MAGGIE RULEY ~ Island Inspirations: What's up with all the chickens?

Saturday, January 25, 2014

What's up with all the chickens?

Saturday and Sunday, January 25 - 26, 2014, the Key West Art Center is hosting the annual Key West Craft Show. Every year fine craft artists come from all over the country to share their work and enjoy a little warm weather. The Craft Show takes place on Whitehead Street between Caroline St and Greene St, just a few steps away from the Art Center. If you are in town head down to see it.

The Key West Art Center
entrance 310 Front Street, Key West, Florida
©Maggie Ruley 2014

I don't have a booth there this year, but I did go into the Art Center yesterday with some cute small paintings for them to sell. I have been adding some roosters and chickens to my small paintings because they are so much a part what makes Key West the interesting place it is.

Today's Key West Question

One of the most frequent questions people ask is,

"What's up with all the Chickens?"

Visitors want to know why they are all over town, and if they belong to anybody.

I am not sure there is any one answer, but it is my theory that there is a direct correlation between the crack down on cock fighting in the late 80's and early 90's and the increase in the chicken population.

In 1986 my first studio was in the Blue Heaven building (before the restaurant). The neighborhood is called Bahama Village and it was one of the few neighborhoods that had free ranging chickens at that time. Young boys were always running through the yards catching the roosters to take home to their Uncles, Daddies, and Cousins. After the cock fighting crack down, no one was catching the roosters and when you have more roosters you have more chickens. But it's just my theory. And, no, they don't belong to anybody, and yes, the cats and dogs leave them alone.

Dog Gone, acrylic 6 x 6 inches
©Maggie Ruley 2014

This little cottage is on Ashe Street in Key West and is really cute. I have taken many photos of it over the years. It used to have a red jeep parked in it's drive way. I decided a red boat would be more fun.