I have no idea where time goes, I turn around and it's gone. Miss Jimmy's is my passion and when spending time working there, time stands still. I went crazy this summer with ceramic tiles. I love tiles, and found so many places that they could be put! Concrete walls and tiles are meant for each other, and tiles are easier to clean than concrete. Plus, these tiles are one of a kind, hardly ever seen anymore tiles from yesteryear, thanks to my hubby, who works for a tile company.
It is the Anguilla tradition not to throw away things, so any tiles the company no longer wanted are brought home. It is then my job to figure out where to put them. So 1950's tiles now line the kitchen porch with lots of fruits and vegetables. Little tiles on the window sills, they are all just too cute!
Then there is the front porch, lined with flowers tiles, some sparkly, some with gold, some dimensional, all different kinds. Lastly, the studio, has confetti and diamond tiles, very festive. Turkish tiles are gorgeous, so three table tops got tiled in them. Is it over the top?? You bet!!
We went through our usual hurricane scares this summer with boarding up the house, then patching up the holes when the boards came down, so now everything has been patched and painted a sparkly white, our next few weeks will be spent beating back the bush (we had lots of rain) and raking the rocks in readiness for our guests coming. The cocnout trees were planted, some more flamboyant trees, some papaya trees are growing, some avocado's, and December is the month for the flowers to bloom. A great time to visit Anguilla.
a work of art in progress
Summer time is the time to make little improvements to Miss Jimmy's as it is our slow season and no visitors are staying at present. Last week we constructed a beautiful rock wall in the front of the house. The rocks themselves are interesting, they are primarily limestone, with lots of holes and odd shapes. We didn't use mortar, just stacked them on top of each other, but they have to be placed a certain way to not fall. A test of a good rock wall is will the goats knock any down as they walk on the wall? So far, no! There are goats everywhere, some belong to neighbors, others roam the island in herds.
We put in two flower gardens by the kitchen steps, with rock wall borders. The next test is will the goats eat the flowers? Hopefully they will not. But don't bet on it.
My indoor project is ceramic tiles. Walt brought me these adorable 3" kitchen tiles with all kinds of fruit on them, majolica from Italy. They are now marching across the backsplash around the sink and stove. I love them! Tiles are everywhere in this house, and outside this house! Because Anguilla gets very dusty, and dirt sticks to the flat concrete surfaces, we tiled the top of the porch rails and alot of the window sills. Easy to wipe off and clean now.
I absolutely love tiles, especially the sample tiles that Walt brings home from his job at the tile warehouse. I am preparing to make a few table tops, maybe a wall plaque. When finished, I will take pics.
Other recent additions, I found an antique picture with sheet music from the 1890's, cleaned it up and put a new mat on it, it turned out great. I purchased a new piece of artwork by Sylvia Kahn and framed it, a nude, done in gouache, for the bedroom. Something old, something new, something borrowed... on loan to Miss Jimmy's is an antique oak desk from my friend Mitsou, also in the bedroom. I love it and lust to own it some day. Something blue... gorgeous sunny blue sky days!
We put in two flower gardens by the kitchen steps, with rock wall borders. The next test is will the goats eat the flowers? Hopefully they will not. But don't bet on it.
My indoor project is ceramic tiles. Walt brought me these adorable 3" kitchen tiles with all kinds of fruit on them, majolica from Italy. They are now marching across the backsplash around the sink and stove. I love them! Tiles are everywhere in this house, and outside this house! Because Anguilla gets very dusty, and dirt sticks to the flat concrete surfaces, we tiled the top of the porch rails and alot of the window sills. Easy to wipe off and clean now.
I absolutely love tiles, especially the sample tiles that Walt brings home from his job at the tile warehouse. I am preparing to make a few table tops, maybe a wall plaque. When finished, I will take pics.
Other recent additions, I found an antique picture with sheet music from the 1890's, cleaned it up and put a new mat on it, it turned out great. I purchased a new piece of artwork by Sylvia Kahn and framed it, a nude, done in gouache, for the bedroom. Something old, something new, something borrowed... on loan to Miss Jimmy's is an antique oak desk from my friend Mitsou, also in the bedroom. I love it and lust to own it some day. Something blue... gorgeous sunny blue sky days!
When there are no guests...
We frequently "work" on Miss Jimmy's, something always needs to be done. Summer is getting hot, the rains last week brought an abundance of new growth on the bush surrounding the property. Walter periodically beats back the bush with a machete, the best tool for the job. Gradually we are establishing gardens and flower beds,and planting trees.
There is one wild plant called "brides tears",or Mexican Creeper, that is prolific and although beautiful in it's own right, it creeps everywhere, climbing trees and choking other plants. It's flowers are tiny pinks and whites and when left alone in the "wild" area of the property, carpet the ground in blooms.
The real Miss Jimmy, whom the house is now named for, was an expert on bush and it's many uses. Alot of the plants here have medicinal properties and many uses. Miss Jimmy would provide people with bush remedies for whatever ailed them. Aloe is one of the plants that is still used.
I've gotten good at growing trees from seeds, we have avacado, flamboyant, coconut, and palm trees growing, among others. Amazingly, flamboyant trees will flower within 3 years of planting and bloom in the summer months.
The St. Martin artist Roland Richardson frequently paints the flamboyant tree, one of his favorite subjects.
There is one wild plant called "brides tears",or Mexican Creeper, that is prolific and although beautiful in it's own right, it creeps everywhere, climbing trees and choking other plants. It's flowers are tiny pinks and whites and when left alone in the "wild" area of the property, carpet the ground in blooms.
The real Miss Jimmy, whom the house is now named for, was an expert on bush and it's many uses. Alot of the plants here have medicinal properties and many uses. Miss Jimmy would provide people with bush remedies for whatever ailed them. Aloe is one of the plants that is still used.
I've gotten good at growing trees from seeds, we have avacado, flamboyant, coconut, and palm trees growing, among others. Amazingly, flamboyant trees will flower within 3 years of planting and bloom in the summer months.
The St. Martin artist Roland Richardson frequently paints the flamboyant tree, one of his favorite subjects.
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!
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!
Hurricane Omar
Omar came and went. Here in the Caribbean, few tourists venture to the region during the summer for fear of a hurricane. Although true that they do occur, here in Anguilla it is not that frequent. I personally enjoy summer, the water is nice and warm and the flamboyant trees bloom in summer. It's a little hotter in summer but not unbearably hot, never as hot as Baltimore gets in summer!
Back to Omar. This storm snuck up on us from the west, making it unusual. My husband put 11 sheets of plywood up on our windows on our house on Crocus Hill, since we sit on a hill overlooking Crocus Bay, on the west side of the island. Miss Jimmy's house has 19 windows which we did not cover at all. The storm started around midnight, and peaked at 4 AM. It was said to be a catagory 3 storm, although I have experienced much worse storms in St. Thomas, this storm moved fast, did not have alot of rain with it and mostly damaged trees, with the exception of blowing the boats in Sandy Ground Harbor onto the shore. Miss Jimmy's house came through unscathed, with a few fairly large trees down in the yard. Mother Nature's pruning! She likes to do things in a big way! We never lost phone lines, the electric was off for only 3 days, there were no injuries, and after the weekend of cleaning up, our island was back to normal.
We are now looking forward to fall and the return of the tourists, which start around our first event of the fall, Anguilla Jazz Festival, in early November. Come on down!!!
Back to Omar. This storm snuck up on us from the west, making it unusual. My husband put 11 sheets of plywood up on our windows on our house on Crocus Hill, since we sit on a hill overlooking Crocus Bay, on the west side of the island. Miss Jimmy's house has 19 windows which we did not cover at all. The storm started around midnight, and peaked at 4 AM. It was said to be a catagory 3 storm, although I have experienced much worse storms in St. Thomas, this storm moved fast, did not have alot of rain with it and mostly damaged trees, with the exception of blowing the boats in Sandy Ground Harbor onto the shore. Miss Jimmy's house came through unscathed, with a few fairly large trees down in the yard. Mother Nature's pruning! She likes to do things in a big way! We never lost phone lines, the electric was off for only 3 days, there were no injuries, and after the weekend of cleaning up, our island was back to normal.
We are now looking forward to fall and the return of the tourists, which start around our first event of the fall, Anguilla Jazz Festival, in early November. Come on down!!!
Miss Jimmy's most recent guest just left...
After spending a month, Brandt left for his home in New York. Whenever the house is empty, we get back to work on unfinished projects. I just completed a wall mural in the small bedroom, an arched window scene of the sea, bouganvilla growing up one side. It certainly gave the room a view! New art work brought back from Artscape went up on some walls, an African mud cloth went on a table and a very comfortable big basket chair came from Penny Legg and her husband today.
Chairs keep appearing in my life, as if I was meant to have them. I "find" them, or they "find" me. Penny and her husband are going back to England and were selling a few things before they leave. When I e-mailed Penny about the chair, it was sold. Lucky for me, the buyer didn't take it after all. It was just meant to be at Miss Jimmy's. Penny is a writer and had interviewed me for an article in Anguilla Life magazine as well as our Chamber of Commerce newsletter. She's also a blogger. We people of Anguilla will miss her!
Chairs keep appearing in my life, as if I was meant to have them. I "find" them, or they "find" me. Penny and her husband are going back to England and were selling a few things before they leave. When I e-mailed Penny about the chair, it was sold. Lucky for me, the buyer didn't take it after all. It was just meant to be at Miss Jimmy's. Penny is a writer and had interviewed me for an article in Anguilla Life magazine as well as our Chamber of Commerce newsletter. She's also a blogger. We people of Anguilla will miss her!
The adventures of the Artscape Festival in Baltimore
I left this warm and breezy island of Anguilla for the hot and steamy city of Baltimore to attend the three day Artscape Festival 2008, held on July 18th, 19th and 20th. This is the largest free arts venue in America. My reasons for attending were two-fold, one, to soak in all the culture and arts I could in my home town, and secondly, to beat my drum about Miss Jimmy's Artist Retreat. All three days (and nights) I handed out my newly made brochures and business cards while meeting and talking to artists. It was a blast! And it took me 3 days to see everything! Check out my new web site, http://missjimmysartistretreat.com.
The "center of operations" started each day at the Mount Royal Tavern, located in the heart of Artscape. It is such a wild tavern that has been there forever, at one time a speakeasy! The ceiling of the tavern has a replica of the Cistine Chapel on the ceiling and a long wall is devoted to rotating art exhibits of local artists. My daughter Dawn is bartender there as well. She runs a tight and busy ship and you can thank her for the juke box selections which are excellent. Not to mention the service!
I stayed in a bed and breakfast on Bolton Street called The Phoenix Risin', a wonderful place. This beautiful townhouse was filled with art, African, Haitian, Afro-American and Indian American art was everywhere. A feast for the eyes, not to mention a delicious gormet breakfast each morning provided by the owner and hostess, Janice Orr. This central downtown location was within a few blocks of Artscape.
The "center of operations" started each day at the Mount Royal Tavern, located in the heart of Artscape. It is such a wild tavern that has been there forever, at one time a speakeasy! The ceiling of the tavern has a replica of the Cistine Chapel on the ceiling and a long wall is devoted to rotating art exhibits of local artists. My daughter Dawn is bartender there as well. She runs a tight and busy ship and you can thank her for the juke box selections which are excellent. Not to mention the service!
I stayed in a bed and breakfast on Bolton Street called The Phoenix Risin', a wonderful place. This beautiful townhouse was filled with art, African, Haitian, Afro-American and Indian American art was everywhere. A feast for the eyes, not to mention a delicious gormet breakfast each morning provided by the owner and hostess, Janice Orr. This central downtown location was within a few blocks of Artscape.
A Caribbean Dream
"You have your brushes, you have your colors, you paint paradise-then in you go."
Experience the true beauty of this island paradise and live, work and play with us. A warm welcome to Miss Jimmy's, an artist retreat on the beautiful island of Anguilla.
Situated on a hill overlooking the historic upper valley, Miss Jimmy's house ws originally built in 1937 and is surrounded by two acres of land at the end of a quiet road, within easy wlking distance of Crocus Bay beach.
Recently renovated and lovingly restored, with over a 1000 feeet living space, it is fully furnished for comfortable living. The studio space has lots of natural light and an adjoining outside patio porch. The studio is equipped with easels and tables for your use, including a French portable easel. The rooms include a bedroom with queen size bed, a small bedroom with a single bed, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen and dining area, utility room and two porches.
This retreat is available on a monthly or bi-monthly basis with savings offered on a full month. It is meant to encourage and provide artists with a comfortable working atmosphere, and more imortantly, to have artists experience the real Anguilla, to be among and with us and contribute to our rich and growing art community. Have some creative fun with a place to leave a mark if you wish.
Experience the true beauty of this island paradise and live, work and play with us. A warm welcome to Miss Jimmy's, an artist retreat on the beautiful island of Anguilla.
Situated on a hill overlooking the historic upper valley, Miss Jimmy's house ws originally built in 1937 and is surrounded by two acres of land at the end of a quiet road, within easy wlking distance of Crocus Bay beach.
Recently renovated and lovingly restored, with over a 1000 feeet living space, it is fully furnished for comfortable living. The studio space has lots of natural light and an adjoining outside patio porch. The studio is equipped with easels and tables for your use, including a French portable easel. The rooms include a bedroom with queen size bed, a small bedroom with a single bed, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen and dining area, utility room and two porches.
This retreat is available on a monthly or bi-monthly basis with savings offered on a full month. It is meant to encourage and provide artists with a comfortable working atmosphere, and more imortantly, to have artists experience the real Anguilla, to be among and with us and contribute to our rich and growing art community. Have some creative fun with a place to leave a mark if you wish.
Travel to Art Scape, Baltimore, Maryland
Art Scape is a 3 day art festival held in Baltimore, Maryland every summer. This year's dates are July 18, 19 and 20th, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.It is held down town near the Maryland Institute of Art in the Mount Royal area and it is a blast to attend. This year I am staying at a bed and breakfast in Bolton Hill, called Phoenix Risin. I hope to give out information on Miss Jimmy's to the many artists I will meet and enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival.
Currently a dance teacher is staying at Miss Jimmy's until August. Very happily staying, may I add!
My very first "sculpture" for the yard is nearly finished, I believe it will be the strangest sculpture in Anguilla. But it was great fun working on it. It is a 6'man, a concrete structure embedded with all sorts of tools and metal abjects that I found in the yard and buried in the dirt around the house. These were the "artifacts", so I call the man "Art E. Facts". He has aliases, Frank N. Stein, Tool Man, and Pot Head. He's a sight to behold!
Currently a dance teacher is staying at Miss Jimmy's until August. Very happily staying, may I add!
My very first "sculpture" for the yard is nearly finished, I believe it will be the strangest sculpture in Anguilla. But it was great fun working on it. It is a 6'man, a concrete structure embedded with all sorts of tools and metal abjects that I found in the yard and buried in the dirt around the house. These were the "artifacts", so I call the man "Art E. Facts". He has aliases, Frank N. Stein, Tool Man, and Pot Head. He's a sight to behold!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
