Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

 

It's so good to be back from Vacation!

It was great to get away and it's wonderful to be back.  Seeing things like squirrels and pine cones and magnolia flowers was a treat. I could watch the silly squirrels for hours.  The very best thing was spending time with family. 

But getting back home and seeing palm trees and coconuts and blue, very blue, water reminded me that I already live in an idyllic location.  
#absencemakestheheartgrowfonder

It's our rainy season here in Key West and big gray rain clouds will appear on and off during the day, but the golden coconuts shine even more brightly against the gray sky. 

Lovely Bunch
oil on cradled panel, 24 x 24"
unframed
$750
©Maggie Ruley 2016

 

 

 

This week I did a short video on Facebook about how I get back into the creative groove after being away.

Connect with me on FACEBOOK 

 

 

Painting classes resume June 30. Want to paint with me? CLICK HERE to find out more about my painting classes.

 

 

If you are an email subscriber to my blog and you are reading this from your inbox, 2 things.

First, you might want to CLICK HERE so you can see all the fun extras on the blog site.  You'll be glad you did and you can leave a comment.

 

And Second, Thank you! Please forward it on to anyone else who might enjoy it. Thank you again.

 

 If you aren't (reading this in your inbox)and you'd like to get all the really cool things going on in my studio delivered (with love) to your inbox, CLICK HERE  and fill out that box thingy that says, "Never miss a post", in the upper right corner.

 

 

 

 

 

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. 

 

Her colorful paintings and tropical pottery are collected world wide and can be found in many island homes. She has been featured in the Key West Citizen,

the New York Daily News , and other publications.

 

Her handmade ceramic flip flops have been sold in gift shops all along the east coast and in California and Hawaii.

 

 Her studio-gallery is located in the Historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

 

Find more things to love on my website: www.maggieruley.com

 

Connect with me on FACEBOOK

Capturing the Blue Calm

I have this lovely little blue china buddha that I bought when I made the move to Fleming Street.  It was a delightful little piece of "blue calm" at a time that wasn't calm.

I've painted it several times. And each time I do, I like the painting well enough, but I feel like I've haven't really captured the essence of how looking at the Buddha makes me feel.  You know the good thing about that? I get to keep painting it until I feel that I've captured the "blue calm".

With any luck at at all.  That will take a very long time and I'll get to keep painting my little Blue Buddha over and over.

#nufsaid

Buddha Collection
Wood Buddha "The Saint" by N. Syzlagi $345
Buddha contemplates the origin of the Sunflower
small Buddha painting, gold frame $145



Buddha Contemplates the offering
Oil on canvas 16 x 20"
$495
©Maggie Ruley 2016



My lovley little blue china Buddha
with an offering

The gallery hours have changed a little. But just for the next couple of weeks.

Gallery hours June 8-23

Painting classes resume June 30. Want to paint with me? CLICK HERE to find out more about my painting classes.

Connect with me on FACEBOOK

If you are an email subscriber to my blog and you are reading this from your inbox, 2 things.

First, you might want to CLICK HERE so you can see all the fun extras on the blog site.  You'll be glad you did and you can leave a comment.

And Second, Thank you! Please forward it on to anyone else who might enjoy it. Thank you again.

 If you aren't (reading this in your inbox)and you'd like to get all the really cool things going on in my studio delivered (with love) to your inbox, CLICK HERE  and fill out that box thingy that says, "Never miss a post", in the upper right corner.

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. 

Her colorful paintings and tropical pottery are collected world wide and can be found in many island homes. She has been featured in the Key West Citizen,

the New York Daily News , and other publications.

Her handmade ceramic flip flops have been sold in gift shops all along the east coast and in California and Hawaii.

 Her studio-gallery is located in the Historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

Find more things to love on my website:

www.maggieruley.com

I usta was............

I usta was the Flip Flop Lady...

Yep, I'd get a phone call and the person would say are you the person who? and I'd say, "yes, that's me. I'm the flip flop lady."  These days it's not often that I get to make a pair. Therefore, I choose to think of them like as a "small batch" item.  If it's good for whiskey, it's even better for flip flops, right?



Back in the Day
handmade ceramic flip flops, large and small pairs
© Maggie Ruley 2016

I had a special order for a couple of pairs last month and while I was doing them I did a few extra pairs.
It was a fun blast-from-the past to make them. 

The photos you see below are the pairs that are currently hanging in the gallery. 

I call this design "Sea Life"
$59 pair
©Maggie Ruley 2016

Blue Palms
$59 pair
©Maggie Ruley 2016

Green Flamingo
$59 pair
©Maggie Ruley 2016

Light Blue Flamingo
$59 pair
© Maggie Ruley 2016

Red Pineapple
$59 pair
©Maggie Ruley 2016

The gallery hours have changed a little. But just for the next couple of weeks. 

Gallery hours June 8-23

Painting classes resume June 30. Want to paint with me? CLICK HERE to find out more about my painting classes.

Connect with me on FACEBOOK

If you are an email subscriber to my blog and you are reading this from your inbox, 2 things.

First, you might want to CLICK HERE so you can see all the fun extras on the blog site.  You'll be glad you did and you can leave a comment.

And Second, Thank you! Please forward it on to anyone else who might enjoy it. Thank you again.

 If you aren't (reading this in your inbox)and you'd like to get all the really cool things going on in my studio delivered (with love) to your inbox, CLICK HERE  and fill out that box thingy that says, "Never miss a post", in the upper right corner.

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. 

Her colorful paintings and tropical pottery are collected world wide and can be found in many island homes. She has been featured in the Key West Citizen,

the New York Daily News , and other publications.

Her handmade ceramic flip flops have been sold in gift shops all along the east coast and in California and Hawaii.

 Her studio-gallery is located in the Historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

Find more things to love on my website:

www.maggieruley.com

Mind Blowing Red

Every year this time in Key West our Royal Poinciana trees are in full bloom with mind blowing red flowers.

If you haven't been to Key West when they are blooming, regrets. Late May/early June is the primo time to see them. Can't make it then? No worries, they continue to have flowers through the summer.  Take a look at these beautiful ancient trees/souls. Enjoy these photos and see how my painting class did their own fabulous renditions of them.
#omg




Key West Royal Poinciana Tree
photo ©Maggie Ruley 2016



Grinell and Southard St. Key West
photo ©Maggie Ruley 2016



Poinciana Blooms Key West
photo ©Maggie Ruley 2016

 I love how my students each have a unique style and vision.  I encourage them to work in a way that lets their own way of seeing shine through their paintings.



Maggie Ruley Painting class June 2016
Poinciana Trees
photo ©Maggie Ruley 2016

My class really worked hard through the winter and spring and to celebrate that I gave them a pre-class luncheon in my studio.

#yespaintingiswork
#itsthebestkindofwork


Maggie Ruley painting class luncheon
Island Inspirations Key West
photo © Maggie Ruley 2016

I invited artist David Scott Meier as a special guest.  He was a great addition to the luncheon. We talked about travel, sky diving, art, food and much more.  The hour flew by. 
David is famous for his "Yellow Straw" (Nice Hat) and his dog paintings.
See some of David's Giclee reproductions on the wall in the photo above.

Doesn't my small middle gallery make a fabulous dining room?


Maggie Ruley painting class luncheon special guest, David Meier
Island Inspirations
933b Fleming St. Key West, FL 33040
photo © Maggie Ruley 2016

Want to paint with me? CLICK HERE to find out more about my painting classes.

If you are an email subscriber to my blog and you are reading this from your inbox, 2 things.

First, you might want to CLICK HERE so you can see all the fun extras on the blog site.  You'll be glad you did and you can leave a comment.

 

And Second, Thank you! Please forward it on to anyone else who might enjoy it. Thank you again.

 

 If you aren't (reading this in your inbox)and you'd like to get all the really cool things going on in my studio delivered (with love) to your inbox, CLICK HERE  and fill out that box thingy that says, "Never miss a post", in the upper right corner.

 

 

 

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. 

 

Her colorful paintings and tropical pottery are collected world wide and can be found in many island homes. She has been featured in the Key West Citizen,

the New York Daily News , and other publications.

 

Her handmade ceramic flip flops have been sold in gift shops all along the east coast and in California and Hawaii.

 

 Her studio-gallery is located in the Historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

 

Find more things to love on my website:

www.maggieruley.com