Donald Diddams
The Art of Digital Art
Rooted in the Magic Forest
Posted on May 28, 2009
Rooted in the Magic Forest
Buttress roots form at the base of many old shade trees in the thin tropical soils. These roots curve around and reach out to support the massive trees above. This was an old silk cotton, or kapok, tree whose buttress roots seemed to be actively searching for what they needed from the earth.
Along King Street in Frederiksted
Posted on May 25, 2009
Along King Street - 2009
A young woman was relaxing in the shade of an arched arcade along the main thoroughfare of Frederiksted on the west end of St. Croix. The colors of her clothes and the building, her white headscarf, and the classic arch of the building’s arcade made for an iconic image of this old and economically depressed town.
Just Color!
Posted on May 22, 2009
Wood Shutter and Wall - 2009
An old wood shutter, black iron hinge and peeling paint on the stucco wall provided the raw material. These peeling and crumbling tropical facades are the subject of thousands of photos by tourists and pros alike. Still, I can’t resist adding just one more to the pile.
Rum Factory Pot Still
Posted on May 20, 2009
Pot Still - 2009
This is an old pot still used in the making of rum back in the nineteeth century. With its strange gooseneck this is a somewhat unusual-looking relic of the sugar-based argibusiness of the Caribbean’s past. The image is dark and muddy to reflect my feelings about that past and some of its effects on people that continue to be passed down through the generations, even today.
For a gorgeous oil painting of an ancient sugar mill, and a description of things that took place there, check the May 20th post from Bonnie Luria, St. Croix painter and fellow blogger. Honestly, we didn’t conspire to address the same subject on the same day!
Flaming Hibiscus
Posted on May 17, 2009
Flaming Hibiscus - 2009
I saw this beautiful yellow hibiscus while walking in the neighborhood. It seemed to be just crackling and sizzling with energy, a physical manifestation of the sunshine we get here each day.
Fire in the Belly
Posted on May 12, 2009
Horse of a Different Color -- 2009
I was intrigued by the strength and curve of the neck and mane of this horse at pasture. Repeating that curve from the other side of this otherwise pastoral image revealed the fire in his belly.
Rusty Bolt on Yellow Plank
Posted on May 11, 2009
This image is from a parking barrier constructed of a heavy yellow plank bolted to two large posts. This bolt was well into its rusty phase, with rust stains spilling down below it. The plank itself was faded with dings and chips and peeling paint.
This was the raw material for the abstract study in texture and color below. As with many images on the web, some of the color and textural detail from the full-size original has been lost.
Rusty Bolt on Yellow Plank - 2009
Point Udall View to Buck Island
Posted on May 8, 2009
Buck Island View from Point Udall - 2009
Local tourism brochures advertise Point Udall on St. Croix as the easternmost point in the United States. The park and monument on Point Udall are on a high hill. This view looks back to the northwest along St. Croix’s north shore toward the iconic Buck Island in the distance. Although abstracted into a study in shape and color, the glowing attraction of the offshore landmark is still recognizable.
Black Pineapple
Posted on May 4, 2009
Black pineapple - 2009
Narrow and tall with a dark green skin, the black pineapple is a Caribbean favorite. Topped with rust-tinged leaves, this one seems to glow with sweetness.
The Changing Room
Posted on April 30, 2009
The changing room - 2009
This image came from a little park on the beach nearby. There is a small building with changing rooms for swimmers, and a number of large rocks and boulders that have been painted bright pink, yellow and purple. The half door, the colored boulders and the play of the shadows under the eaves in the early morning light led to this abstraction.
Left behind
Posted on April 27, 2009
Shard - 2009
This thick pale-blue piece of glass was laying on the broken green pavement of a long-abandoned and overgrown tennis court. While greens are not always my favorite color, this was like finding a jewel in the trash — a bit of beauty in what has been left behind.
Karla the Dog
Posted on April 25, 2009
Due to popular demand from the powers that be, including the dog, I am posting a “nice” portrait of Karla. So here she is, in her favorite spot on the bed with a view of the ocean, a bone in her paws, and the breeze blowing in. It’s a tough life.
Karla the Dog
So now tomorrow we’ll get back to some serious business, right Karla?
St. Croix — Hotel Caravelle Artwork
Mocko Jumbies
Donald Diddams 