I feel the same way about art, unfortunately such a large part of our budget is used up just getting and being there, I am typically limited to prints (either photographs or watercolors), although I usually buy an outfit for my daughter from Sloop Jones on the East End. Last February, there was a woman selling prints of watercolors done by herself and her daughter at the square across from the ferry dock. They were very pretty and colorful, so thats what we ended up getting. In the past I have bought some beautiful photos and framed them at home. Northern Ohio and I keep trying to make my home into a beach house, not the same without a beach!

There is a wonderful local artist on STT by the name of David Francke. He is well known throughout the U.S. (he used to work at the Smithonian) and he does not charge more than $150 for his original oil paintings. Unfortunately, local establishments buy them from him, hang them up and sell them at a higher price. He usually hangs out at Frenchtown painting the local fishermen scene and/or Hull Bay. I have seen his paintings for sale at Frenchtown deli. He also does prints of his paintings. He is known also to ship the paintings stateside so that you do not have to take it back with you on a plane. He gets the packaging material, box and everything and mails it to you via USPS. Great stuff.

We always buy a nice print from the David Hill gallery in STT and have also purchased some nice photos from a local photographer that has a small place near Coral Bay/Calabash whose names escapes me.

Eric

Try Romano's -- a fine dining restaurant and gallery. Food is excellent as is the art. Tony Romano, the owner, is the chef and artist. My mother has bought 3 pieces of his art. Gorgeous and unique work!

I always look for art when I'm traveling. I started collecting in Haiti in 1972. i am drawn to untrained artists.....people who are expressing themselves visually......without the encumbrance of art school.
sloop

We usually buy one or two prints at AH Riise when on STT. We also buy at least two CDs by local musicians when on STT or STX.

Hello again,
I forgot about asking both VI residents and visitors both about the Carribean restaurants that use local art
in and around their establishments.
It always adds to the total dining experience for me. Same with hotels and villas.
Thanks,

Sloop Jones? THE Sloop Jones?

Well, I'd say to look for items by Sloop. Mom luv, luv, luvs Sloop Jones clothing and art. Sloop, weren't you in Tillett Gardens some moons ago? Mom is proud to wear a Sloop T shirt that she swear she's had for 25 years.

I encourage everyone interested in art to visit the Pissarro gallery in Charlotte Amalie. Read the following article - fascinating.

http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/2000/STYLE/arts/07/17/impressionist.isle.ap/index.html

Interesting article Blu. Will have to find the place on the next trip.

Thank you for your kind words bluwater. We were never in Tillet Gardens, but we sold to a store that was. We have always been out here on the East End of St. John....."10 minutes from Coral Bay and 12 years from Cruz Bay".

Tell you Mom we are celebrating our 20th year and would love to see a photo of her shirt. If she bought it in the early 90's, I'm really curious...so much of what I did then was OOK......One of a kind.
Sloop

Sloop,
Just wondering if you have a web site that shows your wonderful work.
Thank you

Sloop,

Just called mom about her Sloop item and her reply was "which one? I have a bunch". She said she buys them on STT and mostly on Tortola. Apparently, the older one is a dress. If I get a hold of a pic with her wearing it, I'll email to you.

Thanks for all of your beautiful work.....so rich in colors!!

Hi Dreamconch,
Thank you for asking. www.sloopjones.com is our website. And have have just started to post items on etsy.com... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5152442. A great spot to see all sorts of handmade items by hundreds of artists in many mediums.
Sloop

I love Etsy! One of my fave sites ever! I'll take a look at your stuff for sure.

I always buy SOMETHING when on vacation, even if it's not expensive. When we were in STT last year, I got a great painting at Gallery St. Thomas. We were just spending the day walking around, decided to pop in, and this painting caught my eye. It's actually by a Haitian artist though.

I always get a c-mas tree ornament too. Last year I got one from Diane Artware. Love her paintings!

How do you search there? I'm trying to figure out key words. the color interface is an interesting concept.
Sloop

Hi there,
Went to the esty site and read the reporters piece about driving the back roads of St. John to find the Sloop Jones gallery, and how much fun it was to be on an adventure that took them to a part of the island they probably wouldn't have gone to if someone hadn't put the bug in their ear on a ferry ride from STT.
Not only did they eat at Vie's they continued on even when the road was rocky and in some places steep. And, found a wonderful place that inspired them.
And Blu's addition of the CNN article on the gallery on St. Thomas that was so interesting.
The other posters favorite places were great!!
It really fires up my adventurous spirit. There is so much more to the islands than what is obvious to the eye.
Keep it coming!!!

Hi,
Before i settled here on St. John's East End, I traveled 2 or 3 times a year to ther Carib Central and South America. Throughout my house I have items I purchased along the way. Many Paintings, but also items I use everyday as well.
when i sit in my rocking cahir from Costa Rica and sip some Guatamalan coffee i can almost see the volcanos looming over Lake Atitlan in Guatemala......that"s what i love about collecting!
sloop

Two highly regarded galleries on St. Thomas are Gallery St. Thomas and Mango Tango.