Ronny Bailey - Key West Folk Art - Peter's Fish Market and Gas Station

If you are in Key West this coming weekend, you are invited to attend the 31st Annual Key West Craft Show being held January 30 - 31, 2016 between 10 AM - 5 PM on Whitehead Street between Eaton and Caroline Streets. Admission is Free. Among the featured artists is Ronny Bailey, Key West Folk Artist.  I have written about Ronny on several precious occasions. He is a Conch by birth, a contractor by trade, a Christian by choice, and an artist by inspiration. Ronny retired from his trade several years ago and began to tinker with old Dade County Pine he had saved from various jobs. After his wife Stephanie saw his first creation, she remarked "I didn't know you could do that!" to which he replied "Neither did I". Thus began his career as a folk artist. He has created numerous miniature cottages that portray the Key West architecture of yore. He used specific homes as his historic reference. Some of the homes no longer exist, and some that do exist have been gentrified and no longer look as bedraggled as before. Later he tackled commercial enterprises. Two of his most recent pieces, both of which are commercial enterprises, and shown in today's blog,  will be on display this weekend at the craft show.

The top black and white photo above shows Peter's Fish Market which is the subject of one of the new pieces. Peter's Fish Market which dominated the Key West fish scene for many years was located on Front Street on the waterfront. If you look to the right you will see an artist painting the building even then. The building was the inspiration decades later when Ronny Bailey decided to create a miniature version. Peter Roberts (the gent in the straw hat above looking down at the catch of the day) was the proprietor. The Coca Cola sign above the loading platform is original to the site. Ronny added a bit of whimsy when he added the red delivery truck.In fact all of Ronny's creations are dotted with whimsy. You'll note the perched pelican atop the Fish Market sign, the bucket of fish on the loading platform, and the idle "worker" standing around with his hand in his pants inside the market. In his book Grits & Grunts: Folkloric Key West Stetson Kennedy wrote "In 1940, the Key West waterfront, like the street fronts, was looking beat-up, unpainted, and picturesque". Today the old waterfront has been replaced by high priced hotels, restaurants, and t-shirt shops. Some call it progress.

I knew from past conversations with Ronny that he used salvaged Dade County Pine to create the majority of his projects. I questioned him how he created the details in this installation. He said he used his table saw to slice the Dade County Pine into small sheets and used the saw to create individual boards, timbers, and other wood pieces. He hand carved the male worker figure. He fashioned the metal roof from old metal. He painted and repainted the roof to create the patina.  He told me he always wanted to build a truck and he got the opportunity here. He bent old metal to create the truck's body. He carved the wheels out of wood.

You can "click"any photo to enlarge the image. You might want to click the image two above to see the cost of turtle steak back in the day. And if you click the image immediately above you will see the word "PEACE" on the rear bumper. Elsewhere you will see LOVE and JOY. These are the three watchwords of this gentle artisan. CLICK HERE to view more photos of Peter's Fish Market.

If you look closely at the red gas pumps you will see the Biblical reference to JOY and LOVE.  Ronny bent metal to create the pumps. Then he applied layer upon layer of various colors of paint to create the weathered and rusted surface. The old light bulb in the last image is actually wood that was repeatedly dipped into a white enamel paint which created the effect of the light bulb. The weathered floor boars and siding are the natural patina of old Dade County Pine which Ronny planed and sliced to perfection. Ronny confided that other carpenters have told him that he inspired them to create similar pieces. They became so frustrated in the detail work necessary to achieve similar perfection  that they smashed their pieces to smithereens. CLICK HERE to see more photos of the gas station.

I encourage locals and visitors to check out Ronny Bailey's stand this weekend. And if you really appreciate his work, to buy an original piece. He also has more affordable prints that you can take home. They will be a continuous reminder of how special Key West is. Like our old houses, these pieces of art will only go up in value. 

1022 Flagler Avenue, Key West - Potential Casa Marina Renovation Project

1022 Flagler Avenue was just listed by Preferred Properties Key West. This home was originally built in 1958. Today we describe the architectural style as mid-century modern. I dug into my old shoe box and found the photo below which shows the home as it appeared in 1965. Just below the old photo is a new photo that shows how the house and yard look today. The carport has been updated. The yard has more palm trees and tropical foliage and the grass has been replaced with bricks. Not much has changed. The house is super clean and very well cared for. Nothing is broken and the house does not need to be renovated. But unlike houses in the Old Town area where houses cannot be torn down and a new replacement built, this property could be razed or substantially renovated. Will the new owner elect to keep things the way they are or will it be time for change?

Whatever existed in the original backyard has been replaced with a large and sunny pool and deck area. (These photos were taken on a cloudy day, however.) If you have looked at houses in the Old Town area you probably already know that many of those properties have small pools with limited sunshine and possibly neighbors who can look down into the pool area. This is not the case with this property. None of the neighboring homes have views into the pool area and existing trees do not block the sun on this pool or deck. 

As was the case for many mid-century homes, you enter directly into the living room once you pass the threshold. These were simple homes. This home is divided into three sections. The living and dining area are on the right side of the home. The kitchen and laundry room/pantry are located directly behind the living area to the right. The two bedrooms and one bathroom are located on the left side.

The master bedroom is located at the left rear of the home. Two sets of French doors open out to the pool and garden area. The guest bedroom is located at the front with the intervening bathroom providing privacy between the bedroom spaces. Unlike a lot of mid-century homes, these bedrooms are fairly large and provide more than just space for a bed and dresser. Notice also the beautiful Cuban tiles continue into both bedrooms. CLICK HERE to view more photos I took of this property.

The three block section from White Street to Reynolds Street has some very beautiful and quite expensive homes. Johnson Street is located one block to the south and Casa Marina Court one block further. So while 1022 Flagler Avenue may not need to be renovated, this property might significantly appreciate in value if it were (even if the renovation were done years from now).  A recent example of a renovation (not tear down and build new) was the mid-century house at 904 Flagler Avenue pictured below. I added a photo of the renovated home which looks nothing like the original house which exists somewhere inside the re-make. 

1022 Flagler Avenue is located one block east of the Casa Marina Resort. Higg's Beach and Rest Beach are located two blocks to the south. Up there you will find a segregated dog park to keep puppies from beating up the big dogs, public tennis courts, our new children's playground, Salute on the Beach Restaurant, the White Street Pier, and lots of sand for sunning.  Some people buy memberships at the Casa Marina Club so they can use the fitness center, the private beach, and spa facilities.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet and listing photos. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing of this lovely home. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West. Let me help you find  your place in Paradise.

1719 Ashby, Key West - Just Listed

Just listed by Preferred Properties Key West, that's where I work but this is not my listing, 1719 Ashby Street which is located near the beaches in Key West, Florida. This ranch style two bedroom (three bath) home has 1332 sq ft of living space, a lush tropical garden, and a pool which is offered at $759,000.

The listing agent describes the property this way:

"Located one block from the Ocean and 5 minutes from downtown Key West. Tropical foliage reveals a true Oasis on one level. Open living/dining opens to a chefs dream kitchen with stainless appliances. Split floor plan with the Master bedroom en suite opening to the lanai and large pool, allowing privacy from your guests. Second bedroom can also be a master consist of a large walk-in closet and laundry room. Great home for outdoor entertaining with a full bath and wet bar off the pool. Off Street parking for one car."

Like many of the homes in this part of Key West, the large lot (51' x 90') is surrounded by a decorative privacy fence.  The fence is obscured in the pool area by tall palm trees and tropical foliage. The pool itself is sunny throughout most of the day.When you your guests feel like some beach action, you'll only need to walk a few blocks to Smathers' Beach where there is almost always something fun going on.

Among the advantages of living in Key West is the ability to go to the beach even if only to walk the dog or get in your morning walk, jog, or bike ride. It's amazing how many people are up at the crack of sunrise to begin their day by the beach or who end the day there. Conversely, some are fortunate enough to walk out to the pool to take a morning or late night dip.

CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls datasheet on 1719 Ashby Street which is offered for sale at $759,000. Then please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642, to schedule a private showing. I am a buyers agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Key West.