Passenger to Paradise, a Collaboration of Artist and Writer

Several years ago my publisher, Oak Tree Books, created the "Passenger to Paradise" series for my novels that are set in exotic destinations. These books have included settings in Jamaica, Trinidad, Antigua, Costa Rico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Sedona AZ. When deciding the name for my one-person show in the new Ward Center for  Contemporary Art, I thought about the "Passenger to Paradise" books and how I had not only written about the many beautiful places we have visited but I have also painted them. In an "aha" moment, it occurred to me that "Passenger to Paradise" is the perfect title for my exhibition that will be on display when the Ward Center opens during the months of November, December, and January.

Whenever we go on a trip anywhere, I always have a camera dangling around my neck or tucked away in a fanny pack. I enjoy photographing foliage, beaches, buildings, sunrises, sunsets--anything that tells a story and can be used as reference material later on. I also have handy a sketchbook filled with heavy-duty Canson drawing paper. Most of the pages contain notes made with a black marking pen and are illustrated with a small drawing here and there. When we return home, I enjoy having photographs as well as my notes to remind me of the places we have visited.

The tropical island of Jamaica is one of my favorite destinations in the Caribbean. The glorious scenery there has been the subject of a novel, Hearts Across Forever, and many paintings, including several of the spectacular Dunn's River Falls. At least two of those paintings will be included in the "Passenger to Paradise" exhibition. The acrylic painting on canvas featured in this post is 52" x 76" framed.

"Dunn's River Falls II" ©Mary Montague Sikes

 

I look forward to hanging the "Passenger to Paradise" show in the brand new Ward Center for Contemporary Art. The paintings included will represent scenes from Trinidad, Antigua, and other scenic and tropical destinations. It will be a collaboration of both the artist and the writer.

What about you writers and you artists? Can you find a talented friend with whom you can collaborate for a show and a book-signing? Perhaps even a poetry reading? Writing about a painting or creating art inspired by a poem have become popular activities for clubs and sometimes even galleries.

Art and writing make a great collaboration.

Writers, Boats, and a Blog Book Tour for Night Watch

Over the years, I've always loved activities with creative people, especially writers. Writer's conferences are a great place to meet and make friends with other writers. When I heard about the Writer's Mystery Cruise that many of the other Oak Tree authors and our publisher, Billie Johnson, all planned to be on, I was torn. I wanted to be there, but the thought of a big cruise ship with thousands of people was just not appealing.

In the end, traveling with author friends was not attraction enough to overcome my fear of claustrophobic spaces on the water. Yesterday, when I learned about the fire on the Carnival cruise ship that was crippled in the Pacific, I knew I'd made the right decision. That was the same ship and the same itinerary the writers were scheduled to take next Sunday. Fortunately for my friends, the accident occurred a week before they were set to board. Because of the damage to the cruise ship, the Mystery Cruise has now been canceled. I'm sorry my friends are disappointed, but I now know I will never change my mind about traveling on the high seas on a cruise liner.

My latest novel, Night Watch, is the newest book in Oak Tree's Passenger to Paradise series. Starting tomorrow I will be on a Blog Book Tour with Night Watch. My first stop will be with Patricia Stoltey tomorrow. Please visit her blog site and leave a comment. I'm conducting a contest with a signed copy of Night Watch as first prize. Just visit each site of my blog tour that starts tomorrow and ends on Nov. 19 and leave a message. I will count the messages to determine the prize winners. In case of a tie, I'll have a drawing. I expect to have second and third prizes as well.