Savannah Gallery

I found this wonderful quote of the artist in reallife magazine, a publication about Caribbean design and culture.  It’s at the end of the article, and Stafford says this about his work “somewhat akin to surrealist philosophy…to be interpreted in the mind’s eye, rather than the actuality of physical involvement”.  I thought it was a profound sentiment as I installed these two new works in the gallery, “Fishing Village”, and “Roses, Hibiscus and Wine Bottle”.  Both such beautiful and evocative gems.

DELIGHTED to hang this Romel Balan “Tree of Life” in the gallery.  I’ve always shown the unpainted metal works from Haiti.  I respect the brightly painted ones, and love this particular sculpture because the birds in the tree are lightly painted.  A hybrid of sorts!

A strange schedule prevailed yesterday, did not bring my little lunch to the gallery, and landed up the west end in the early afternoon.  LUCKILY, I landed up at Spice of India and had a truly delicious late lunch.  Tried something new, called Kadai Chicken, which was one of the most truly flavourful meals I’ve enjoyed in a while.  I asked to make it spicy, and was delighted!

Ms. Workman knocks it out of the park again, with these 3 gyotaku-based paintings.  All superb, but I am drawn incredibly to “Mahi Madness”.  Once again, the artist creates “rubbings” using fish from the sea, then builds on that original image with a variety of media.  Exquisite.

Ms. Mason’s nautical adventures have led to some really fine paintings.  I love this one, “Old Buoys in the Sunset”, and also adore the poetic prose written by the artist on the back of the painting!

I’ve been hearing great things about the breakfast buffet at Zemi Beach Hotel, so this morning, a friend and I, armed only with awesome appetites, headed over to Shoal Bay East to check it out.  What a wonderful treat!  This really is one of the loveliest buffets I’d seen in ages, and everything was well prepared and delicious.  It’s the small touches too – fresh squeezed o.j., and very good coffee compliment the food.  I LOVED this carved watermelon/  I mean, what can I say???  PS  Particularly delicious and flaky croissants………

I ‘ve been chomping at the proverbial bit for these new works of Jo-Anne Mason – she tempted me with pics as she traveled with Chris to St. Kitts, Nevis and Sint Maarten.  DELIGHTED to have them in the gallery now, and positively worth the wait.  All quite superb, as she continues to see the inherent beauty in landscapes and now seascapes, that you and and I might glance at and forget.  She’s quite new to the world of boating, but her paintings of Sandy Ground, and the buoy of Simpson Bay are absolutely exquisite.

I’m fielding lots of very welcome compliments lately about the strong state of the gallery, and for that, I have to thank my artists.  Proof of that last week, Kim Workman’s very large gyotaku piece,”The Deep” looks amazing beside Victor Hempel’s “Welcoming the Morning Sun”.  It’s quite different than her smaller works here at the gallery, as it is done on rag paper, then manipulated with these beautiful crinkles before being mounted on canvas and sealed.  Francis Eck’s new work “Quand Passant les Voiles” (When the Sails Pass By) is an arresting painting in its’ own right.   Thank you!

I don’t think there’s a more perfect Sunday afternoon than good friends and great food at Jacala.  Today was no exception.  I started with this gorgeous cold beet soup, swirled with balsamic combined with the perfect center of crumbled feta and walnuts.  A taste treat, though I’ve had it before, and loved it every time.  The lunch special was new though – blackened Mahi Mahi served on a bed of vegetable and herb coulis, with a side of exquisite stuffed local tomatoes.   The place was hopping!  A cocktail or three MAY have seen its’ way to our table…..

I’ve been struck all week by the beauty of this new work by the marquetry master, Jean-Pierre Straub.  It’s of a home in the Colombier village of St. Martin, and although small, 8 1/2 x 7 1/2″, it conveys to me, at least, his masterful talents.  Such a simply superb gem!