The Bananaquit

These birds live for sweet nectar, and if you make it easy for them, a bowl of sugar. Their location seems appropriate; a mesmeric island where the good life runs thick. Oddly enough, if you look for their classification online, there is a bit of a debate. Some experts suggest that perhaps the little bird should be ‘split’ into three classifications because they can’t decide where to put it. Curious. I wonder if it feels the need to be classified, or what it might think about being ‘split.’

“How many for dinner?” “Just me,” I said. “Oh yes, just you, always the same, just you,” she said with that big Caribbean grin. It’s interesting to be alone in a place where no one goes to be alone. People come here to be with lovers, or family and friends. They gather, and they laugh, and if not for the small printout of USA Today’s news highlights at the hostess stand, forget that the rest of the world exists. That is not a bad thing. The older I get, the more I like the sound of it.

“Oh, are you dining alone? That’s so sad,” said the woman seated at the table next to me. I quickly quelled her fears for my seemingly sad social existence; “I’m painting for a few weeks in a beautiful place where I am fed like a queen and someone else does my laundry. I am a happy camper – promise.” She seemed relieved. They enjoyed their dinner. I enjoyed mine.

“Dessert, Miss Kelly?” “Ohhh…that ‘sweet nectar’ thing.” I wanted it so badly. “I want to be a Bananaquit,” I thought to myself. “Just go right for the white chocolate mousse, or the bread pudding, or the key lime pie. AND, because I don’t belong to any classification, I could behave erratically and it would be perfectly acceptable. Yes, that could be fun,” I thought. I’m sure there are downsides to the Bananaquit lifestyle – but as I have not fully lived it, I do not yet know what they are.

So, I raise my glass to this hyper little bird that sings boisterously and I toast – “To drinking sweet nectar all day, and not feeling like you might bust – to you, pretty bird, I tip my sun hat.”

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3 Responses to The Bananaquit

Sounds so relaxing. I love your paintings, they make me feel like I am there with you. Enjoy!

Posted by Lisa Young · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

Oh that’s cool. That’s the point I guess. It’s another world here. Happy to have tasted it.

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

I love the birds, and again, your writing is great too. Cheers!

Posted by Pam Davies · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

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Venus

Venus has been at the Bitter End for over 30 years. She has a beautiful full face.

My battery is about to run out, so I’ll have to elaborate later.

Nice day at the Bitter End.

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7 Responses to Venus

My Very Beautiful Mother !!!!!!

Posted by toya · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

What a beautiful painting of that beautiful face, keep up the good work, girl!!!

Posted by Pam Davies · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Thanks Ladies. Toya, your Mother is beautiful – and what a sweet disposition too. She speaks proudly of all of her babies, and has great patience!

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

thanks Kelly she sure does !

Posted by toya · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

Wow! I love this painting. Okaii maybe I have more than a few reasons for being bias, but I am proud of the outcome. I think its a masterful piece of art!

Great job to the artist and the subject 🙂

Posted by Uri J · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

what a beautiful picture. lots of love for this lady she just happen to be my mother. Thank you mrs kelly

Posted by BURT PETERS · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

you are welcome Mr Burt

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 121 months ago

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Sea Glass

The Club House Bar at The Bitter End Yatch Club has a really cool collection of mostly intact glass bottels sanded by the sea.

The sun seems to find them high up on the rack, and they glow.

The pain killers (a cocktail) are good too.

Sea Glass

9″ x 12″

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2 Responses to Sea Glass

I can almost smell the salty ocean air, wish I could be there with you.

Posted by Tom Sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

me too papa bear. me too.

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

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Not So Subtle Sunset

Sweet sunset cruise on a catamaran through the islands. Can’t paint on a boat very well, so mostly from memory. Nothing subtle about the sunsets here. It’s a pretty special place. I’m taking the rest of the day to go hike the trails and get some panorama views. I’m also going to see if I can rally up a skipper so I can get some shots of The Bitter End from the water. The wind is more mellow today.

This place is heavenly.

Virgin Gorda Sunset

9″ x 12″

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Spoiled Studio Painter

I’m getting a workout. I wiped out two canvases today. That happens sometimes, and it’s ok. Repeated wipeouts are better than a bad start that will madden you all the way through. But I had already done it twice today – I was a bit unwilling to go for three.

I spent some time wandering around this morning, ducking the short bursts of rain. There are many things here that I would love to paint – but the wind blows so hard (a big bonus for all of the sailors and wind sport fans here) and the sun is so strong (another bonus for the bathing goddesses) that I find myself seeking shelter, and letting it dictate my subjects. Am I a spoiled ‘studio painter’ – well, I must do something about that. There are elements here that I need to figure out. It may take a few days to adjust. I set up in an open covered hall that The Bitter End use for events. It’s surrounded by flowers, but the ones on my canvas did not live very long.

I put on my pack and wandered back to my room. I dropped the big ol’ pack and checkout out of the hammock for the first time. Nice. Trying to brush off the despair over my two failed morning pieces, I rolled off the hammock and set up my easel in the comfort of my own ‘home’…well, my porch. I think I can officially say that palm trees are a bit tricky. They are one with the wind, so you have to make it up as you go along. Once I started to see it, I relaxed into it in my new island studio and enjoyed myself.

I may see what the sunset looks like from there tonight and have at it again. Tomorrow, I think there is a cactus with my name on it.

Palm Trees

10″ x 8″

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Harbor Rain

More on that later. Back to work/play…

Harbor Rain

10″ x 8

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The Island Palette

This is a place where all seems right with the world. I arrived yesterday. I was tired, a bit worn out from the past few weeks, and feeling really thankful for such a reprieve. The Bitter End is tucked into a cove on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. The sound (or perhaps it is the lack of sound) is hypnotic. Wind moves through the trees and the sea washes up. There are no cars. No music. No sounds except what nature brings up, and the ping of ropes against the masts that fill the harbor. I walked around, slowly, looking. Cactus grows off the rock. Flowering vines cover the stone walls. Small mangrove trees pop out of the sea. The water moves from crystal clear to turquoise to the deepest purest blue I have ever seen. Overlooking all of it are cottages with wooden plank pathways tucked along the shore and up the hillsides. It’s like living in a well appointed tree house with ocean views and running water. All of it, just up the path from your favorite pub where all you need to do is sign your name.

I was not given a key to my tree house. There are no thieves in paradise. A bit of food, some rum punch, and an 8pm bed time wrapped up my day.

I had big 6AM plans of touring the trails and checking out the early morning light. Rain and heavy winds suggested that I stay put. I rolled over and willingly obliged the island weather gods. When the rain stopped I loaded my gear and went out to discover, wide-eyed and well rested.

I chose something simple. There are amazing views here, and yachts, and hill sides, and happy people. But rather than getting caught up in the bigness of it all, I opted for something uncomplicated, a simple design of light and shadow, allowing myself to play with a whole new color palette; the island palette. This is my warm up. Tomorrow will bring a more expansive view.

The Mangrove Tree

8″ x 10″

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8 Responses to The Island Palette

Hey there Kelly – I was the kiteboarder checking out your painting in the earlier stages. It ended up gorgeous!!! Just wanted to send ya props!! Scott

Posted by Scott Allerton · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Just beautiful, Kelly. You surely captured the essence of the place.

Posted by Cynthia Compton-Conley · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Pretty pic, Kelly. I can see and feel that incredible brightness and light that are El Caribe.
Looking forward to more paintings and your great narrative. Cheers!

Posted by Pam Davies · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Hey Scott, thanks for taking the time to say so! What you guys do out there looks SOOO fun. I want to do it – really I do. But my ol’ body is not so sure. I see you flying through the water and flipping around and all I could think was “my kids would LOVE this!!”

I did try to shoot you guys today, but not for very long – I was carrying that pack. I’ll come tomorrow with a rum punch and sit on the pier.

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Hi Cynthia and Pam. Thanks for the posts. I am trying. It is pretty remarkable here. I struggled today with some awesome clouds over the harbor – but only figured it out just now by referencing some other works. I’ll try to bring it around in the AM and post early. I raise my rum punch to you…

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

oh geeze… i just realized that I reference ‘rum punch’ twice. Sorry mom. It means nothing – really. XO

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

You go girl!!!

Posted by Pam Davies · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

This is exciting. I can’t wait to see your work over the next couple of weeks!

Posted by Reed · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

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Made It to The Bitter End

Wow. I’m too tired to be witty, and I think my one liners can not do this place justice. I’m taking the rest of the day to soak it up, and take a deep breath. I just received word that my sweet girl made it home from the hospital today. I will sleep better. Tomorrow, I will paint.

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Budget Traveler

Totally disconnected. I went the thrifty traveler route. I have to spend one night in St. Thomas because the airline changed the flight time. I arrived too late to catch the last ferry off the island. Something small, clean, close to the ferry, and with Internet. That was all I required.

In hindsight, perhaps one notch up might have been a wise choice. Small – yes, clean -mostly, close to the ferry -12 blocks – with Internet, …usually. Third floor walk up with a very heavy suitcase full of paint and supplies – ouch.

It’s ok really. I’m not complaining. Just wish I could check in with the family. Make sure my ‘babies’ are all good. But I can’t do that. Perhaps that is the point of it all. I will trust that they are fine. I will finish my second planter’s punch and I will fall fast asleep for the first time in a week.

I am excited to on this little adventure. One really solid nights sleep. That is all I need.

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All The Wrong Curves

She gave me permission to say it. It did not come easy. No one, especially the young with their lives ahead of them, want to publicize their shortcomings around the playground. So I tried to keep her ‘secret’. I tried to swallow the guilt, and find a better answer for her. I couldn’t.

“You gave me all the wrong curves” she said, laughing. I laughed back, but it really was not so funny. A little over a year ago, just before the start of this blog, my daughter told me her back hurt. I had just recovered from a herniated disk, and I had no sympathy. She was 14. I was 46. Stretch out. That was my advice.

I boarded a plane for Italy. I was accepted to a 4-week residency painting program, and I was going. I don’t regret that. Our kids stayed with my sister in-law, a nurse. I returned home to a new understanding. “Ok, a little scoliosis – I have that too – no big deal – it never bothered me,” I thought. I was wrong.

Subsequent visits to doctors all offered the same conclusion. Spinal fusion. NO. Not my girl. NO. We tried all of the alternative methods with fierce determination. We watched her curve, along with her pain, progress. Our move to the east coast had as much to do with Shriners Hospital as it did with my art career. I knew it was coming. I knew I needed my family.

I know the experts say that this blog is not supposed to be about my private life. It is suppose to be about art. But my private life is what fuels my art. They go hand in hand. One feeds the other, and chokes it too.

I have had many high points, but they are always weighted by some other element. I painted with the Rolling Stones under a wickedly broken heart (he was a jerk too). I experienced some of the most moving work of my career, without the ability to pay the mortgage. I have also paid the mortgage with some very uninspiring work. Every so often I hit that bliss that we all search for – those of us that believe it still exists anyway. But it seems that for the most part, you can’t have it all, all of the time.

I have been invited to paint in paradise. I am going. I leave on Wednesday. It is an amazing opportunity, one that I considered canceling because an opening came up in her surgery schedule. I didn’t want to make her wait until the summer. She didn’t want me to give up on a dream. Behind the solution, is one strong little lady, and her incredible Dad.

This has been the most difficult week of my life – and hers – and his. She has crushed me with her tears, and inspired me with her strength.

I will paint in paradise. I will go without guilt knowing that she is in the hands of great love. I will paint all of the beauty that I can find, because I am in the hands of great love. Hand in hand – that art & life thing… hand in hand.

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4 Responses to All The Wrong Curves

wow, the life of an artist in a nutshell. Unless you live in a vacuum,
or in a cave somewhere, we do have to make these choices. I am in a
similar situation, and canceled my trip to Philly for the Portrait
conference because of it; but am holding out for a trip to Mongolia
(if I get accepted) if my husband is still healthy enough for me to go
away for that long of a time.
HE really wants me to go. But if he’s unable to care for himself, how could I?
Scary stuff. Keep painting and I will too.

Posted by Mimi Torchia Boothby · via web · 122 months ago

Kelly, my heart goes out to you. My son wore a back brace for scoliosis for a year and a half. He is 18 now and we’re just still watching it. I am so happy to hear you are going to paint in paradise, and I send lots of healing energy to your special girl. All will be well.
p.s. my son wore thick hoodies even on warm days so nobody would see the brace underneath, so I can imagine her bravery in allowing this post…hugs!!

Posted by Lisa · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Hi Mimi, I’m sorry you will not make it to Philly. I know you were looking forward to it. We are lucky to share life with people we love, and sometimes we have no choice. Sometimes, we have to make the choice. Aidan is on the road to recovery. She came through the surgery with flying colors, and although the next four weeks will be painful and not without struggle – I know in my heart that she will be fine, and that she will be in the hands of her father – a really good father. That makes a big difference. I hope you can make it to Mongolia. It sounds like an amazing opportunity. One that you deserve, and one that Donald would love you to have. Yes, keep painting Mimi.

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

Hi Lisa, Thanks for the note. It is a hard thing to see your babies (though they may be taller than you) struggle. I appreciate you taking the time to post. I hope your son can find a better solution. If there is no pain, than a little curve should be OK to live with. Easier to say when it is not your young body carrying it I guess.

Posted by kelly sullivan · via kellysullivanfineart.com · 122 months ago

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The Bananaquit

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Venus

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Sea Glass

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Not So Subtle Sunset

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Spoiled Studio Painter

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Harbor Rain

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The Island Palette

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Made It to The Bitter End

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Budget Traveler

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All The Wrong Curves

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