This past year I've been so busy with the new gallery (going great!)and now the return of Bob's cancer, I haven't posted in ages, but will try, at least post a few new paintings. Here's some from some plein air events this spring. Breakfast at Sarabeth's was from the Studios of Key West Quick Art Draw Art Crawl, won honorable mention and Tennessee Williams House was for the Tennessee Williams 100th Birthday Celebration Plein Air Contest, won second place.

Gazebo at the Garden Club

Frangipani Gallery

I've been busy for a good reason. I will be opening a new gallery, Frangipani Gallery in November. I purchased the space at 1102A Duval, right next to SoDu Gallery, in the heart of the South Duval arts district. Renovations are taking place now - there's nothing like fresh paint!

New Year, New Paintings

January is here again and it's time for my annual show of new paintings. Please join me at SoDu Gallery Saturday January 30 6-9 pm for an evening of food, friends and fun. Here are my favorites from the show.
"I've Got Your Back," the painting of two pearly nautilus shells was inspired by the two shells I bought several years ago while shopping with my friend Katherine in Virginia Highlands, Atlanta. I said I would paint them one day and I did this summer. Done in one long(and painful) sitting, the paint was flowing just right as the layers of the shells grew and grew.
"Callas" is a bit shell like in form. I loved the colors of turquoise fading into creamy yellow.

Bad Girl

The tree is up and the lights are on and a very naughty kitty has gotten into the ornaments, but at least she hasn't spilled the wine... yet! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Fantasy Fest

Fantasy Fest is just around the corner. Who will you be?

SoDu Gallery

I just added the SoDu Gallery Facebook feed, so now you can check out gallery events right here on my blog. If you enjoy Facebook, find SoDu Gallery and Fran Decker and become a fan.

Fall Paintings

Even in Key West, you can feel the change in the air.

Studio Sale

Summer is slow in Key West, so I've decided to put a Studio Sale page on my website, www.frandecker.com. Here's a great opportunity to get an oldie but goodie original painting for a great price. Most of these are on display at the Sugarloaf Logde, MM 17 in the Keys. Enjoy!

Lovely, Lazy Summer

My summer means diving in clear cool water, waterspouts and thunderstorms, cats napping by the window, dinner out in air conditioned places, biking on the shady side of the street under poinciana trees aflame, crossing through the cemetary on the way to the gym to remind myself of why I go in the first place, rescuing a moth from the pool only to see it gobbled up by a gecko, ripe mangoes, papayas, bananas, sunset drinks on the boat and of course, painting.

Summer Daze

The excitement of opening the new gallery is over and we are settled into our lovely new spot and things are sloww... as they usually are in summer around here.
That means time to catch up on projects and paintings and I have been busy as ever, doing just that. I just finished painting the adorable Seascape Inn, a cute bed and breakfast owned by my friends Marcia and Dave... and managed by the greeting committee of Blackie, Charlotte and Tubby Fred.

SoDu Grand Opening

Oh, what a night! Thank you for your love and support!

Celebration

We will celebrate on May 9, featuring the exhibit "From A Woman's Hand." This juried and judged (by Jerry Cash) show showcases the art of 60 very talented women from the Florida Keys. Prizes will be awarded in 5 categories: oil and acrylic, watercolor, photography, mixed media and fine craft. Sales will benefit Womankind, providers of healthcare to uninsured women in the Keys. There will be a champagne and chocolate reception from 6-9 pm, along with music and some surprise guests. SoDu Gallery, 1102 Duval St, Key West. Come on by!

One More Week

A week to go. Like all good projects, we are behind schedule and over budget, but somehow things will get done, done enough for our grand reopening next Saturday.
Here, Mike is in a tight spot, wood rot gets addressed, Judi and Les are painting SoDu furniture, Bob and Doug take down the old sign, then we celebrate with a glass of wine across the street at Grand Vin, where we can admire our gallery from the porch.

Patching and painting

More new stuff for NuSoDu

We love Doug's "coffins" - neato drawers that slide inder the window platform.
Meanwhile the front room is painted, a lovely understated ostrich with white trim. The back room is just waiting for the ac guys to finish the ducts and the way back room is getting mudded today.

What's underfoot at the new space

The gallery gets a beautiful new tile floor.

Barry and Doug lay out the tile.

The finished floor.

Cool Stuff

Yes, NuSoDu is finally getting the brand new AC installed. This project had a scary start. The building inspector incorrectly identified which unit amongst 10 was ours and we nearly ripped out someone else's compressor. Then the AC at home went out, both of them, so the guys were at our house for two weeks. Now Barry, Doug and Mike will have a real cool place to work!

Prime before the Flood

NuSoDu was all primed and ready for a coat of paint, then an Easter disaster occurred. An overflowing toilet from the unit above wrecked the ceiling in the middle room. At least we hadn't painted it yet. I'm learning a lot about owning a condo, for sure!

A few more "before" photos of NuSoDu