Where Art and Writing Collide

Write or paint?

"Will There Be Peace Anywhere?" copyright MMSikes

That's always a big question for me.

Which do you like best?

I don't know.

Writing is hard, but it's useful. I need the skill to promote my paintings.

Painting is hard, but it's fun. I can lose myself in the process. I love the joy of working in experimental water media. And I've discovered encaustic painting. I had no idea the excitement I would find in moving paint and wax around using a heat gun.

But wait. I can get lost as I develop the characters in a book and then become part of the story myself. That's fun, too.

And sometimes my art and photography illustrate my articles and my books. That's useful. I love combining the two.

I'm very excited that my painting "Will There Be Peace Anywhere?" was selected for the 2012 National Juried All-Media Exhibition  at the Petersburg Regeional Arts Center. The show has 65 artists from all over the country featured.

Romance. Happy endings. Exciting paintings. Meaningful art. These are all wonderful to have in your life--even though sometimes art and writing collide, and it makes you a little crazy.

Mary Montague Sikes

Passenger to Paradise - Love of St. Martin Tainted

Tropical Fish near Caribbean Waters MMSikes

The Passenger to Paradise has long held a love affair with tropical islands of the Caribbean. In recent years, St. Martin, the half-Dutch, half-French island, has been her favorite Caribbean destination. Not only the beaches and beauty of the island beckoned, but also there was a comfortable sense of serenity and safety. With the September murders of a South Carolina couple vacationing in a condo on the island, the atmosphere of St. Martin as a safe destination is no more for the Passenger to Paradise.

Of course, she has created a few murders along the way as parts of her books. But those were not based on real events. Many of the adventures in her books do relate to actual happenings in the life of the Passenger, including her arrival, wet, soggy, and uneasy, to a small island resort off the coast of Trinidad. That story is part of her novel, Night Watch.

For the Passenger to Paradise, travel in the Caribbean has always brought adventure along with the excitement of the journey. A few years ago, she discovered much about Jamaica as an owner of one of the resort chains transported her by private plane and by car from one destination to another all over the island. At each resort, she created a painting to document the essence of that location.

Travel to Guadeloupe was always an experience. One night, she awakened to discover an intruder rummaging through her belongings on a dresser in the bedroom. In a sleepy haze, she mistook him for the dryer repairman she'd requested earlier. "Carlos, why are here now?" she asked. He grabbed her belly pack with everything in it, including passports, money, and tickets and raced away. Her husband took chase but could not catch him. No one at the resort came to their aid. There was no security guard. The Passenger plans not to return to Guadeloupe.

Now, she will probably never go back to St. Martin either. However, she feels sad for the tourism industry there. But there are other places to visit. She understands that nowhere in the world today is safe.

For the Passenger to Paradise, murders are better in fiction. A book can be closed, and it's okay. In real life, that is not true.

--Mary Montague Sikes

Clydesdales Pass By During Williamsburg Art Crawl

Budweiser Clydesdales in Williamsburg - MMSikes

An eight-horse traveling hitch of Clydesdales visited the Williamsburg Budweiser Brewery on Thursday afternoon to make "old fashion beer deliveries." This was celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the brewery that opened in 1972 and produces more than 40 brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob and Shock Top.

It was fun to go out the door of Applewood Bed and Breakfast where I was set up as an artist for the Art Crawl and see these beautiful animals pass by on the street. The iconic Dalmatian seated on the wagon got a lot of attention as well.

Clydesdales in front of Applewood Bed and Breakfast - MMSikes

Williamsburg Art Gallery Crawl Takes Place October 4

  On Thursday, October 4 , 5 to 11 p.m., I'll be one of the artists participating in the Gallery Crawl 2012 in Williamsburg VA.

Deluxe chartered buses will carry folks from one gallery spot to another where they get to sample great wines, try out cheeses, and see and maybe buy lots of art. Tour guides will be on board to help people stay on track.

Tickets cost $40 and include a keepsake wineglass. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to the website.

I'll be at Applewood Bed and Breakfast on Richmond Road. I understand from Denise who operates the lovely colonial B & B with her husband, Monty, that we will have music next door throughout the evening. Artist Bob Oller will also be showing work at this location.

Passionate Cooks - Free Book Release

Crab Dip Appetizer - MMSikes

 Although I spend very little time in the kitchen, I'm pleased to share my favorite recipe for an appetizer -- Crab Dip in the Passionate Cooks recipe book released today. It's free!
 

Passionate Cooks: Free Recipes From Today’s Hottest Romance Authors, over 150 authors of the genre have put their pens and computers aside to don aprons, get down and dirty in the kitchen, and share their love of food. Much like romance novels themselves, the dishes range from spicy to sweet. There is something for every taste and every level of culinary expertise.

Best of all, they are FREE!