The Studios of Key West to Exhibit New Series of Oil Paintings Based on Our More Industrial Neighbor
Letty Nowak, now based in a large and bright space at The Studios of Key West, has turned her attention from local faces to the industrial minutiae, familiar landscapes, and distinct architectural features of Stock Island. Her upcoming exhibition, which opens with a reception at the Armory on Friday, May 30, explores new ground both literally and metaphorically.
“The Keys have few painters as prolific and industrious as Letty,” said Eric Holowacz, director of The Studios, and a fan of the artist’s remarkable ability to capture the essence of her subjects. “And it is wonderful that her recent paintings reveal the nature and uniqueness of our neighboring island.”
It has been three years since Nowak completed her monumental Faces of Key West, a series of portraits that numbers in the hundreds. Stock Island, which is on view at the Armory through June 19, is the artist’s first solo exhibition since 2006.
“This is a show I have been working towards for years,” says Nowak. “In my new studio upstairs at the Armory, I now have the time to refine and finish this exhibition. Years back, before the Faces of Key West, I did little architectural studies of simple or industrial buildings. I discovered an entire island less than a mile north of us, full of interesting features. Stock Island, diverse and visually striking, is the perfect subject for me to return to at this point in my career.”
Some would say these paintings are also about change and transformation. The exhibition certainly represents change for Nowak’s focus, but it also tells of recent developments within Stock Island itself. A few select portraits are scattered throughout the new work in a sort of yin-yang dynamic: some depict the characters who continue to give Stock Island its raw character, and others reveal the people who are transforming the land and waterfront through redevelopment. There are paintings of landmark buildings and the new constructions-in-progress, as well as careful details of often unnoticed things.
“I relearn so much about painting with each of these canvases and every new subject I tackle,” explains the artist. “It forces me to start small and them make different decisions about line and color, compared to the hundreds of portraits I have finished over the past eight years. Perhaps the landscapes are like little studies which I might some day incorporate as a backgrounds in future portraits. Who knows?”
Nowak moved to The Studios of Key West last November after closing the Lemonade Stand Art Studio, which she ran for six years. Now based in one of the 12 affordable artist studios at the Armory, she is now able to pursue painting almost full time. She also is part owner of the new Fury Surf Shack, located in the Westin Marina.
“I’ve seen a lot of Key West paintings, but not too many Stock Island scenes in local galleries,” she says. “I find it extremely interesting out there, and if my upcoming exhibition can actually capture the sense of place, I might even turn the results into a book about what I find intriguing about Stock Island.”
Letty Nowak’s new exhibition, Stock Island, opens at the historic Armory building with a public reception from 6 to 9pm on Friday, May 30. Food for the event will be provided by beloved Stock Island restaurant The Rusty Anchor, with music provided by Stock Island singer-songwriter NAME HERE. A closing reception is also planned for the June Walk on White gallery crawl, from 6 to 9pm on Thursday June 19.
For details and information please contact The Studios of Key West at 296-0458 or info@tskw.org.
