Soft Landing
Posted on February 23, 2011
Siesta - 2011
The transition from island life to mainland life is underway. These images also suggest the beginnings of that transition reflected in my art. Nature has always been an inspiration, and that theme is carried forward here with the soft pastel interpretation of the famous white sand beach at Siesta Key, and in the colors of the morning sun slanting through the trees in a local park.
Of course, much of Florida is more urban than St. Croix; and the authentic quaintness and decay of the Caribbean is often imitated in quaint venues newly manufactured for tourist consumption. The visual evidence of authentic decay and disorder is different here — and sometimes is appalling, rather than appealing like the old ruins of the Caribbean. Awareness of these and other differences has only begun to gel, but likely will be reflected in some of the images to come.
Morning in the Park - 2011
Changes
Posted on January 29, 2011
In Motion - 2011
We are moving. After nearly 12 years living in the Caribbean we decided last fall that a return to the continent would be the next step in the adventure we began back in 1999 when we sailed off into the sunset. Of course, the islands do not let one go easily. It is only through luck, and a large dose of serendipity that we have been able to follow through so quickly on our decision.
We will miss the stunning natural beauty of the islands, and feel fortunate for the years we have lived so close to the sea. We will also miss the many friends we have come to value here. But the potential for expanded opportunities and enthusiasm for our new life draw us forward.
The next post will come from Sarasota on Florida’s gulf coast. With all the complexities and distractions of moving from an island, it may be a little while. But don’t give up! It will be interesting for me (and I hope for you) to see how the change of scene affects my work.
Circles
Posted on January 17, 2011
Cluster of Snails - 2011
A circle of tightly clustered snails near the water’s surface seems to overlap the circle of rock polished by the action of the sea. Below, an arc highlights a cluster of red globules on the beach next to the round seagrape leaf. While the circle is not always an easy design element to work with, it has always been a powerful symbol and metaphor. These images allude to that power.
Arc - 2011
Windows
Posted on January 1, 2011
The World Inside - 2010
A window in a wall between two spaces allows us to look from one space into the other. Looking in, we are often looking from a public space into a more private one. Looking out, we are more often in the private space viewing the more public space beyond. Of course, there are times that relationship is more ambiguous, or even reversed. As a visual metaphor, an open window between two places can also suggest different perceptions of reality layered upon each other and the possibility of movement or exchange between them. The two images here are examples of windows that explore these themes.
Second Story Light - 2010
What the Sea Dragged In
Posted on December 7, 2010
Rusty Tank -- 2010
Even when storms pass hundreds of miles away they can send large waves that leave surprises on the beach. The rusty tank above was most likely a fuel tank from a boat, washed away from one shore, and deposited here in front of the red fort in Frederiksted. The bold geometric blocks of color seemed to call attention to what the sea had left behind.
Rocks also seem to shape-shift and come and go from the shoreline, although in many cases they have not moved at all. It is the sand that is brought in by the waves for a while, and then carried away again, revealing the rocky remains underneath. The constant change is the only thing that really stays the same.
Living Rocks -- 2010
Life and Death on the Beach
Posted on November 22, 2010
Hole of the Ghost Crab -- 2010
Sandy areas of the beach are riddled with the holes of ghost crabs that scurry in and out, leaving their trails in the sand. While the dismemebered crab remains near this hole is not a ghost crab, its proximity to the trail of the live crab was poignant reminder of the rhthym of life and death on the beach.
The colors and shapes of the rocks along the shore tell the story of another, much slower, rhythm. As inevitable as life and death, this is the rhythm of the earth itself as rocks are thrust up and then worn down over the eons by the sea.
Rhythm of the Rocks -- 2010
Red Majorettes
Posted on November 9, 2010
Red Majorettes -- 2010
The “Red Majorettes” was selected, along with work from 13 other artists, for inclusion in the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts 2011 calendar. It is the first year that photography-based images have been included as a fine art. The “Red Majorettes” illustrate the month of December — a fitting choice because December is the beginning of the festival season on St. Croix. I am pleased to be included.
The face below is a rework of an earlier image of a “warrior” re-enacting a part of his heritage. It is cropped more closely, the edges and textures are softer and more painterly, and some of the color is desaturated — all to focus more on his disturbing gaze that nevertheless demands respect.
Warrior -- 2010
In the Garden
Posted on October 27, 2010
Three Chairs in the Garden - 2010
During a peaceful afternoon in a forest garden everyday scenes come alive. When the breeze blows, the dappled spots of sunlight and deep shadows swirl around the three chairs neatly arranged on the lawn under a large spreading tree, waiting for the guests to arrive.
And then there are the fallen leaves just under the surface of the water that has collected in the old copper across the yard. The bits of blue sky filtering down through the canopy of leaves above become shimmering flashes of light, like fireflies dancing across the surface.
Floating Leaves - 2010
The Color Orange
Posted on October 17, 2010
Orange Palm - 2010
Orange, the color of sunsets, mangos, and the aptly named orange. Every once in a while — and for a reason I cannot discern — I seem to focus on a specific color. This was orange’s turn.
The subjects here were ordinary — a lone palm silhouetted against the fort wall, and the historic Christiansted church cloaked in orange canvas to rid it of termites. But in each case the application of color and light transforms these prosaic subjects into something more.
Cloaked - 2010
Free Range Chickens
Posted on October 8, 2010
Portrait - 2010
St. Croix is over-run with feral chickens, free range at its utmost. Of course, no one eats them (too tough or something like that). Instead, nearly all the chicken consumed (and it is a local favorite) are shipped in from Tyson Foods, or some similar factory farm. So except for the danger from cars (and an occasional dog or mongoose), these local chickens are relatively safe. And it seems they have that and much more to crow about, starting well before dawn.
Some of them will proudly stand for a moment, as though posing for a portrait. But more often they are busy scratching in the dirt for a bit to eat, bright yellow legs doing much of the work. And some, like the gent at the bottom, seem very much in a hurry to get somewhere else… places to go, people to see, you know. Not unlike us.
Yellow Legs - 2010
Places to Go, People to See -- 2010
Smooth Banana and a Barbed Wire Bath
Posted on September 28, 2010
A Smooth Banana - 2010
In the filtered light after a brief summer shower some things like these aging banana leaves take on a silken smoothness. Their texture, colors and folds give the illusion of fabric hanging from the stalk. However, most plants in the dry tropical bush are prickly and sharp, not smooth and silky. A little way along this same path there was an old bathtub draped with barbed wire — a still life of manmade objects emulating the thorny bush.
The illusion is of softness, while man made thorns block access to a symbol of the comfort and security of home.
Barbed Wire Bath - 2010
Labyrinth at Mt. Washington
Posted on September 17, 2010
At the Labyrinth's Edge - 2010
Estate Mount Washington in the lush tropical hills of northwest St. Croix contains the ruins of an old sugar plantation and rum factory. The current owners have cleared the bush from around the ruins and invite visitors to come explore the park-like grounds. Amid the ruins is a labyrinth. All are encouraged to walk it in contemplation and thanks.
A labyrinth is an ancient symbol and meditation tool. Unlike a maze which has many twists and turns, dead ends and false paths, a labyrinth has only one path into the center, and the same path back out again. The journey to the center is a metaphor for one’s own journey to their center and back out into the world.
The Mount Washington labyrinth is laid out with smooth and interesting local stones on a bed of soft wood chips. In the center is a bleached brain coral stone surrounded by several beautiful heart shaped stones, one of which forms the background for the image below.
At the Labyrinth's Center - 2010
St. Croix — Hotel Caravelle Artwork
Mocko Jumbies
Donald Diddams 