Bait Shacks, Pugs, Cats, Men and Procrastination…. December 14, 2008 Themes in the life of a Native Florida Folk Artist. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

On December 14, 2008 I spent a typical day painting up my inventory after a show. During a show it is easier to see what I’m missing as the way I keep inventory is verrrryyyyy CASUAL. I’ve been toying with bait shack images for some months now. Bait shacks are part of the ever disappearing Old Florida landscape. My dad used to take me to them as we went fishing a lot. We also went up to the house of a lot of work bat men…men who have worm beds, put the worms in a container and usually sell them on an honor system at the end of their drive way. A sort of casual global working economy system. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

This is the Beer & Bait Shack.. includes sayings: If you can’t catch a fish-catch a buzz.. Wish you were beer… It’s Beer:30. There is a beer bottle floating in the water with a hook through it. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

This is my first bait shack sign I painted. It is the “Shore Thing Bait Shack.” People often say they know what shack this is, it is a memory of a shack on the Alifia River. It isn’t terribly accurate visually…but it is SPIRITUALLY. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

This is a very large 2’ x 3’ sign. Painted on December 14, 2008. “Welcome 2 the Fishin’ Hole!!” Reads also: Get Reel Bait Shack… We Promise Our Bait will Catch Fish or Die Trying… Stop wishin’-Stop fishin’… It’s Beer:30… Live Bait/Cold Beer… The tide always changes..and the Gator hidden in the corner. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

I’ve sold most of these…but I also paint a version with borders that have sayings. I love this one because it has a lot of color. I paint a lot of this sign using a fingerpainting technique that is all FUN. I love fishing. I hope my bait stores, fishing sayings and colors show how much I love fishing in Florida. Florida has fresh, salt and combination fishing. I often crab to make sure I have something to eat though! RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

This is a slightly saucy version. But as you can see, they are all customizable. This is the “Happy Hooker Bait Shack”..reads…”we promise you’ll catch something.” Others: “May the fish you catch be bigger than the holes in your net!” “Watch what U fish 4…” – “Beer:30”…”Live Bait, Cold Beer.” Shark in the forefront. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

I love selling fish signs. Some are original RhondaK sayings, but many are old standards and tribute signs from bait and fishing bars/shacks/places past. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

While I love pugs, I paint a lot of cat signs. Particularly cat and wine signs! These are my pugs. Jada and Sadie. Jada used to live on my boat with me but lives with my mom now. She has an anchor marking on her head. Sadie lives with me. She’s a lively girl and loves going on sales trips with me. Both end up in my folk art. This is Sadie the sales pug. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

Sadie… my muse. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

Jada Pug..her anchor marking is somewhat visible. She made a hell of a sea dog often barking at this nasty liveaboard guy who was trying to run me off. The Jada always got the last word. When she barks she rolls her Rs like an Irish brogue. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com As you can see my signs are the background. Jada has always sat with me and been my buddy while I painted from DAY ONE of when I started. Some days it was my only way to feed her or put gas in the Jeep.

The pugs in my mother’s backyard. And signs of my and their love in my life. That’s why I love doing custom pet signs. I GET IT. I LIVE IT. I LOVE IT. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

Now to CATS and WINE!!!! And GONE COASTAL Fat Cats…FUN Meow times… RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

Custom cats and my Cat Ladies…. “I’m not a cat lady…I’m a feline fatale…” !!!! RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com

December 14, 2008 Other little signs I put together for my December 20, 2008 show. RhondaK, Native Florida Folk Artist http://www.rhondakwrites.com