Las Benditas de Key West

This week, Terry and I attended an art show featuring a portrait of me!

The artist, Michael Philip, is a dear friend of mine. He and his partner, Doug are members of our wine group and we've known them as long as we've been in Key West.

Michael did a show like this with portraits of, I believe 14 women in New Orleans with great success, and he decided to approach the director of The Studios of Key West (TSKW) with a similar idea for a fundraiser using their space. TSKW is a large, beautifully restored armory building now housing small studios for artists and several gallery spaces.

He proposed that they invite 21 women, Las Benditas, to be models for portraits in a specific style. The "subjects" would pay a fee, and then the night of the opening they could buy their portrait or someone in their "entourage" (oh yes - I left out that part. each of us had to invite ten people to attend the opening) could buy it for a certain price. After that, the show became public and anyone could purchase a portrait for a higher price. They loved the idea and their board approved the choices.


I was selected to be one of the 21.

Needless to say I was truly honored to be included in this group of women, most of whom do a lot of charitable work and contribute to the community in other ways that I don't.

I was pretty nervous the night of the exhibition since I knew the style of the portraits was to be "Cubism and Neo-expressionism." We had had an initial interview and picture taking here at the house and talked about things that were important to me, inspirations, colors I love. All kinds of things to help him portray me not as just a face but also as an inner person. It was a fascinating process. He did this with all of the women and then proceeded over the next six weeks to produce 21 portraits. A monumental achievement!


The opening was a huge success. The gallery was so packed with people you could barely move. Luckily the "Las Benditas" were allowed in first to have time to find their portraits and be photographed. In case you're wondering, the name means "the blessed ones" so you can see why I feel so honored.

I can't thank Michael enough for including me in this spectacular event. And in case you were wondering, we did purchase my portrait. I have already selected a place of honor for it in my home.

First Thursday Featured Guest: Key West Artist, Eric Afinson

For the First Thursday Holiday Open House last week, Style Key West was excited to host Key West artist, Eric Anfinson, who shows at Lucky Street Gallery. Eric's haunting portraits tell a story of a spiritual evolution, both of the artist and the subject.


Eric's own story is as inspiring as the work he exhibits. At 16, he suffered a football injury causing paralysis and minimal use his limbs. But in his thirties, he began painting. Thanks to some flexibility in his right arm and shoulder, he found that he had enough movement to put paintbrush to canvas. And the successful career that followed tells the rest of the story.

This year, in addition to his collection of five boxed note cards, Eric has created a 2011 wall calendar. The calendar is a "red balloon project," and 10 percent of the proceeds goes to the Just For Kids Art Program in Bahama Village, here in Key West. You can visit his website for more information about Eric and his Etsy shop if you are interested in purchasing his calendars and note cards.

Cosmo the Boat Cat

Please allow us to introduce you to Cosmopolitan Von Moxie Sweet Tewell, or Cosmo the Boat Cat, as he's known in Key West.



Cosmo and his trusty human side-kick Sherry Sweet T were our featured guests at last week's Caroline Street Art & Design District First Thursday event. Sherry has created a beautifully illustrated children's book telling of Cosmo's adventures when they moved onto a house boat.

Now, some of the story may seem a little hard to believe, but Sherry swears, and I've seen photos, that the manatees and various and sundry other sea creatures swim right up to the boat and Cosmo truly seems to interact with them. And the poor little guy did end up in the drink one day.


This is a great gift for the children in your life and it comes with a DVD, and you can get a little plush Cosmo to go along with it! And the best part of it is that not only do the children learn how important it is to protect and preserve the reef, but a portion of sales goes to support Reef Relief, Save the Manatee Club, and the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL.


I bought the book for my grandchildren and they love it. Now they call all black and white cats they see, "Cosmos."

First Thursday in The Caroline St. Art & Design District

Two years ago, along with several other design related businesses nearby, we created the Caroline Street Art & Design District.


The community includes everything from art galleries to fine clothing boutiques to unique home furnishings shops - even a boutique coffee shop/art gallery.


What began as a few merchants on Caroline and Margaret Streets has evolved into a 2 block by 3 block square of wonderful shops, galleries, and eateries.


Last year Florida Travel & Life magazine featured the District as where "the best Key West Shopping is found."


On the first Thursday of each month, we host an evening "stroll" with each shop offering wine and goodies while shoppers browse. They then can grab a bite at one of the many restaurants in the area.


We're so proud to be a part of the District, and we take this monthly opportunity to display some of our shop favorites.

In honor of our newest line, Annechovie, next week we'll feature the Anne Harwell's lovely work. Having fallen in love with her chairs, I perused her Etsy shop, and we are now carrying her note cards and prints!







I'm just thrilled to carry this fabulous line - and from a Florida girl at that!

Come back next Friday for pictures of the upcoming First Thursday festivities. In the meantime, you can expect to see some posts on other District members.

For more information on the participating shops and restaurants, visit http://www.carolinestreetartanddesigndistrict.com/.

The "Southernmost Southernmost House" Owner

Does this sculpture seem familiar?


Or if you live in Washington DC, you probably know this one (The Awakening)...


These are the work of J. Seward Johnson Jr., known for his life-size sculptures of people in every day life (well, maybe not The Awakening). Born in 1930, he is the disinherited heir to the Johnson & Johnson company... and, of course, our Southernmost neighbor.

Some of his work is on display at The Old Customs House near Mallory Square. Here are two sculptures of everyday life...



The next two photos are of our visitors' favorite pastime...



Actually that last shot was of a real tourist taking photos. Is the couple in the next shot "real or Johnson"?


Let's take a closer look...

It's a Johnson!

Mr. Johnson is also fond of bringing impressionist art alive...




Here's one of an impressionist painter...


Actually, it turns out to be a sculpture painting a sculpture.

The final shot is of a young man getting an interesting perspective on the cavorting nudes...

But it's O.K. ...He's a Johnson, too!