While I am not a photographer by any means I love experimenting, especially with all the toy cameras out there; the Diana, the fish-eye and the holga. Here are some of my favorites pictures from my recent trips.

Clockwise from top left: Seven Mile Highway, Cloud Gate in Chicago, Key West Cementary, Pepe’s Key West

Yes, I found my dream house in Key West…isn’t it lovely? AND when I finally win the lottery this is what I’ll be buying, (a girl can dream right?) The house is better known as the “Calvin Klein house” because Calvin owned it in the 80s. I really don’t know much more about the house other than its octagon shaped and has gorgeous turquoise shutters and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, oh and did I mention that I want it! More info about this beauty here and here.

pictures via me

Another exhibit featured at the Key West Museum of Art & History was J. Seward Johnson’s exhibit “ICONS” which featured life-size sculptures of some of America’s most iconic moments in history, art and movies. There were sculptures surrounding the museum and then a small section inside the museum where I got to meet Mona Lisa, Marilyn Monroe, the American Gothic couple and the girl with the pearl earring. As you can see my sister and I had a lot fun to posing with the sculptures.

Exploring the island on the very first day of the trip we came across the Key West Museum of Art & History. The museum features some portraits of Key West’s famous people as well as work by some of their most well-known artists—my favorite being folk artist Mario Sanchez. Most of his pieces are reliefs carved into wood panels and then brightly colored to accurately reflect street scenes, places and people from Key West during the early 20th century. Sanchez’ work has a certain charm and honesty about it; seeing the culture and beauty of Key West through his eyes. These pictures do not do his work justice. See more of his pieces here.

Top image: Morning Gossip, Bottom image: Taxi, via here.

While in Key West last week I came across the Zbyszek art gallery. I was immediately drawn to the bright colors, movement, textures and abstract figures in the work and I knew that I wanted to purchase one of his pieces to remind me of my trip to Key West. I need to photograph the piece I purchased and I will share it later in the week.

Check out his work. It really is amazing–each piece has so many details that you could stare at one painting for hours. And his wife’s beautiful work is featured on the site too.

More from my trip coming soon.

images via here

photo via here