A Cruz Bay Welcome

Giclee of the original oil pastel


With your first steps on St. John’s Ferry dock, you have stepped from reality into history and paradise. Often called “The American Paradise”, the island abounds with breathtaking tropical scenery, warm breezes, fun in the sun, sand and sea, as well as reminders of a life style on Caribbean plantations long since gone.

Cruz Bay is a quirky little island town that will charm you and surprise you with every visit. It will delight you with tropical drinks, dinners and an interesting mix of island resident and regulars. Cruz Bay is never too quiet and no longer “sleepy”.

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This is St. John

Giclee of the original oil pastel


In a montage of images from the Virgin Island Series in oil pastel, these scenes of St. John include:
Francis Bay, Gibney Beach in Hawksnest Bay, the Cruz Bay ferry dock, Caneel Bay, coconut palms of Honeymoon Beach, Trunk Bay, remnants of St. John’s plantation heritage on the road to Coral Bay, Caribbean cottages overlooking Hart Bay, teal waters of Maho Bay and the beach at Hawksnest.

On St John, there is a beach for every mood and this montage represents a good many of them. If you have had the opportunity to be a solitary occupant standing along for any length of time on any one of them, you have experienced a magical moment.

This giclee is available in mat size of 11×14 and larger.

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Over the Coral Wall - St. John

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Quintessential St.John includes a view of the teal waters of Trunk Bay edged by lush green foliage and sugary white sand. Trunk Bay from this vantage point could be one of the most incredible views on the planet.

The roads on St John can be treacherous, and are windy and steep. Speed limit on the island might be 25 if you can get it going THAT fast. Roads have typical Caribbean made walls fashioned of rock, coral and shell. Those low walls serve their purpose, but they also add charm and beauty to the already incredibly inspirational views.

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Virgin Islands Wedding - Hawksnest, St. John

Giclee of the original oil pastel


It is said that early in the morning, bougainvillea boughs seen lying quietly on the pure white sand of Hawksnest Beach, usually means there was a wedding at that very sight, the evening before. The bride at her sunset wedding probably walked though an aisle-way of pink petals, and stood with her groom at water’s edge, saying their vows.

Hawksnest Beach is special enough without the thought of such a meaningful moment taking place there. Wedding or not, the setting is unparalleled in beauty, and the feeling of being there is unforgettable, especially if you have ever wiggled your toes in that soft sugary sand.

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Real Teal at Maho

Giclee of the original oil pastel


From one of the many overlooks on the north shore road on St John, it is easy to see the myriad of teal blue colors in the waters of tiny Maho Bay. Looking closer, you can see a charming old building on the beach, peaking out of the palms. The building on the water has sat empty but enjoyed for decades. It always makes a lot of us wonder what it might have been like to live right on the beach, back in its heyday.

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Caneel Bay Overlook and Jost

Giclee of the original oil pastel


From the picturesque overlooks on the north shore road, it is easy to see the proximity of the many bays, islands and inlets that are a part of the Virgin Islands. Here the view encompasses lovely Caneel Bay on St John all the way to the kitschy and unique island of Jost Van Dyke, in the BVIs.

This view easily explains the position Caneel Bay plays in being a beautiful and important destination spot for St. John visitors. Caneel Bay’s seven beaches and beautiful grounds stretch out before us in this view from the Caneel Bay Overlook.

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Morning light - Hawksnest at Gibney Beach

Giclee of the original oil pastel


In Hawksnest Bay, there is a quiet and small stretch of beautiful sand beach, directly in front of the historic Gibney family farm.  Early in the morning hours, the shadows from foliage and palms paint beautiful dark and light patterns on the pure white sand and shallow water below. A popular location with locals, this somewhat solitary beach is a hidden gem and special at ANY time of the day.

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Under the Sea Grapes, Caneel

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Memories have been made by many a Caneel visitor, while enjoying their day on the beach and in the shade of those old sea grape trees at waters’ edge.

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Trunk and Beyond

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Positioned on the north shore of St. John, in the US Virgin Islands, low mountains created by prehistoric volcanic action eons ago, plunge into crystal clear tropical waters. Where land and sea meet, we find some of the most famous and majestic beaches on earth. Trunk Bay on St. John, is surely one of them.

This is such a quintessential image of St John that I hardly think anything more needs to be said.

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Caribbean Cottage - Hart Bay, St John

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Vintage and traditional Caribbean architecture is enjoyed all over the island. One such home overlooking Hart Bay enchanted me and while sitting in the sand, capturing it in oil pastel, made me more aware of the charm of Caribbean colors and design – Why not punctuate the scene with a coral pink Caribbean sky?!

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Pink Petals at Hawksnest — St. John

Giclee of the original Oil Pastel


Two oil pastels were created at different times, to celebrate the fact that weddings are frequenly held on Hawksnest Beach – St. John. Pink Petals at Hawksnest is one of the two pieces.

Hawksnest Beach is special enough without the thought of such a meaningful moment taking place there. Wedding or not, the setting is unparalleled in beauty, and the feeling of being there is unforgettable, especially if you have ever wiggled your toes in that soft and sugary sand while the warm light of late afternoon sun warms and envelopes the scene.

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Francis, Maho and Cinnamon Sand

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Beyond Cinnamon Bay are several more remote white sand beaches, popular with locals and boaters – and turtles. Francis, Maho and Cinnamon Bays are profuse with white sand beaches and clear shallow water for swimming and abundant sky for studying clouds.

This giclee is a vertical detail of the oil pastel piece, Cinnamon, Maho and Pink Bordeaux.

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Little Island Off Trunk

Giclee of the original oil pastel


This giclee is a horizontal detail of the work, Trunk and Beyond.

It pays homage to the little island that is in the bay off the sandy tip of the beach at Trunk Bay. Many a swimmer and snorkeler have made the island their goal on one of their swims. It’s not a difficult feat and the under water views around the island are worth being placed on everybody’s life-list.

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Fun Day at Francis

Giclee of the original oil pastel


My favorite view of Francis Bay is not always the one looking out toward the beautiful open waters of the Caribbean. And, that’s not what you see here.

Rather I enjoy studying the landscape and mountains that surround the bay on all three sides, watching cloud patterns that try to float over the little mountains without dumping a load of rain as they pass, and snooping at the beach action and families playing together in the shallow surf. It’s not very difficult to have a Fun Day at Francis.

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Island Heritage

Giclee of the original oil pastel


This has been a favorite St. John image for me.

Between the ruins of Annaberg plantation and Maho Bay, in the dense tropical forest, stands a small, old-island brick and mortar structure, directly on the roadside. I know what it is, but I often laugh at the thought of it looking like a 20th century bus stop in the middle of nowhere.

Regardless, island artistry and craftsmanship are studied and appreciated when seeing this little lost gem. Doing an art piece of it was my way of honoring its heritage.

This giclee is best, printed and matted to 8×10.

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Cinnamon, Maho and Pink Bordeaux

Giclee of the original oil pastel


The tallest peak on St. John is Bordeaux Mountain, elevation 1250, and appears in backgrounds of many a vista of St. John, including this one. Looking upon the lush deep green mountainsides surrounding Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay, it seemed so right to highlight Bordeaux Peak in a color that speaks to its namesake and to help it maintain importance rather than serve as lowly backdrop. ~ Cheers, to the beauty and color of a good Bordeaux.

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Come to Colorful Coral Bay

Giclee of the original oil pastel


On the far eastern tip of St John is the tiny quirky community of Coral Bay. It’s a colorful little mix of residents, restaurants, a few villas and teal blue-green anchorages. Spending time there changes your attitude, heightens your senses, and slows the pace of life just a bit.

Once a main port of activity on the island, attention drifted from Coral Bay to Cruz Bay in the early 1900’s. Visitors then redirected their attentions to the western shores, leaving this part of the island quietly alone. There are many who believe Coral Bay benefits from all those years of anonymity.

Consequently Coral Bay now enjoys a quieter, more natural virgin island atmosphere, while it caters to a delightful mix of crazy sailors, hippies in hiding, fun loving residents who came for a visit, loved the life style and decided they had to stay. It’s not an unusual story.

I challenge you to Come To Colorful Coral Bay and not go home a different person.

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Sitting in the Sand at Francis

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Sundays at Francis Bay seem to be a special spot for locals, families and friends. No matter what the day, everyone seems to enjoy the simple act of chatting, eating, drinking, relaxing while Sitting in the Sand at Francis.

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Glitters at Honeymoon - St John

Original Oil Pastel
Framed, matted 13×16
300.
Contact Best of Both Worlds Gallery, Mongoose Junction, St. John
340.693.7005

Giclee of the original oil pastel available


I have a couple favorite beaches on the island of St. John. Honeymoon Beach hits the top of the charts in my book, especially if I can be the solitary soul enjoying it. Not the easiest beach to get to, there are times after about 4 in the afternoon when day cruisers have left on their boats, and most beach people pull up stakes and begin their hike back to Caneel Bay for dinner … it is at that moment, later in the day when nobody is left in the sand, that the magic begins.

Glitters will begin to dance on the surface of the water. Preparations for a Caribbean sunset will be underway. And, if you can snag those private box seats for sunset at Honeymoon Beach, you will agree that the experience should be titled “The Greatest Show on Earth”.

This original work is currently represented by Best of Both Worlds Gallery, St John. As it states below, you may also contact the artist.

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St. John Artistry

Original Oil Pastel on Paper, 10×13  and offered in giclee
St. John Artistry

ORIGINAL,  available from artist


This scene is not of the classic teal blue green waters of the Caribbean but instead honors the fine artistry of hard working hands of the island men who fashion walls in the old island tradition. The walls all over St. John are an amalgamation of naturally occurring stone, coral, reclaimed brick and shells, laid in decorative fashion.

There are some who say they know who made the wall, simply by studying the character and look of the elements inherent in the stone-work.

 

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Sundown, Pillsbury Sound - From St. John to St. Thomas

Giclee of the original oil pastel


A few compelling little islands share Pillsbury Sound with their two bigger brothers. Those islands of Little St. James and Great St. James enhance the view from St. John towards St. Thomas. We frequently make a great game of wondering where on those islands the sun will touch at sunset.

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You Comin or Goin, Mon?

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Anyone who visits St. John usually does so by being shuttled there on a ferry boat, lumbering its way to Cruz Bay, the funky little town on the west end of the tiny island. The scene of bustling activity on the dock, when one of the noisy old boats either comes IN or moves OUT, is repeated several times an hour every day of the year.

Sitting on the shore watching for an arriving friend or waiting to depart the magical island, is either a joyous event or one of sadness – all depending upon whether you are Comin’ or Goin’, Mon?

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Evening Ferry to Red Hook

Giclee of the original oil pastel


Ferry boats lumber back and forth between St. John and St. Thomas every day and night of the Virgin Islands year.

But in late afternoon, the sight of ferry boats crossing Pillsbury Sound to Red Hook sometimes makes me sad … As the last rays of the day illuminate the silhouette of St. Thomas, I am reminded that those chunky, sturdy boats are ferrying the last day visitors and workers back to “real life”. I imagine those riders taking time to recall the fun times they experienced and are saying with a touch of a nostalgia “Good bye, St. John. I will return again, soon”.

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Hangin at the Beach Bar

Oil Pastel
Framed 17×14
Private collection
Giclee available


This happy sketchy piece depicts friends enjoying the sights and activity under the welcoming and distinctive yellow awning of the Beach Bar. The cozy, open air meeting place at waters edge, is only a few steps away from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay, and is a big draw for fun loving people from all over the world. Sooner or later they find the fun and camaraderie exchanged while Hangin’ at The Beach Bar.

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