St. Croix This Week- November Cover

They loom, stilts no challenge for their years of training. Mocko Jumbies are the feature of this months’ cover.

Interpreters of superstitions and spirits of  long ago , their contemporaries perform at Jump Up, a four time a year favorite  event.  I found a great video

on You Tube that gives you an idea of their height and irresistible street cred.

Here’s a link to the ” About the Artist ” page on the inside of the magazine- a place for shameless self promotion, or another tear sheet for my only heir to ruminate over keeping or using it as a book mark.

St. Croix LAST week was the destination for 5 visiting friends, so I took in some beach time, photo time, dining out time, and no painting time. I HAD no time.

What I did have was an additional perspective of where I live through another’s eyes. Mary of 2FramesperSecond, dedicated to the Canon G7, montage’d the synopsis. ( Pay attention, Cloud lovers…this means you, Jala )

Thought to be milkweed bugs, nevermind that thought. Don calls them love bugs, as  you’ll read in his comment below and I call them push-me pull-yous. As graphically beautiful as African Masks.

Now another PS: this edit in from dear friend Scott who knows everything flora, fauna, and food, what he states is the scientific name:

“The push-me-pull-you insects are “true bugs” – that’s the correct entomological term for them  – “bugs.” They belong to the Hemiptera group of arthropods. They all have piercing-sucking mouthparts. These are found on Malvaceous plants; hibiscus and their kin, especially the beachside Hibiscus tiliacea – the tree with hibiscus-like yellow flowers.” Thanks, Scott. ( love my smart friends )

Water on wood, photographer (me ) on assignment.

Several photographers on assignment, actually. Two friends are photographers for the AP, shooting opposing teams for the World Series. Just made it here by the grace of Game 6, Game over.

A typical scene at the dinner table:

The G7 Summit

Love this group- they never sit around for too long.

Time spent with family…..

Animals triangulated, moment seized by Lobo. Thanks Judy.

Yes, they’re both real. And that Cloud is a Purina contract waiting to happen.

Be looking for some lovely watercolors from this visit by Carolking, who will now be forced to publish them on her blog sooner than she may have wished.

St.Croix This Week – A Magazine Cover

So what if it’s published once every two months and calls itself St. Croix This Week.

Everyone knows time takes its time here.

A week can seem like two months when you’re trying to schedule a phone repair. Or tracking down the last ream of laser printer paper until the ship ” literally ” comes in. But I’ll not pick the nit of ceremony being stood on about it’s title.

It’s a great publication, generously heaped around the island at hotels, shops, offices, public places and our only airport. It’s free, glossy, informative and a favorite of tourists and residents.

Nice exposure, half a page on the inside for a personal blurb and photos of some of my current work. When the November issue comes out, it will have the same inside content but the cover will be the second one I did.

So follow along: this month you’re seeing the one I did for October, at the end of October the one I did for November will be out and at this rate, 2 months = 8 weeks=2 covers.

The theme for this cover was our Sunset Jazz Concerts one Friday of every month. I used gouache and pen and ink. Gouache has the best properties of water color and tempera. Thin or thick. Water-y or opaque. Was great fun and whimsy.

Any busier, and I’d be a…….

They’re busy too.

It’s called How to Conduct Successful Negotiations as a Domesticated House Pet.

I think the pup has more reading to do. The cat has long embraced ennui.