Artists at Home: Down by the River.....

In this world of fast and faster

I came upon a corner

that whispered calm and quiet

the peace of an era gone by...

Take a deep breath of warm salty air...

and join me on a tour of artist

Julie Lounibos' 

retreat of a home and art studio.

Hers is a house sturdily built in the 1800's old old for Florida

survivor of many unforgiving hurricanes

was even moved across the street in the 1920's

I love a good survivor story

flanked by the Indian River to the east

and hugged by enormous  century old live oaks 

and twisting singing palms

the salty home as depicted plein air by artist Lori McNamara

A sweet 'guest house" cottage  next door

was Julie's previous home

and  currently lived in, and loved, by her artist mother...

It also houses a metal roof clad garage

and an outdoor shower

hidden in vines

Julie grew up in this small village

her art born between the railroad tracks and this river

It is the soul of so many of her paintings.

Inside, the handcrafted screen kitchen door creaks and slaps loudly

as it closes behind you

I particularly love theses pantry doors

original to the house, glass and all.

The kitchen once porch is bright...and cozy...and authentic

with homegrown herbs and tomatoes

ripening on the sill.

adjoining the kitchen

is  the turquoise blue 

of the home art studio

The livingroom is big and breezy

cloaked in windows, art, books, collections....and cats.

what more would one need?

Sheba

A third generation artist, her art is steeped in her surroundings

I love the painting of her Granny...
probably in this same river

in the blue first floor bedroom

Hugging the first floor is a wrap around porch

screened and tempting the river breeze

this is where dinner is served nightly

and sunrises are quietly witnessed

Upstairs the narrow century old stairway

is another two bedrooms and bath

and more art

and sleepy cats...

Willie

with those beautiful Dade county pine floors

and original hardware

Art and heart and home....

In a historical little village

Down by the river.

My blood pressure dropped 20 points.

you?


Visit other Artist's at Home :

Lou Mullan

Ginny Piech Street

Julia Carter

Renee Guerin

Dale McGee