The Half Mile Road Trip; Guess who called Shotgun?

Road Trip

It took 2 and a half months to plan a half mile road trip for this rooster and his family.  That sounds a little excessive doesn't it?  Well, let me add that he wanted to take all his friends and then his friends invited friends. Making more sense? No?

Here's the deal!  They have a brand new pop-up gallery* in the old Fast Buck Freddie's** window.  On the corner of Duval and Fleming, 500 Duval.
       

The Blue Heaven Rooster
30 x 24" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas
$1,495.00 Giclee prints available
©2016

A lot of things have changed at the Blue Heaven building since I had my studio there (1985-1996). But not the roosters.  They are still as big, bold and beautiful as ever.

Blog post about my time there.
And another

 more about the Key West chickens

Pop-up Gallery, 500 Duval Street, Key West, Florida

* Pop-up galleries are kind of like the lemonade stands you had as a kid.  Here for a season, and then gone. 

** Fast Buck Freddie's was a super fun, Key West style, department store that closed several years ago. 

My new gallery is display only.  The sales don't happen on site.  My website and contact info are shown and buyers call or email me.  This will be up August through November.  I can rearrange and change it as much as I want.  It's going to be fun.

 

 

Who called "Shotgun"?  A number of the smaller paintings had to sit together in the passenger seat of my car.  All the paintings had to wear trash bag raincoats, because we made the trip in the rain. 

 

 

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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

 

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.



Dog Gone, acrylic, 6 x 6 inches
framed to 12 x 12 inches
$145

Dog Gone
acrylic
framed
$145
you can purchase directly through me or
The Key West Art Center,
Address: 301 Front St, Key West, FL 33040

Phone:(305) 294-1241

Hours: daily 10am to 5pm