BEFORE

Remember I said I take a painting class with Jim Salem. Jim starts every class with a demonstration. His demo takes 30 to 40 minutes. He can very quickly rough out a painting in a short amount of time. This painting is 24 by 24 inches. Now, go and look at the Feb. 24 post and look at the finished painting again. Voila! Well, today I am going to Jim's painting class in the morning and then I have to go to a leadership workshop in the afternoon. More about that another time. Going to Jim's show was a real inspiration. Let's see what happens for me in class. Maybe I can hook into some of his magic.
All for now, have a fun day.

UNLOADING THE KILN

Remember the February 22 post? Well, this is the same shelf in the kiln after the heat has done its magic. That ugly green glaze turns into a lovely transparent gloss, making the colors rich and intense. Well, I have to get to work. I am working on a new mess of fish and some bowls and I am starting to get ready for my next show which is in early April in Islamorada Florida. Every one have a wonderful day!

THE JIM SALEM OPENING AT GINGERBREAD GALLERY IN KEY WEST

Jim Salem and one of his loyal customers and friends.

www.jimsalemart.com

Everybody wants to talk to Jim.

www.jimsalemart.com

One of Jim's stunning still lifes. But they really aren't still, they are full of movement, color and fun. www.jimsalemart.com

The Jim Salem show opened at Gingerbread Gallery last night and it was a packed house as usual. Packed with wonderful paintings and wonderful people. I took a few shots of the artwork and the people. For a really good look at the work go to http://www.jimsalemart.com/. The painting above was one of my favorites in the show. This photo doesn't do it justice, there were people in the way and I could not shoot it straight on. This show is going to hang for 2 weeks so if you are in Key West make sure you go see it. And remember, Jim teaches a class every Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm at the Sugarloaf Logde Tiki hut, Mile Marker 17 on the over seas highway and new students are always welcome. You pay as you go so you don't have to commit to weeks at a time. E-mail me if you want more info on the class.

FLY NAVY

I have been on a mission lately to get inspiration for a new series of paintings. There are two themes running in my head right now. One of them is the Garrison Bight waterfront area with house boat row, the Navy BOQ, and the boat yard. I really like the architecture of the BOQ and with the boat works right in front there is an interesting word play going on. The building says "Fly Navy", but there aren't any planes, just boats. And some one on house boat row just painted their house a lovely shade of lime green ( I have to get a photo), that would make some wonderful water reflections.

LOADING THE KILN

This is the inside of my kiln as I am loading it. The large platter in the center has glaze on the bottom so it is sitting on a 3-prong device called a stilt. If it wasn't on the stilt the platter would end up glazed to the shelf (not good). Also putting pieces on stilts gives me a little extra space on the shelf. The flip flops you see in there don't have glaze on the bottom so they can sit on the shelf and I can slip their ends under the platter. Kind of like sticking something under the bed. This load is getting fired tomorrow so I can go down to the street fair in town before my shift tonight at 7 Artists Key West.

SERVING PIECES WITH PALM APPLIQUES

Early this morning I was a volunteer at our Old Island Days Arts Festival here in Key West. I helped the artists/vendors with the set up. This show goes on for 2 days and always has some great work. After I was finished I went into 7 Artists Key West for a quick look around before the store opened and I was pleasantly surprised to see my stock looking a little thin. So I am headed down to the studio to put my nose to the grind stone and get some more work finished. I didn't feel well last week and now I have to catch up. I usually do a least one glaze load a week and nothing got fired last week. Well, I'll make it up somehow.

Wishing you all sunny days.

SAILBOATS AND PALMS

Just a quick post before I am off to my painting class. We meet in a delightful spot on the gulf of Mexico. These serving pieces with the palms and boats are certainly influenced by my surroundings. Well, wish me good painting. It is a beautiful day to be outside.

IN THE GALLERY NOW

This shelf in the gallery holds an assortment of serving pieces. There is a martini motif, an oak leaf and acorn motif and of course palm trees. Some smaller items appear on this shelf too. There are trivets, olive dishes, some coasters and a small palm ashtray. On the floor are flip flops and fish flops. One of my regular customers is an acorn collector, so she has just commissioned a platter that will have martini glasses on it and acorns will replace the olives. I'll have fun decorating that. Well, I am off to the studio, everyone have a great day!

FESTIVE SERVING PIECES

These large party pieces are in the gallery now. The papaya pieces on the left are a set, a large platter, 6 cocktail plates and a bowl for spreads or dip with a spreader knife. The coconut pieces on the right are sold separately. And there are some cute palm coasters.
Papaya set $295
Coconut platter $135
Coconut plate $54
Coasters $27

7 Artists Key West
604 Duval Street
Key West Fl 33040
(305) 293-0411
open every day 10 - 10

SOUTHERNMOST HOUSE

Here is the second painting in my new series. The house is looking a little wobbly, but the colors are nice and bright. I think this series has potential but it is still in the development stage. I like to try more conch houses and maybe a parrot and some brightly colored boats.