 |
| "Gentle Mooring" (in progress) oil on panel 24 x 24 Thanks to fellow artist G. Wade Carmichael for the name! |
Soon after
arriving in Key West, stories started unfolding for me about creativity,
imagination and vision.
Of course Key West would attract all manner of artists. Some of the most noted are the following: John James Audubon, Mario Sanchez, Winslow Homer, Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffett. Key West has much to offer the visual artist, “eye candy” in flora, fauna, architecture, and year-round painting weather. Galleries and street artists are plentiful.
After thinking about my own art history while investigating the lighthouse and my grandfather’s circa 1970 lighthouse painting, Walt and I walked across the street to the Hemingway House and Museum on Whitehead Street. Outside the entry gate, there we were introduced to the very interesting Scott Gruppe′, grandson of Emile Gruppe′ and of the extensive Gruppe′ artist family. “Which one do you like? Which one do you like?” the kinetic artist bounced around asking. He was selling his colorful, unique, and expressive figure drawings on the street. He was surprised I was familiar with his grandfather’s work. Was he happy with his own? I couldn’t tell. His work is unlike the work of others in his family. I was left to wonder the journey he’d taken to arrive at his own “voice” or style. (We were happy to buy one for its own appeal.)
Of course Key West would attract all manner of artists. Some of the most noted are the following: John James Audubon, Mario Sanchez, Winslow Homer, Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffett. Key West has much to offer the visual artist, “eye candy” in flora, fauna, architecture, and year-round painting weather. Galleries and street artists are plentiful.
After thinking about my own art history while investigating the lighthouse and my grandfather’s circa 1970 lighthouse painting, Walt and I walked across the street to the Hemingway House and Museum on Whitehead Street. Outside the entry gate, there we were introduced to the very interesting Scott Gruppe′, grandson of Emile Gruppe′ and of the extensive Gruppe′ artist family. “Which one do you like? Which one do you like?” the kinetic artist bounced around asking. He was selling his colorful, unique, and expressive figure drawings on the street. He was surprised I was familiar with his grandfather’s work. Was he happy with his own? I couldn’t tell. His work is unlike the work of others in his family. I was left to wonder the journey he’d taken to arrive at his own “voice” or style. (We were happy to buy one for its own appeal.)
 |
| Six-toed cat |
Standing
outside the bricked walls of the Hemingway House, we were enticed in
by the sneak preview of the six-toed cats lounging within (not all interests
are art!). A meandering tour found me fascinated by his studio and my new
knowledge to another side of this most famous writer. To admit my ignorance, I had not known he had an
extensive art collection and life-long appreciation and association with masters
of American and European painters. It
was exciting for me to learn that he educated himself to this visual language
to enrich and hone the way he would use words to conjure an image. As luck
would have it, one of the artists of profound influence on him, Joan Miro′, has
a show currently at the Nasher Museum near me in Durham NC through February 22, 2015.
 |
| Sunset celebration performer |
Our short
trip didn’t allow time for discovering more about the many artists associated
with Key West--Audubon, Sanchez, Homer, or Buffett, but many current street
performers at the “Sunset Celebration” offered imaginative entertainment.
 |
| "Robber Rooster" Available here 4 x 4 oil on panel |
Cackle and
crow. One sight and sound ever present
underfoot you can’t miss in Key West is that of chickens and roosters. Before you
even know, they’ll jump up on a café table and rip the lettuce right out of
your sandwich!
In my next
issue on Key West, see how I tie together stories of Presidential retreats, key
lime pie, Manatees, and walks through botanical gardens.
If
you want to be the first to know about exhibits and discounts, sign up
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Studio.
Thank you for reading. If you enjoy my essays, please share with your family and friends. I’d like to hear from YOU! Please leave comments and questions.
My paintings are available at my studio in Cary, NC, online at Sheffield Art Studio and at my Daily Paintworks Gallery (see also clickable link above right).
Please LIKE me at my FACEBOOK Fan Page.
Thank you for reading. If you enjoy my essays, please share with your family and friends. I’d like to hear from YOU! Please leave comments and questions.
My paintings are available at my studio in Cary, NC, online at Sheffield Art Studio and at my Daily Paintworks Gallery (see also clickable link above right).
Please LIKE me at my FACEBOOK Fan Page.
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