Everyday? I don't think so! AKA a celebration of the Pineapple.

I love everything about the pineapple!

The way it looks; prickly bottom half, smooth and spikey top half.
The way it changes color as it gets riper.
The way it smells; like a far away tropical island.
Its incredible, indescribable taste.

It's a special occasion fruit, a holiday fruit, a family gathering fruit.

Seriously, do you drink Pina Coladas after work on a Wednesday? No! The super cute pool boy brings one to your chaise lounge in THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY on your vacation. Now that's special.

Also, consider the way it's treated with reverence.
It's always has a place of prominence in the supermarket. It's at the end of aisle, or on a raised dais.

The Queen of Fruit would not be CAUGHT DEAD in the middle seat between the potatoes and the onions, hell no! First class all the way.

Everyday fruit? Oh no it isn't! (picture my index finger wagging side to side here)

And don't forget it's the universal sign of *Welcome*.  I think they put one on Voyager 1, if they didn't, they should have.

That's why I paint the esteemed pineapple over and over.  Here are some pics of my most recent study session. These are all oil paintings. And the really cool thing is that some of these will be headed to a gallery on Cape Cod soon. I'm jazzed about that. I wonder which ones are going to be chosen to go?

Pineapple studies

both 18"x14", oil on canvas board, palette knife

$195 each

Note to artists: I intentionally took a different approach with each painting. I used limited palettes, I played warm against cools, I explored grays, I used the palette knife on some, I explored using a transparent first layer. All were done
alla prima and they all started with a transparent earthy red underpainting.

Fun fact: Pineapples have warm green and yellow-gold bottoms, and cool green and blue tops.

Aloha dear friends,

Maggie

P.S. would you like this blog delivered via email? Fill in the form in the upper right, and I'll see that it gets to you.

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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 and gallery is located in the Historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

www.maggieruley.com

Words to Live By

She Listens
Original Sold
giclee reproductions available HERE
©Maggie
quote from The Awakening by Kate Chopin

 

 

I'm taking a short break and visiting family in North Carolina, but while I'm away my students are finishing their paintings for our group show Words to Live By that is coming in early October.

 

Remember I said I wanted to create a mini movement of inspirational themed art work?  Sure you do!

 

Well, it happened and I was really pleased to see my students stay focused on the theme for 5 weeks. That's a long time for the creative attention span.  I'm really excited to see what comes in for the show.

group show work in progress

 

The invitations have been printed and  I've given the artists a little challenge, telling them to get them out to their friends and potential customers. And as a bonus I sent them a little art marketing information I've gained over the years. 

 

 

 

Marketing seems confusing when you first start out. But it doesn't have to be.

 

I'll share the few simple, but effective techniques I gave them, with you next week.   (For you creatives out there who would like a very simple start to marketing)

 

I invite you to mark your calendar and join us at the reception if you can.

#smileyfacehere

 

 

 Anyway, while my students are working away, I'm enjoying the first hint of fall.

The September Special is going on Here

Don't forget about this really cool workshop


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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

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

maggie.ruleykw@yahoo.com

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

Connect with me on FACEBOOK

......And a Star to Steer Her By

The Power of Poetry

The world seems to be a little Helter Skelter  lately, just over the top meanness and crazy. Regrets if this bums you out, bums me out too.  So? What to do? What to do?  For me personally, it was to add some poetry* to my painting. The world needs more poetry, really.  This painting took the edge off that icky feeling for me.  I kept thinking about how the lines of poetry in the piece could represent the wind that moves the ships forward.

Because this was such an uplifting experience, I decided that my next painting classes** are going to focus on adding inspirational messages or symbols to the paintings. 

So, I'm going to tell my students to dust off their Jonathan Livingston Seagull, rummage through Pinterest for the perfect Rumi quote, or re-read their journals for snippets of things they've written that have helped them through their angst  filled moments.

I want to create a mini-movement of inspirational art.  I'm even considering a show of the work at the end of weeks we work on this.  But don't tell my students yet, just in case I can't make it work. 



Ships and Stars
24 x 24"
original acrylic
©Maggie Ruley 2016

*Sea Fever, I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick, and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking

John Masefield

P.S.  I get my daily dose of poetry through The Writer's Almanac

** painting classes will resume the end of August, not sure the date because there's a week I might have jury duty.

Featured Giclee

Another way to add some smiles to your world is to look a Flamingo in the eye.  Everyone smiles when they do. It's a scientific fact.

Flamingo Feathers

Click here to purchase. It's easy peasy!

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

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

Mango Madness

Mango Madness

Every June The Studios of Key West has a show in their main gallery that highlights the talents of its artist members and celebrates the start of mango season here in Key West.  The title of the show is, of course, Mango Madness.

To add some extra fun to the prep for this show two other TSKW members, David Meier and Pam Hobbs, joined me in my studio to paint together for the show.

When David presented this idea to Pam and I we said, "Yeah! For Sure."

It turned out to be a great day of painting.

Painting is often a very solitary endeavor, so this was a delight

Finished paintings

I haven't seen David's finished painting yet, but here are mine and Pam's.  And all I can say is, Were we even in the same room?"



Mango Tea
acrylic 16 x 20"
©Maggie Ruley 2016
 contact tskw.org to purchase

.


Pam Hobbs' Mango Painting
used with permission
#pamhobbs
I'll be at the opening, so if you're there make sure you say hello! Below are the deets about the show and opening.

June 2 - July 28

 

The Members Summer Salon and Mango Madness!

Opening Reception and Mango Madness Party:
Thur June 2, 6-8pm
Sponsored by The Restaurant Store
Mango themed work not required!

 

The Members Summer Salon showcases the work artists have been busily creating over the past season. Members display new works echoing the brightness and lightness of summer. The Members Salon includes all media and stylistic approaches.
 

June 2 - July 28

 

Click HERE to find out more about the event.

Below are photos from our group painting day.



getting started
Pam Hobbs on left, David Meier, center

the original set up



Thank you Davie Meier for the great set up




The original set up wasn't working for me, so at the end of the day I rearranged it and added the blue vase.

 

And thank you again to The Studios of Key West for our fun poolside painting class last week.

Pool side painting class at The Marker Key West sponsored by
tskw.org

If you 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

www.maggieruley.com

5 Words An Artist Doesn't Want to Hear.

 

 

5 Words an Artist Doesn't Want to Hear:

"What made you paint THAT!?"

 

 

The Story Book Giraffe
20" x 16" acrylic on canvas
$650
Giclee prints available
©Maggie Ruley 2016

 

 

When people get used to you painting a certain subject matter or in a certain style it can be a little un-nerving for them to see something different from you. 

 

If your new subject or style upsets someone, hold their hand, tell them to breath and that it's going to be okay, really.

 

Here's the deal, it's a great big sparkle-y world out there full of amazing beautiful things for me and you (this also applies to non-artists) to interpret and rearrange. 

#everyoneiscreative 

 

And I would be totally bored if I didn't take advantage of that when the urge strikes me.

#shortattentionspan

#willchasebrightshinyobjects

 

This painting started as a demonstration for my class. We were exploring complicated backgrounds,negative shape painting and finding pattern.  In my mind Pattern = Giraffe, no brainer.

 

I don't always finish my class demonstrations but this one was full of all the things that made me want to fully develop it.  Fun color, elegant shapes and a boat load of stars.

 

It's kinda like an illustration in a child's book, hence the title.

 

How great would this look in a child's room?  Totally Great!

 

The delightful work by my students.

 

 If 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

www.maggieruley.com

It's Hard to Say Goodbye

Picnic
private collection
acrylic 30"x40"

A wonderful couple from Massachusetts wanted some Key West Roosters hanging in their home up north.  They specified, Bold and Funky and Bright Happy colors.  They needed a horizontal format and we decided that two roosters would best fit their format.

When it came to designing the painting my first sketch ended up being a hen and rooster with chicks and they were happy with the idea.

We worked closely together during the painting process.  They got emails with photos after every session. And numerous changes were made to fit their vision.  Which was fine with me.  My paintings get richer and richer each layer that is applied.

I ended up loving this painting and it was hard to say goodbye. But because of the joint effort we put into it, I know it will be loved.

Notice the swatches hanging on the wall next to the photo.  I love swatches and paint chips and I will happily work with them.
#iloveswatches  #iwillmatchyoursofa

If you are reading this from your inbox, thank you for subscribing. If you'd like to sign up to get updates, or see all that my blog has to offer, click here.

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 and gallery is located in the historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

www.maggieruley.com

A 14 Step Apology to my Class

I know what you're thinking, 14 steps? Seriously? I have to wade through 14 steps?  I promise it's not going to be that painful.  If you want, you can just look at the pictures.

Worst painting demo ever.

I am very fortunate to have a wonderful group of students in my Thursday painting class.  They are very tolerant of my foibles and fumbles.

Almost every class starts with a demonstration that has a little lesson attached to it. Such as color mixing, composition, brush work, etc.

Last week's lesson was about painting over an old painting and I got so lost, the demo was a train wreck.  Now to be honest, the demonstration part of any of my classes isn't my strong suite.  I'm not one of those painters who has an almost finished painting in 30 minutes.  My painting style is to build up layers of paint and color.  Constantly painting over and re-working is what develops some very rich layers of paint for me.

Now to give my class credit they paid very polite attention to  my floundering.  But maybe it was like one of those horrors you can't take your eyes off.  Think NASCAR or the Real Housewives, you just can't wait to see what idiot thing they'll do next.


So, to make amends, the next day I went to work on the painting and took a pic every 10 to 15 minutes.  To show them how the painting developed from the point where I left off.

This is what my painting looked like at the end of my demo plus some work on it during the class.

I've started to lighten the area around the moon and I've decided to add a small cloud on the right edge, you can just see a vague purple shape there. And I've added some purple to the left sides of the clouds.

Now I'm working on my darks.



I've set some dark areas on the bottom corners to anchor them and I've started to add some wispy whites to the clouds.

Still working on the clouds.

Still working on the clouds and I totally over do it.  The clouds are way too white.  Thank goodness the timer went off and stopped me.



I decide I don't like the shape of the clouds so while I'm changing their color I  change the shape. I start to lighten the sky under the moon. I also work on the sand dunes, adding some green to them.

Still working on cloud shapes and highlights.



Adding more turquoise into the sky.

I'm working on the beach and surf area and the moonlight on the water. I have also added darks to the dune areas.  I wanted more of a silhouette against the night sky.

Still working on the beach and moonlight.



I add some movement and line with my rigger brush and add a sailboat for a story line.

I give the moon a face (more story line) and add the stars.  I'm careful to make the stars different sizes.  I make them by dipping a pencil point into thinned down white paint and then pressing the pencil point on the canvas.


Moonlight Sail
acrylic, 20" x 24"
©Maggie Ruley 2015

The Key West Film Festival, November 18 - 22

The Key West Film Festival, click HERE, starts soon.  It looks like they have some wonderful events planned.

If you are reading this is your inbox and want to read it in the original blog format which can connect to other fascinating blog posts click HERE

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 and gallery is located in the historic Seaport area of Old Town Key West.

Maggie Ruley~Island Inspirations

933b Fleming St.

Key West Florida 33042

www.maggieruley.com