Iris Lewis, one of the gallery’s pre-eminent artists, has lived on Anguilla for decades, and has a wonderful eye for all things visual 
on this island. When the St. John-based artist Janet Cook-Rutnik was in the gallery last week, she was struck by the painting “House near Crocus Bay” by Iris. She commented how the artist perceived that the landscape was, in essence, trying to take back this house into itself. She’s right….
I walked up the street from the gallery today, and took a couple of pics of this once-lovely and loved house. Maybe someday, she’ll be restored. I can only hope.
I was delighted when Janet Cook Rutnik from St. John called last week, and told me she wanted to come and visit Anguilla. I’ve known Janet for many years now, and have mounted two exhibitions of her pastels about 10 years ago. 
She enjoyed herself at Windsong Villa, and treated me to a wonderful dinner at Luna Rosa. I’m riveted by all the new work she brought with her, but especially of this “Agnes” series. Agnes, in the artists words, deals with the strength and character of Caribbean women, young and old, who believe in the power of faith, and look to the future with steadfast hope. The works are ”re-worked monotypes”, essentially making them unique works of art. They, along with recent linocuts and screenprints by the artist can be found in the “Artists” section of this site.
You’d have to go back to my October 23, 2009 entry to see how delighted I was that a papaya (paw-paw) tree had sprung forth right beside the gallery. I’m equally delighted today – my first pawpaw ripened on the tree, and was immensely enjoyed this afternoon…. I’d like take credit for both the planting of the tree, and it’s growth, but both just sort of happened on their own.
I was absolutely delighted today
to hang two paintings by the late great Haitian master, Henri Robert Bresil. Bresil was born in 1952 in Gonaives, Haiti, and died in 1999. His paintings of lush jungles and waterfalls are considered by many to be some of the finest landscape paintings of pastoral Haiti. Both works are exquisite.
WISE is just up the road from the Gallery, and is a wonderful cause worthy of support.
Try and make it, if you find yourself on Island!
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup corn meal
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup grated cheese (whatever is lurking in the fridge)
1 can of chicken stock
Mix all ingredients together until a nice batter happens. Sometimes, you don’t need to add the whole can, and the extra is excellent mixed with kibble….
Bake in a well greased cookie sheet at 375 for about 30 minutes.
Let cool, then cut into desired size treats. I use a pizza cutter…
Your dogs will love them, and love you extra for the effort. There are no preservatives in these treats, so they should be kept in a sealed container, in the fridge.
Here’s mine, waiting for a taste………….
Iris Lewis has continued with these very beautiful paintings, “The Flotsam Series”, based on imagery seen through, and using “flotsam” in the Anguillian landscape. A visit to Iris’ studio this morning allowed me to load the car up with new works, most on a smaller scale, whilst keeping the same strong visual impact of earlier works of this series. 
