in sesame oil and tamari. As my son says, "That's a $25.00 meal right there!"

A walk the other morning and the bougainvillea in bloom on a neighbors fence.

Sea grape leaves.

A nice guy waiting out in the tidal flats for breakfast to swim by.

Lovely shadows and reflections.

Quite an amazing cactus in someones yard.

Christmas eve oysters. along with

Fried conch, shrimp, and quickly seared tuna, oh and a salad in the middle along with a big fat martini to toast the season!

Uncle Bruce snapping away while Arlyn shucks. Hope everyone had a great holiday. I did, but I am glad its over!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T13:43:00.003-05:00

I guess I should be able to look back at the receding 52 weeks and say I discovered a better understanding of life, found the true meaning of happiness or at least a better recipe for stuffed chicken...... but I am only looking forward to what awaits me next....what does 2010 have in store for me? I am forging blindly and happily into the new year. Good luck to everyone!!! Oh and don't drink and drive!

Blue Winter Moon

The sirens sing

songs of longing to

the blue moon of winter,

blue-hearted drum

of the seas.

They offer it pearls,minute moons,

votive images wrapped

in blue seaweed& dance it the dizzy

dance of the tides.

Rafael Jesus Gonzalez

A Man Named Pearl

2009-12-30T09:32:00.002-05:00

Just watched a wonderful documentary about man in Bishopville SC who created a wonderful visionary topiary garden. No gardening experience and no art experience, just hard work and a deep desire to have a beautiful yard, and share it and his personal wisdom with others.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T15:53:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas from the warm and wonderful Florida Keys! Check the weather channel out tomorrow for the first ever white Christmas in the Florida keys. http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?clip=15912&from=tv_whitechristmasstreaming_promo1

This a local family living on Summerland key just a few islands down form me. It should be a wild day and great publicity for the Keys and Howard Livingston who is a local singer much like Jimmy Buffett. I actually did an album cover for him a few years ago. Any way, I hope each of my 2 readers have a wonderful day and a bright prosperous new year!!!!!

Kandinsky

2009-12-18T13:46:00.001-05:00

Color provokes a psychic vibration. Color hides a power still unknown but real, which acts on every part of the human body. (Wassily Kandinsky)

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2009-12-15T09:14:00.005-05:00

On my walk to my car I passed Fran and Bobs house all decked out. Who says it has to be cold and snowy and grey for it to feel like Xmas. I got such a holiday feeling watching the palms sway and the light warm breeze shift the orchids in their trees. This is my idea for a real Christmas. Haven't had a northern cold Xmas in years and certainly don't miss it. We did go to Maine to be with family several years ago and my kids got their first chance to see snow, highly overrated if you have to go outside!

Watched my favorite Xmas movie, "White Christmas" and still got a little teary when they open the barn doors and its snowing outside with a Currier and Ives scene. They certainly don't make movies like that anymore. I always liked Danny Kaye and thought he was goofy not wanting to kiss the girls but now realize he was a gay man being squeamish about the whole idea!

Oh by the way , Fran and Bob won the annual house lighting contest put on by the electric company, hope they won a free moths of electric but I doubt it!

Pallette challenge

2009-12-10T15:44:00.003-05:00

Someone challenged me to paint with a new palette. An Italian earth palette. Think ochre, Sienna, umber and mars black. So outside my comfort zone. Painted today with the Sugarloaf group and stuck with it kicking and moaning but I am pretty pleased with the outcome. Definitely a challenge and took some mixing , not so sure the colors vibrate, but maybe they are just meditating. I will use it again and have already thought of some new ways of using the colors, maybe grounding the canvas in a red oxide? All the paintings in today's session were about pattern and more pattern. SOLD

New little painitng

2009-12-09T07:53:00.002-05:00

8"x10" "Green Bowl"

Snail Mail update

2009-12-09T07:46:00.004-05:00

I'm heading to the post office after finally finishing the snail mail project with Maggie Ruley. Check out the before http://maggieruley.blogspot.com/2009/10/snail-mail-project.html and here is the after. Also check out Kate Millers blog http://circularspace.blogspot.com/

New Painting

2009-12-03T08:31:00.003-05:00

Here is a new painting this week. Even with Thanksgiving and a house full of people I was able to finish this one. It is a gallery wrap so no frame and I believe it will be called "key West Morning"

Glitter

2009-12-03T08:25:00.001-05:00

Christmas has snuck up on me and I am terribly unprepared. I have been decorating ornaments though and my studio is covered with glitter. We have a tree at the gallery and everyone is bringing in ornament to sell.

Adios 2009 Hurricane Season

2009-12-01T08:42:00.003-05:00

Celebrations were held in Key West for the end of this unusually quiet hurricane season. Yeah! Here is a link to the story in the Key West citizen. http://keysnews.com/node/18951

Thanksgiving

2009-11-30T07:24:00.018-05:00

What an amazing week. So many people in my little house! Hope every one had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I spent the week with this vivacious group. So interesting and interested. It is always so nice to share the Keys with folks who have never been here.We packed it all in, swimming on Thanksgiving morning before the cold front came through. The water was flat calm and warm. Because we knew we were not having turkey for dinner we instead picked up all the turkey wing shells we could find in our beachcombing. Then we came home and started cooking, roasted veggies...

Grilled octopus.....

Pan fried and grilled fish ........and of course mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry and fried squid.

We were able to eat outside under the bright moon and under the travelers palms with the tiki torches going.

I worked in the gallery on black Friday and it was a joy with loads of my tourist friends flocking in to buy Xmas gifts. Everyone was in a jovial mood and wallets were opened and money was flying. Thanks to that nice local couple who bought paintings of mine for their family! Saturday was My daughters 18th birthday so we had to party yet again. Taco bar and pinata! Even a little hot tubing because the water was so warm. Had to squeeze in 2 gallery openings this weekend also, which were great fun. Add to that some snorkeling and green parrot dancing and it was a full and wonderful weekend.

Also joined my friend Nancy and friends for her early turkey dinner, so yes I did have turkey. Great fun and love her burnt orange wall.

Pie and coffee.....
In the end this is all I am left with a almost eaten birthday cake and loads of laundry. but it sure was fun. I am back in my studio and working away to make more fun things for all my fans.

No one wanted to leave, especially with the thought of 18 hours to Asheville and they had to stop and put real clothes on half way there.

2009-11-22T13:39:00.001-05:00

iF TODDLERS RAN THE WORLD, THE FUTURE OF iRAQ WOULD BE SETTLED BY THE WORLD SERIES OF HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOS.

Walking on Glass

2009-11-18T09:02:00.002-05:00

My old friend Scott Kenan has written a book about the time he spent working for Tennessee Williams. I remember the time as he and I had been working at the same restaurant, Tux. I also remember meeting Tennessee at the bar on the pier of the Reach one drinking night. Wow I guess that was more then 27 years ago!..........Any way, Scott has been working on this book for quite a while and he sent me bits and pieces to read, should be good. Here is a link to his new web site. http://www.walkingonglass.net/ The book comes out next year.

Radio rant

2009-11-15T12:41:00.003-05:00

So driving home yesterday , from northern Florida, was of course a bore, but the radio helps. Having satellite radio is a must, but when a signal fades, I had to rely on terrestrial radio. Why oh why do only the Jesus and Spanish stations come in clear and loud and why oh why are they playing..."get it on , bang a gong....." and "really like your peaches , gonna shake your tree......" and what ever happened to Bachman Turner Overdrive? ........Come on really, there is so much good music out there, why could I only find mediocre music. OK, I feel better now. Oh and one more thing...... People actually were out there in the real world putting up Christmas decorations and I actually found a station playing Xmas music already. What ever happened to waiting till December 1st or at least after Thanksgiving.

Bumpy Road citrus grove

2009-11-15T09:26:00.010-05:00

Just back from Bumpy Road, my retreat in Melrose Florida. My niece and my Mother came down for a visit. It is citrus season now. My little grove was filled with juicy sweet fruit. After arriving late and in the dark, woke to a peak out the window and the trees full of ripe fruit.

Got the juicer out and squeezed and squeezed. Fresh juice every morning and a very healthy screw driver every evening. No scurvy here.

Three kinds of fruit made for a wonderful combo. Sweet little brilliant tangerines, regular navels and red navels. Picked the trees clean with the help of my niece. Also have a cumquat tree but they were not ripe yet.

Sent loads up to my sister and still had the back of the car loaded.

Lovely IDA

2009-11-07T09:52:00.002-05:00

The Coast Guard on Friday issued a warning to Florida Keys boaters to monitor Tropical Depression Ida before deciding whether to get on the water.

Its a windy windy day in the Keys, The windows are open and the humidity has dropped. Doubt that Ida will bother us in the keys too much but looks like it will follow me up to Northern Florida for my family get together at Bumpy Road. I am looking for umbrellas.

Snail Mail Art project

2009-11-05T08:53:00.005-05:00

I have been participating in a snail mail art project with an interesting group. One person starts a piece and mails it to another artist or writer. They then collaborate and embellish the mail and send it back. Above is what I received from Kate Miller and below is what i sent back to her. It was fun and I am doing one with Maggie Ruley. Here is her blog about it http://maggieruley.blogspot.com/2009/10/snail-mail-project.html I will add to it and send it on to Kate as she is the curator of the ultimate show next year. If anyone is interested send me your address and we can get one going. This sounds right up your alley Patsy! click on the pictures for a closer look.

New Paintings

2009-11-05T08:43:00.006-05:00

Sunset Palm and Night Palm These are 8"x16" $200.00 each.

Sunset Palm Island and Night Palm island 5"x7" $125.00 each. I sold the last two to a cute honeymoon couple.

Jack

2009-11-05T08:40:00.001-05:00

One last vestige of Halloween. Our snaggle tooth pumpkin this year.

Key Limes

2009-11-05T08:31:00.002-05:00

Now that Fantasy Fest is over I am going to catch up on some blogs I put off. The key lime trees in my neighborhood including mine have been prolific. I finally decided I had too many to put in my cocktails or I was going to have to drink faster and more and that was not too good of an option, but they are good in a tall vodka club soda. I was going to Greg's birthday and decided to make a key lime tart with a chocolate crust. I used Nellie and Joe's recipe and just made a graham cracker crust except with chocolate graham crackers. Must have been a success as I brought home an empty plate. http://keylimejuice.com/recipes/nellie-joes-key-lime-pie.htm

Warning nudity !!! Fantasy Fest!

2009-11-01T10:07:00.025-05:00

Halloween and Fantasy Fest are over, for another year! We had such fun last night greeting our trick or treaters. Michael Jackson stopped by and did a little dance as well as Flo the progressive insurance salleslady. Loads of ninjas and fairy princesses, lady bugs and brides. We handed out bags and bags of candy and I surveyed the neighborhood this morning and only saw a few scraps but loads of shaving cream. We will need a good rain to wash it away. Below are some photos from Friday night, Fantasy Fest on Duval Street. Be fore warned its not all pretty! These Cruellas were wonderful. Its sad that the creative costumes have evolved into just how little clothes you can wear!

Lots of masks.

Loads of businesses were decorated.

Hi Jennifer!

Lots of near naked men and woman.

Some you don't really want to see!

This was a really interesting paint job.

Hi Ladies

HI Mister! nice sock

Loved these guys!

The Parrot was decked out

Ricks was really cool

So was Sloppy Joe's.

A cruise ship arrived about 6:00 and it was a clothing optional ship.... so 2000 barely clad people dropped into Duval Street .

Loved her high healed sneakers.

Morticia and Gomez, they even had Thing with them.

Traffic cones

Halloween past

2009-10-31T15:07:00.008-04:00

These two are now 23 and 22 years old. Spencer on the left is living the dream in NYC and Arlyn, on the right is living and going to school in Asheville.

Oh the years of dress up that these girls saw. They are now 18 and 19 and probably don't remember those frilly home made dresses.

Jenny on the right, now has a son of her own, but I vividly remember the Halloween she and Katchen were both Witches.

Arlyn wanted to be a Hooty Owl in the worst way and Its amazing to think I had the time to make his costume that year. Lucy could have cared less about her costume that year and probably took it off right after this picture.

My princesses! They were magical!

Goombay

2009-10-24T16:26:00.015-04:00

Fantasy Fest festivities kicked off with Goombay last night, up and down Petronia Street. It is a real local event and I always see people I haven't seen in a while. It was a beautiful night and the drinks were good and the people watching was even better!
Petronia St looked good with a few new shops. I think this might make a nice little painting.
This guy was the best. He has decked out several bikes with lights and music and rides up and down Duval st. They were wonderful!

There were some cool outfits!

Everyone was selling these bright earrings. I didn't see anyone wearing them.

Loads of food stands. I ate some incredible quickly fried conch and some really good cocktails!

Fresh fruit drinks in a pineapple!

Steel drum player drew quite a crowd

Lots of antics outside the 801 bar. These girls looked like they must be famous.

New October painting

2009-10-24T16:24:00.003-04:00

"Pears" painted in a dark dramatic fashon. Evokes that fall feeling 16"x20

Armenian lamb dumplings- Monti

2009-10-20T09:39:00.008-04:00

The weather has finally turned and the windows are open and the breeze is blowing through my house. It was cool and I suggested a soup and my daughter said we should make monti, and that she would help. Being rather labor intensive I jumped at her offer and we sat down and talked and made monti. First you make a mixture of lamb, chopped parsley, finely chopped onion , lots of chopped garlic , salt, pepper, a little cumin and a little cinnamon. Traditionally you would make your own dough but I use wonton or egg roll wrappers. Each eggroll wrapper is cut in fourths then each of those is cut in fourths so you have small squares ,you place a ball of meat and pinch the sides together to form little canoes.

Bake for about 20 minutes until they are about to brown. In the mean time you have made a lovely hot broth, homemade or boxed, I use a mixture of beef and chicken. You ladle some broth into the pan and put it back in the oven for a minute or two.

Then ladle them into a bowl with more broth and a big dollop of yogurt mixed with fresh garlic salt and pepper, and if you like a little dill. This is a lot of work but so delicious. I usually make this for a holiday but was glad to have my daughters time and energy to help make these. Well worth the effort! We even made enough to stick in the freezer for another couple of meals. Lets just hope the weather stays nice and cool, but I am afraid it will probably get hot again.

Hemingway House

2009-10-15T09:49:00.003-04:00

New Hemingway House painting. I haven't painted it in a long time so thought I would update my image and revisit this really nice house. Its in the Gallery now and the canvas is 11"x14" with a nice wide frame. I have made prints of this painting too.