This is a long holiday weekend, as tomorrow is "Anguilla Day", our independence day. There will be lots of celebrations and boat races, and a day off from work.
Miss Jimmy's is blessed this weekend with a friend and artist from St. Martin, who is staying for a few days. St. Martin is a 30 minute ferry ride from Anguilla, with ferries running about every hour throughout the day, the terminal being on the French side of the island. I don't know which is more fun, having a visitor from St. Martin or visiting St. Martin! Visiting is like going to Paris for the day, Marigot is a charming town that reminds me of New Orleans. It is full of cafes', bistros, restaurants, boutiques and shops, but laid back Caribbean style. Island hopping is fun, from St. Martin you can hop to St. Barts, or hop to Saba, Stasia or St. Kitts. You can see the islands from our eastern shore.
Yesterday we went shopping here in Anguilla, and shopping here is a unique experience. My find of the day, I bought a handmade palm broom for Miss Jimmy's house, for $8.75 EC! EC is Eastern Caribbean currency so the broom cost $3.28 US. What a geat buy,there is something special about hand made. US dollars and EC dollars are interchangable here, no need to do any exchanges, the shops take either one. The rate of exchange is $2.68 EC for 1 US dollar.
To make the weekend even better, my friend is an excellent French cook! I happen to hold the title of world's worst cook so this was a special treat for me to have a wonderful dinner prepared by her.
St. Martin has a rich and vibrant art community,and my friend brought me the lastest copy of Soualig' Art Magazine, a monthly publication in both French and English.
My quilting projects have been abandoned temporarily to enjoy the companionship of my best friend. Last week I worked in a frenzy with African fabrics and pieced 2 quilts and a wallhanging! I need a break before tackling the job of hand quilting them. Enjoy your weekend wherever you are!
The delinquent blogger
I am delinquent, maybe the world's worst blogger. I am reappearing with new resolve to change my delinquent ways and beat the drum again for Miss Jimmy's Artist Retreat, Anguilla, and a way of life that surely artists can enjoy.
I have a dual life as an artist, since I am foremost a quilter. Very strange to be making quilts on a tropical island? Yes, and no. Our visitors are often from the northern climates and enjoy taking back a colorful, warm quilt that reminds them of their visit. I sell from the Estate Hope Art Studio, which is located in my home on Crocus Hill. I am a passionate, prolific quilter and use every and all fabrics known to mankind. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.)This week it has been African fabrics. There's nothing like the real thing!
Miss Jimmy's, on the other hand, is our other house, a stone's throw away, actually a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk, and is devoted to giving artists a place to live, work and play while here. Alot of my guests have been visitors to the studio and so far word of mouth has worked very well in renting Miss Jimmy's.
Unlike other retreats, this one does not involve any teaching. It is a retreat from the ordinary, a place to soak up sun, sand, and a colorful island culture. A place where you can spill turpentine without worrying.
Our guests have been fine artists, writers, dancers, photographers, and musicians. We don't draw a line on art!
Quilters would be just as welcome, and a sewing machine can be provided for your use as well. Fiber artists, explore using coconut fiber! Go to the beach every day, then drag stuff back to Miss Jimmy's and paste and glue and sew or whatever it is you do. The idea is to explore the island, be inspired by the beauty here and then make stuff.
Miss Jimmy's is a creation too, and always in progress. I vow to blog about it frequently and stop my delinquent ways!
I have a dual life as an artist, since I am foremost a quilter. Very strange to be making quilts on a tropical island? Yes, and no. Our visitors are often from the northern climates and enjoy taking back a colorful, warm quilt that reminds them of their visit. I sell from the Estate Hope Art Studio, which is located in my home on Crocus Hill. I am a passionate, prolific quilter and use every and all fabrics known to mankind. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.)This week it has been African fabrics. There's nothing like the real thing!
Miss Jimmy's, on the other hand, is our other house, a stone's throw away, actually a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk, and is devoted to giving artists a place to live, work and play while here. Alot of my guests have been visitors to the studio and so far word of mouth has worked very well in renting Miss Jimmy's.
Unlike other retreats, this one does not involve any teaching. It is a retreat from the ordinary, a place to soak up sun, sand, and a colorful island culture. A place where you can spill turpentine without worrying.
Our guests have been fine artists, writers, dancers, photographers, and musicians. We don't draw a line on art!
Quilters would be just as welcome, and a sewing machine can be provided for your use as well. Fiber artists, explore using coconut fiber! Go to the beach every day, then drag stuff back to Miss Jimmy's and paste and glue and sew or whatever it is you do. The idea is to explore the island, be inspired by the beauty here and then make stuff.
Miss Jimmy's is a creation too, and always in progress. I vow to blog about it frequently and stop my delinquent ways!
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