Back in the day at the Blue Heaven.

I moved to Key West in October of 1985. In November of that year I got a studio in the Blue Heaven Building, $50 a month. If you look at the painting, the window of my studio is the last window in the building on the right hand side. It was a small single story add-on in back. The window faces onto Petronia Street. I lived right around the corner at 810 Whitehead Street. The building had a couple of apartments upstairs and about 4 artists studios throughout the building. Slowly everyone left until I was the only tenant. I was the only tenant for quite a while. Then the downstairs became Ricky's Blue Heaven Restaurant. Ricky is the son of the owners of the restaurant. More artists moved in upstairs, and the restaurant became very popular. I remained in my studio until 1996. By that time the restaurant owners had bought the building and they needed my space for wine storage. C'est la vie.

"Blue Heaven" is 5" x 7" on arches watercolor paper. I have ordered some large format mats. When they arrive I will mat this and it will be 11" x 14".

$60.

Colorful Terry Lane - Key West

Terry Lane is a short lane in Bahama Village (a Key West neighborhood) that is between Whitehead Street and Thomas Street. A few weeks ago I had a couple of hours to idle away so I took my camera and went looking for some Key West charm. What a surprise when I turned into Terry Lane. When I first came to Key West my backyard was behind a derelict house on Terry Lane that was used as a crack house and burned up one night. Now that little lane is delightful and it is obvious that several of the houses have all been rehab-ed by the same person or persons, because they are all brightly painted and have lovely little fences and gates.

I should have been throwing on the potter's wheel yesterday, but it is cold here now and my studio doesn't have heat, and I really didn't want my hands in cold water all day. So I decided to work on some small paintings from my photos. This is acrylic paint used like watercolor on Arches watercolor paper that has been gessoed.

I also worked on paintings from my Blue Heaven photos and a Southernmost House. All of those buildings are brightly colored and cheerful. Perfect subject matter for a cold day.

Terry Lane Original 5" x 7" matted to 8" x 10"

$60

I'll show the other paintings when they are finished. And they should be in the gallery, 7 Artists Key West on Thursday.

The Adoration of the Magi

The holidays are here and everyone I know has been in a wonderful holiday mood. The parties start tonight and I am looking forward to them. My day tomorrow is filled with friends and fun. I am wishing the same for everyone. But most of all I am wishing for:

PEACE ON EARTH

Love and peace to all,

Maggie

THE GALLERY IS READY FOR CHRISTMAS AND I HAVE A NEW PAINTING

I have been spending a lot of time in my studio working on pottery and getting the gallery ready for Christmas. I have a lot of bright colored pottery and I have been working on Christmas ornaments. I have also been making flip flops for the Margaritaville Store. They have added a "made in Key West" section to their web site that has work by local artists. They will be showing flip flops and a palm tray from me. As soon as they take photos my pieces will be on the site.

So, I have not had a chance to do much painting lately. Getting the gallery full of things for the holidays and shopping etc have taken precedence. It was wonderful to go back to painting class. I have been the last two Thursdays and this last session gave me a painting I like. This painting of clouds and marsh is 12 by 22 inches and as yet untitled. But it is varnished and finished with edge pieces and ready to hang. I'll think of a title soon.

New painting $325.