Anguilla Island: A Remedy for the Post-Holiday Blues

Aaaah, me! I have been feeling a touch of the blues off and on since the Christmas and New Year's holidays. I am sure the constant snow here in the US Northeast hasn't helped the matter.  Part of my remedy has been to go on early morning web journeys and visit a place I had not been before. A warm tropical location with fruity alcoholic drinks sounded like the refreshment I needed. So I used a variety of keywords in my successive searches to explore the island of Anguilla in the Lesser Antilles island chain in the Caribbean.

My keywords and sub-keyword modifiers included: Anguilla, maps, flag, vintage, art, stamps, spiny lobster, fishing, and boating.I drilled down into the detailed locations on the island to explore the details below.

The Tourist Board is here. Great information on how to get there by boat or air.

A nice flag for a British protectorate.

Internet Fair Use - Flag of Anguilla

I like to start out with maps to gain more specific keywords for places.

A high level map shows where it is in the context of Central America and South America.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla in the Americas

Anguilla is the northernmost island in what is known as the Lower Antilles islands. East of Puerto Rico and north of Saint Martin island. 

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla in the Caribbean Island Chain

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Island Key Locations

A decent map of roads and bays to reconnoiter the island. Each of these locations can be used as keywords to investigate images to gain a sense of the island visit.

 Internet Fair Use - Roads and Bays

If I came in at the airport, I would be able to drive down The Valley through Crocus Hill to Crocus Bay on the Atlantic northern side of the island.

Internet Fair Use - Road Down to Crocus Bay

Here is a panoramic view of Crocus Bay with the Crocus Hill residential area reaching down to the beach.

Internet Fair Use - Crocus Bay on Anguilla Island

Working my way around the island in a clockwise direction, I would visit Little Bay. It appears to be one of the more popular sites.

Internet Fair Use - Little Bay Hilltop View

Internet Fair Use - Little Bay Beachside View

Limestone Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Limestone Bay

Internet Fair Use - Cairns at Limestone Bay

Blackgarden Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Blackgarden Bay

Lower Shoal Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Lower Shoal Bay

Upper Shoal Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Upper Shoal Bay

Captains Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Captain's Bay

And visit the northernmost tip of the island at Snake Point. Then work my way southward on the eastern side of the island towards the Caribbean Sea. 

Junk's Hole Bay. I guess folks can ride boat-towed kites and there are cautionary admonitions as we round this side of the island.

Internet Fair Use - Junk Hole Bay

Savannah Bay.

 Internet Fair Use - Savannah Bay

Sile Bay.

  Internet Fair Use - Sile Bay

Mimi's Bay.  Sea Feather Bay. 

Internet Fair Use - Sea Feather Bay Looking South

A boating derelict at rest.

Internet Fair Use - Sea Feather Bay Derelict at Rest

Sandy Hill Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Sandy Hill Bay

Long Pond Bay. Auntie Dol Bay. Forest Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Forest Bay

Corito Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Corito Bay

Elsie Bay. Looking to St. Martins in the distance.

Internet Fair Use - Elsie Bay

Little Harbor. Lockrum Bay. Roundrock Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Roundrock Bay

Pelican Bay. Blowing Point. Rendezvous Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Sunrise in Rendezvous Bay

Merrywing Bay. Cove Bay. Perfect for kite beginners.

Internet Fair Use - Cove Bay

Maunday's Bay. Shoal Bay West. Sherrick's Bay. Rounding at the southernmost tip of Anguilla Island into West End Bay. With cave and cliffs.

Internet Fair Use -  West End Cave

 Internet Fair Use - West End Cliffs

Barnes Bay, Mead's Bay, and Long Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Long Bay, Mead's Bay, Barne's Bay

Road Bay. With the port of entry for those arriving by boat.

Internet Fair Use - Road Bay

Sandy Island is off the Road Bay.

Internet Fair Use -  Sandy Island Cay

Benzie's Bay. And Katouche Bay.

Internet Fair Use - Katouche Bay

Lots of warm, soothing images. Great beaches of all sorts. A roomy hammock with tropical sea breezes would be nice. Fruity alcoholic drinks beachside. A nap. Or two. Or three.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Hammock

I would take some time to seek out and paint the beach trees. In fact, the photo below makes me think of a previous painting, On the Beach (2011), using the methods of Pisarro, from days gone by.

Internet Fair Use - Painting the Beach Trees.

There might be lots of sea fare suitable for eating and cooking and painting. I would look for local color. A pile of conch shells for inspiration.

Internet Fair Use -  Pile of Conch Shells

Locals catching the spiny lobster.

Internet Fair Use - Serving Up a Spiny Lobster

Getting the lobster on the half shell steamed plate.

Internet Fair Use - Spiny Lobster on the Half Shell

Diving to see the wonders beneath like the spotted eagle ray.

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray

Some of the locals catch them.

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray on Board

And prepare them for the beach grill.

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray Grill Ready

Internet Fair Use - Spotted Eagle Ray for Beach Grill

But there are many other marvels to portray local color. Flora includes the viceroy tree.

 Internet Fair Use - The Viceroy Tree

A Pope Cactus.

 Internet Fair Use - A Pope Cactus

Milkweed.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Milkweed

Beach cactus. 

Internet Fair Use - Beach Cactus

Railroad Vine.

Internet Fair Use - Railroad Vine

Bougainvillia.

Internet Fair Use - Bougainvillia

And Yellow Dodder.

Internet Fair Use - Yellow Dodder

I suppose there are some touristy things to do. That with the right pictures could be artistic endeavors and creative pursuits. Like boating.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Boats

Looking for unique perspectives.

Internet Fair Use - Unique Perspectives

Watching the locals. For motifs worthy of painting.

Internet Fair Use - Motifs Worthy of Painting

Watch the August summer festival with the Parade of Troupes.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Parade of Troupes in August Summer Festival

Snorkeling.

Internet Fair Use - Snorkeling Equipment

Sightseeing. For suitable motifs to tell a story. Or depict an historical moment.

Internet Fair Use - Seeking Suitable Painting Motifs

Seeking sun and better tan lines.

Internet Fair Use - Seeking Peaceful Sun Worship

Avoiding tropical rain showers.

Internet Fair Use - Avoiding Tropical Showers

Sailing model vessels.

Internet Fair Use - Model Sailing

Painting unique structures.

Internet Fair Use - Painting Motifs

Eating at local grills. Listening to reggae music. 

Internet Fair Use - Reggae Grills

 Dozing off in a floatie with a cool drink.

Internet Fair Use - Relaxing on a Floatie

Watching the world go by. Slowly.

Internet Fair Use - Watching the World Go By

Watching the tide come in. And go out. Again and again.

Internet Fair Use - Tidal Interface

Seek out local artists and galleries.

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Art

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Artist Denotes Dominos as a Pastime

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Artist Denotes Dominos as a Pastime

Identify examples of local architecture. 

Internet Fair Use - Churches as Local Architecture

Internet Fair Use - Beach Villas as Local Architecture

Walk the beach to find shells or stones.

Internet Fair Use - Shells and Stones on the Beach

Internet Fair Use - Peach Boat Under a Tamarind Tree

Internet Fair Use - Day is Done Lights at Eveningside

And lastly, I guess Anguilla island rum punches should have a pinch of nutmeg and amaretto. Can I beat the winter blues with an Internet collage of images and a stream of consciousness? By closing my eyes? And adding a touch of nutmeg and amaretto to my tropical rum punch? I hope so.

Since my favorite drink has been a rum punch aka a "Summer Fling", I will modify my core recipe a tad with the recommended nutmeg and amaretto as my remedy for the mid-winter blues to salute Anguilla Island!

Internet Fair Use - Anguilla Island Rum Punch

Anguilla Island Summer Fling

2 oz cranberry juice

2 oz pineapple juice

2 oz Bacardi Grand Melon rum

1 oz triple sec
1 - 4 maraschino cherries, with juice, to taste
Splash of black cherry juice (optional)
1 oz coconut rum (optional)
1 oz banana rum(optional)

1 oz amaretto

2 pinches of nutmeg
Serve over ice.

Oh, joy! Makes me want to paint the beaches and the people fantastic!

Note: Thanks to all the sites and folks that contributed images to this collation for my mid-winter escape. Credit is attributed, when possible. I am much better now, thank you. And I can visit the trip again!

Snow Fence: Morning Shadows

A sunny morning has broken after the latest storm that dropped another 10 inches or so. Fortunately, it has been mostly dry and fluffy out of the Northeast thus far. We are supposed to have another storm Tuesday but it potentially is wet and heavier snow coming from the Southwest. That will be an oh-oh on top of this accumulation.

Got a nice sunrise picture with shadows across the snow that depict the snow accumulation against the upper rail of the picket fence.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 Snow Accumulation Against the Fence

New England Winter: Snow Drifts

With tongue-in-cheek, we snap a picture of the New England snowdrifts under management this year.

Copyright James E. Martin 2015 New England Snowdrifts

Record snowfall in the top ten seasonal accumulation.

New England Winter: Foraging Between Storms

Prior to the New Year, our New England area had a mild winter season. As January and February have rolled in, we have been hit with a few snowstorms one right after the other with some unusual snow accumulation. I recall telling myself numerous times before the holidays that I wasn't ready for winter. Now that it is here in full force, I am accommodating somewhat to its vigor.

Between storms, I had an opportunity to catch up with a foraging turkey flock in our local industrial park. They are frequent visitors to the area but on this day, I rolled up closer and took a few pics. Quiet. Solemn. Peaceful. Vigilant and watchful gazes. Doing what must be done on a daily basis. Scratching through the snow to get to the leaf litter with sustaining seeds and acorns beneath the cold surface.

 Copyright James E. Martin 2014 Turkeys Foraging Between Storms

It is not unlike foraging for employment between jobs.

A Bricoleur: The Mind of the Tinker

Oh-oh. I just found a new word. It's  nice to learn something new everyday. "Bricolage". I think it's a fancy, french word for "hoarder" or "do-it-yourselfer (DIY)". So I researched it out. Low Brow Art and High Brow Craft?

Internet Fair Use - Bricolage

bri·co·lage /brēkōˈläZH,ˌbrikə-/ noun
: something constructed or created from a diverse range of available things.
: origin : French "to tinker, to do odd jobs"

This hits close to home. That would make me a "bricoleur". Sounds better than "hoarder". New TV shows looking for a sensational perspective have iconized the hoarding concept. I am potentially a social pariah. Could there be a mental illness lurking in my near future? See my house over there....some poor "white trash" must live there. My eight-year-old, Itsy Bit, is a little more brazen..."Hey Dad, can you clean up this mess over here? It looks better when it's organized." As they say, out of the mouths of babes...there is much innocence and straightforward wisdom.

Maybe I can even make up my own word around this....I make things in my garage-workshop-gallery-studio, the "bricolagerie". Oh, no, no no. I found this later upon investigation...."L'atelier du bricoleur". Oh, yes, yes, that's much better.

Favorite activity on Saturdays....yard sales.  Favorite activity on Sundays....dumpster diving. The best dumpsters. I know where they are. I am so good at it that I can't even disclose my superfund, superfind sites. That's like a proprietary, trade secret.  Favorite recurring retirement dream...drive around with a pickup truck, roam the city sidewalks and alleys for stuff, and make "found item art" in my garage-workshop-gallery-studio. Free. Perhaps I am a bum and hobo at heart.

The first step in any twelve-step recovery process is acknowledging that I have a problem. There is even a spiritual admonishment for this weakness of which I am aware:

The Parable of the Rich Fool 

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

So if I am to make sense of my predeliction in an artistic sense.....

Q: What makes bricolage fine art?
A: Using formal elements of art-making and the intention of making the work.

Q: What is the approach and methodology for bricolage?
A: A seven-step outline as follows:

1. Examine contents
2. Investigate alternative ways materials could be used and/or transformed
3. Edit: Review, reject, select, rearrange
4. Prototype: Layout a provisional composition
5. Plan construction sequence: Decide the order and manner in which the elements should be assembled
6. Execute plan: you can improvise and change as you go.
7. Decide/ Learn when to stop

Q: What are some of the artistic organizing principles to be used in bricolage by the bricoleur?

A: Many of the basic principles of art including but not limited to:

• Line: Weight, direction, shape, type 
• Shape: Geometric areas defined 
• Color: Hue and intensity
• Texture: Surface qualities, tactile feel, illusion, shadow, depth
• Form and Volume: Three dimensional modeling
• Value: Shading, dark and light, chiascuro effect
• Space: Positive, negative, closed, open, illusions
• Contrast: Juxtaposition of values, colors, shapes 
• Pattern: Rhythm and repetition
• Simplification: Removing elements to their most essential minimal basic 
• Geometry and symmetry 
• Perspective
• Emphasis or focus 
• Harmony 
• Unity 
• Opposition 
• Balance 
• Variety 
• Depth 
• Meaning 
• Travel: The direction the eye takes or is led through the work

There is then a range of results that can be attained. Using some of the principles outlined above? Are these just collages of items? Or purposeful assemblies with meaning and intent? What does this tell us about each of the artists? How might each of these change or shape our view of the world? Is there enjoyment and satisfaction to be had by the artist? By the viewer? Where do each of these rest on a continuum? Is this collage, craft, art, or fine art? How would the reader rate each of these? Art? Not art?

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Aaaaah, me.