Sheets of ice rose and fell with the tide on the bay outside the glass porch windows of Julie Baxendell’s Prime Hook Beach studio. The wind howled. The eaves moaned. Baxendell, unperturbed, painted happily onward, her mind seeing only the warmth and allure of Key West.

Her latest show, Key West Reflections, is a playful tropical vacation, painted with fond memories of strolling along Duval Street, watching tourists watching sunsets on the square, trying Key Lime pie at different restaurants all over town. The show includes a variety of subjects: Silver Man taking a break on Mallory Square, an afternoon at the pier at Atlantic Shores, a quiet moment under the shade of the palms on Higgs Beach, sun-drenched bougainvillea peering over fences and hanging from balconies of the stately old buildings.

"I love the openness of Key West, the fun atmosphere," Baxendell says. "I wanted to capture the quality of light and brightness—the sky and water, the pastel buildings, the picket fences, the flowers—but most of all, the charm of the Old South combined with the diversity of people. Like Rehoboth Beach, the people of Key West strive to treat all people with respect and dignity, as one human family, embracing the colorful characters that comprise the community."

Baxendell is the recipient of a 2003 Residency Fellowship from the Mid Atlantic Arts

Foundation and a 2002 Fellowship Grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Baxendell is a long time member of the Rehoboth Art League, an active member of The Artists’ Exchange, and a founding member of the Delaware Watercolor Society. She has been in numerous local shows, and is represented by Peninsula Gallery in Lewes.

The Key West Reflections opening reception will be held at the Blue Moon on Saturday, April 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. The show will hang throughout April.

Recent Works by Butt and Fleming at Cloud 9

Collaborative works, done by artists Ronald Butt and Liza Fleming, will be featured at an opening at Cloud 9 restaurant on Saturday March 12 from 3-5 p.m. Three years ago the artists chose mermaids and mermen as their exclusive subject matter, and they have continued to explore that subject ever since. Each year they have approached their theme differently by setting goals aimed at incorporating both artists’ separate concepts and contrasting styles.

What began as an experiment to help each other out of non-productive ruts has turned into a unique approach to painting and a celebration of productivity. The artists invite you to come and view their work and share in the excitement they have experienced over the past three years.

Cloud 9 Restaurant is located at 234 Rehoboth Avenue. For more information, call 302-226-1999. Ronald and Liza’s paintings will be on display until May 21.