I just love "before and afters", don't you?

I'm always sucked in by those "before and after" articles in magazines like Coastal Living. 

There's just something I love about the transformation process.

Maybe it's because that's what happens when I paint.  The canvas goes through a transformation. From nothing but white to whatever I want. "iheartmyjob

Lately I've been experimenting with what I call "complicated backgrounds".  

Sometimes they're super complicated, like this series. 

And sometimes they're just a little wild and crazy.  

I'm getting ready-to-get-ready to start a new series of Key West cottage paintings, for a show I have coming up in February. So, I've been fooling a round with the wild and crazy concept to see if I can use it to get some interesting (not your usual ho-hum) cottages. 

I've still got to tweak it some, but there are some fun aspects to painting this way.

Here's the before

What I love about this start is it's feeling of movement

And here's the after

I ended up covering up more of the original layer than I would have liked. But that's the joy of painting. Each painting is a lesson!
Corner Cottage with Cat

This painting is 16" x 20", so it's too small for the show, but like I said, I'm getting ready to get ready.

And it's always good to work out the problems on a small scale before you pull out the big canvases. #learnedthehardway

Have a great day,

hugs

Maggie

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Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. Her studio and gallery, Island Inspirations, showcases her artwork and is a creative learning center for her students.

When she's not in the studio, you can find her volunteering with local non-profit arts organizations, teaching classes and workshops, or at the beach.

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

Wild Papaya

Papayas are growing in wild abundance in the Florida Keys

And they are PERFECT for painting!

About 4 months after Hurricane Irma, papaya plants started to spring up everywhere in my neighborhood as well as others.

They are a super interesting plant. There's a male plant and a female plant.  The male plant has the flowers and the female plant has the fruit. And there are different varieties growing.

In my yard I have lots of male plants and only two female plants. And what's interesting is the two females have different kinds of papayas on them. One has small pear shaped fruit and the other more oblong fruit.

I've been admiring them for months and finally got around to painting them, (after taking tons of photos)

This is a male plant. The flowers are starburst clusters on long stems.

However, I did not paint them from the photos. I took the leaves, the fruit and the flowers into my studio and painted directly from my observation of them.

I had so much fun painting one, that I did a second one.

Each painting started on one of my "complicated backgrounds"  where I put thin layers of multiple colors all over the canvas.

Here's the set up for the first one.

You can see what I mean about a complicated background painting.

I think it's beautiful and amazing that the interior is in the shape of a star.

Detail: you can see where I'm using paint lines to sketch in the fruit.

Detail: I'm starting to add some greens to the leaves.

Here are the finished paintings

Wild Papayas no.1

Wild Papayas no.1
 30" x 24", acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 2018
$975.00

Wild Papayas no.2

Wild Papayas no.2
24' x 18", acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 2018
$695.00 

I'm not sure I'm finished with this series yet.  I think I want to paint one with a red background.  The challenge for that would be to not make it look too Christmas-y, with the green leaves.  I like a challenge

By the way? Are you getting my updates by email?
If not sign up HERE.
All for now, have a lovely day.

Have you signed up for my free class? Click the link below.

Pricing your art: a free online mini training.

Maggie Ruley is a studio artist living in Key West, Florida. Her studio and gallery, Island Inspirations, showcases her artwork and is a creative learning center for her students.

When she's not in the studio, you can find her volunteering with local non-profit arts organizations, teaching classes and workshops, or at the beach.

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

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.

If you are reading this in your *inbox* click HERE  to see all the extra stuff.

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

Well that was a bust!

Seriously!

I had the bright idea (artists have a lot of those) that I had the tech savvy to make the "What's New" section of my website function as my blog and feed it out to the world like I do with this blog.

Short version, it ain't happening.

But the good news is this blog is dependable (thank goodness) and can chug along just fine with only an occasional tune up. And as a bonus I now have 2 places where friends can see what's going on in my studio: good old blogger and a brand new website.

So the news is I have a New Website

Yes, I've dragged myself into 21st century by updating my website, finally......................... 

The new site is sleek and makes me feel cool and hip. (you're supposed to giggle here) 

I'd love it if you'd look. If anything is not working or you see problems please let me know.

The web address is the same as the old one, but the new site is much prettier and easier to navigate.

www.maggieruley.com

And now on to fun stuff.

There's a great group of Plein Air painters here in Key West that go out and paint every Wednesday.  Now that the town has gotten a little quieter I don't feel so bad about playing hooky and joining them for a few hours of outdoor painting.  I've really enjoyed it.  One week we painted Tennessee William's House. Not his anymore of course, but we all still call it that. The next week we painted in the section of town called "The Meadows".  It's crammed with extremely lovely houses and cottages that are a joy to paint. 

1431 Duncan Street,  oil, 11 x 14"  SOLD
Tennessee Williams' House

Lovely on Olivia 

acrylic, $345, 11 x 14"

Maggie Ruley, 2017

Thank goodness I had a shady spot to paint in.

I like the way the fence comes up to the tree.

Everyone have a good day,

hugs,

Maggie

If you are reading this is your inbox thank you for being a subscriber.  If you 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

Welcome spring!

Pineapples, the official symbol of welcome.

I know in other parts of the country, tulips, and daffodils and violets welcome spring, but here in Key West we can't grow those amazing bulbs.  So it's orchids and bougainvillea and pineapples that say welcome.

My Thursday painting class did such an amazing job on their pineapple paintings last week, they inspired me to do one of my own.  I love it when that happens.

A wonderful group of pineapples! I love the variety they got!

Pineapple Moon

acrylic 24 x 20"

copyright 2017

In other news:

My show "Conchtown" at the Studios of Key West is still hanging in the upstairs XOJ Gallery.  The opening was lots of fun and thanks for the loads of you who turned out for it.

Larry Blackburn of Konklife took some wonderful photos.

Click here to see them.

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

  

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

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

By Invitation Only, and yes, you're invited

By invitation only!

THE SUPER SECRET SEPTEMBER SPECIAL

September is customer appreciation month in Key West.  Every September all kinds of local businesses reward their customers with fabulous deals, bonuses and specials.

It's a superb idea and I've totally glommed onto it.

So I am proudly announcing (drumroll please)..........

rum-ta-de-dum-tum-dum!
THE SUPER SECRET SEPTEMBER SPECIAL
For my extraordinarily special friends.

It's my way of saying "Thank you" to those of you who read my blog and choose to stay connected with me.

Here's the deal.  The only way you can get to the special is through this link.
 Super Secret September Special

Other people who land on my website or blog, either through Google or by chance, won't be able to access it.  Just you.

It's by invitation only and you, dear cherished friend, are invited.

Here's the link again

Hugs, and have a great Labor Day Weekend,
Maggie

P.S.  See you on the other side of the link.

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.

 

 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

 

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. 

 

 

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