Honor your talent

Fleming St in Bloom
oil on canvas
©Maggie Ruley 2015

 I had some customers in the studio the other day who expressed great surprise that I wouldn't be in the studio on Wednesday because I would be in a painting class.  Why would I chose to take a class when I have a certain skill level and a great place to use those skills?  Good question. The answer is because one way I can honor my talent, honor my customers and fans, and honor my students (Yeah, that's right, I teach classes now-more on that another time) is to be always in a state of learning.  Most often I learn from my mistakes, but it's really great to learn from other artists. So, in the month of April, I have been taking a plein air oil painting class from Mike Rooney.  Mike is from North Carolina, spends winters painting in Key West and part of the summer painting in Cape Cod and Maine.

 It's lovely this time of year in Key West and the Bougainvillea in morning sunlight was right in my own Fleming St. neighborhood was irresistible.

Using oil paints is not my greatest skill set, that makes this class a challenge. We don't get to be better painters doing the things we are good at over and over. Mike does a great job of giving us instruction and I'm enjoying the class. Here is his painting set up, simple and functional, along with his system of finding correct values in sun and shadow.

On a final note I want to thank everyone who stuck by me when my blog was hacked and those of you who have patiently waited for me to decide it was safe to post again.  You are the best! And I want to thank this blog that helped me solve the problem.

Meet the neighbors

The cucumbers and green peppers I brought for lunch today just weren't cutting it.  So I popped out my front door and headed to Help Yourself for some hummus to add to my lunch plate.  It's wonderful that the new studio is in such a cool location.  There are B and B's,  a small inn, food places that are not your same-ol'-same-ol', interesting shops and small biz firms, quaint cottages and perfect Victorian homes.

It's not the main drag of Duval Street, but it has it's own lovely charm.  When you come and visit the studio you will know exactly what I mean. But until then I will start introducing you to the neighbors.

Help Yourself houses an organic restaurant, organic market, juice bar and health food store.

Help Yourself
829 Fleming St. Key West
photo Maggie Ruley

Here's my lunch after I added the fire roasted jalapeño hummus.  Much more filling.

Salt Island Provisions
830 Fleming St. Key West
photo Maggie Ruley

Salt, Island Provisions is a lovely small retail shop featuring local honey and sea salt.  I love the way they have their mission statement on the front door.  So simple and honest, I am going to "borrow" that idea.

 

 

 

Not too many peeps on the Conch Tour Train today, maybe too hot.  Directly across from my studio are these lovely Victorian homes.  I have a wonderful view.

I love this town.  Lunch was great, now I feel like going for a swim!