Key West

Key West, Florida has long attracted literary luminaries and world figures. Like many visitors, I was attracted by its small town charm and vividly colored tropical vistas. I have hidden a number of world figures in my Key West painting, most notably Ernest Hemingway – who stands in the front of his beloved Sloppy Joe’s Bar – where he held court during the last years of his life.

I’ve included a number of vintage cars in my painting to suggest the nostalgic charm as evident today as it was in the earlier decades in Key West. In the clear air and luminous sky the Caribbean colors rise to vivid heights. I utilized a broad stroke technique along with much fine detail to capture the festive atmosphere of Key West.

Between ten and twenty layers of paint, featuring delicate glazing, create the opalescent hues of the Caribbean. If you have fond memories of America’s southernmost city, if you long for the tropics, or if you simply enjoy the dramatic charm of a bustling town, Key West could be a treasure in your home.