It’s been a really busy week. At the festival last weekend, I picked a couple of commissions and some gallery interest to exhibit my work….and a few other art gigs as well.
I had a great time at the Festival. We made some money and talked to many, many folks who came by to peruse my artwork.
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| The shelter and the display of my artwork at the festival. |
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| This is Allen - a wonderful artist and a good friend to everyone! |
Here is a friend of mine, artist Allen Fireall working away at his table. Allen specializes in African-American and Gullah themes. He grew up in Savannah and has some great tales about life in Georgia’s first city.
The best parts of the weekend were the stories folks told me about old Tybee Island based on my paintings.
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| This painting sparked a Tybee Island history lesson. |
One in particular was the painting of the BBQ at the Alley.
Turns out…a fellow, Joe, drops by and informs me that his sister, Beth, owns the backyard and that he uses the BBQ for cookouts and parties.
The next day he brings Beth by and we have this wonderful chat about the painting.
A few days after the Festival I stopped by her place and she gave me the history of her house and a tour of the yard. The elevation of her yard approximately 10 feet high with an area of about 3,000 sq. feet was created from the remains of oyster shells that were discarded. Two local African-American men would row out in a boat at night and harvest the oysters from the creek and then process the shells in a small room on the property. One of them worked well into his 90’s.
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| Here is another view - a photo angle toward the Creek |
The house was transported to the present location by barge in 1870 and the house was expanded through the years. A porch was built and then enclosed and another porch was built and it enclosed – this method of expansion was embraced until the house had 5 or 6 bedrooms and bathrooms.
The house had been in her family since 1880. It also turns out that the creek side of the house was deeded with a King’s land grant which dates back to the establishment of the colony by General James Ogelthrope in 1733. Because the King was interested in increasing the land mass colonials were encouraged to add to their property. (Note- Georgia was seen as a buffer state between Florida claimed by the Spanish and the Carolinas claimed by the Brits) .So the deed of the property includes all the land on the beach too- right down to the waterline which varies with the tides.
Lastly, here is me on location- while doing a commission. I could not resist a snapshot of these large Christmas ornaments hanging from a palm.
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| Yes, this palm has….. christmas balls. |
What can I say – that’s Tybee Island!
