Miami Spice (Second) Time Around

I have never considered myself a foodie. I was more of a Fuel City taco girl in Dallas than a multi-course-meal person at Miami’s finest restaurants. Then came Miami Spice, the two (now three) months each year when diners can enjoy three- and four-course menus at approachable prices. For the past three or four years, I’ve used it to visit sought-after, high-end establishments and some local Miami favorites, and I’ve had some amazing culinary experiences.

As always, my Miami Spice journey started at Joe’s Stone Crab. The menu changes a little each year, but it never disappoints. After a century, the quality and service remain at the highest level.

This year, though, turned into an adventure that challenged my palate. Daniel’s, near Sunset Plaza, refined Americana food to perfection. The filet mignon with peppercorn sauce was classic, and the dessert was a delicious finish. With monogrammed placemats and every detail indulged, it feels like an old-school New York steakhouse. It’s popular, so reservations are recommended.

Brickell’s LPM (La Petite Maison) was no one-hit wonder. It was worth visiting twice. The menu included divine crudo, duck à l’orange, homemade Italian pasta, and a choice of cheesecake or delectable chocolate mousse for dessert. The ambiance is kitschy in the best way, with art-filled walls and celebrations of all kinds happening around you, and a touch of modern decor to go with the memorable food.

Then came the Michelin-recognized restaurants. First was Le Jardinier in the Design District, worth a visit for the tomato-watermelon gazpacho and a chocolate dessert that ranked among the best of Miami Spice. The second, Ariete, has been recognized by Michelin year over year and is not to be missed. It is one of three Miami restaurants to earn the elusive distinction for 2026, and it’s fine dining in a comfortable corner of Coconut Grove.

Zucca was my pursuit of Italian fare. Notably, the appetizers are entree-sized. Wine Spectator has recognized it for the past five years, but what stands out most are the service and ambiance. It’s located in the historic Hotel St. Michel in Coral Gables, perfect for an afternoon coffee, and its happy hour is worth checking out.

The best of the best of Miami Spice 2026 is in Brickell, in a quiet corner off Brickell Bay Drive and 14th Street. The ambiance is a world away, the service is spectacular, and the food speaks for itself. The restaurant is Osaka, where every detail is designed to delight and impress.

There are ten days left in the 2026 Miami Spice extravaganza. For more information, visit ilovemiamispice.com.

(One) New Autumn , (Two) Months of Miami Spice &. (Three) Course Meals

As summer rolls into autumn, Miami Spice is now rolling through the month of October for the first time. And, this year it does not disappoint.  The most recent reservation is the best of the best - Ariete and its Michelin stars left diners wanting to return for its special 7 course menu. With venison tartar and oxtail gnocchi - who would want to try a 3 course option for 65 per guest, 7 nights a week?  If you are going for a casual lunch fare - first stop is LPM.  Located conveniently for Brickellites on the corner of 14th and Brickell Bay Drive don’t let the construction sway you.  This place is open for business - and at $40 for a three course lunch it doubles as a delightful art museum as you meander through its corridors of electric art through the nuevo French American fare. In fact, its homemade pasta will leave diners wondering if they are in Napoli or Miami. This is truly a place for tourists and locals alike, day or night and for casual fare or celebrations of many kinds.  If you delight in French American bistros, visiting Le Jardinier for a Saturday lunch in Miami's design district is the perfect place  for people watching and enjoying a three course lunch Miami style - fashionable and full of surprises.  I love Miami Spice is better than ever as we enter the time of year to harvest a great time at a good price.  For more information, visit ilovemiamispice.com.

(Spring) is Coming

Game of Thrones fans may recall the the season finale warning that “Winter is Coming”. The ominous warning melted and so did the snow just as February brought the Lunar New Year of the Horse that inspired me to add one of the newest pieces of this collection - Wakeah Jhane’s “Spring is Coming”.  The colorful, stunning piece of art may be the most hopeful of this collection with its reminder that with Spring - art festival gates will open, the sun rises earlier, and we are all reminded that spring is in bloom. Her latest work can be found at https://www.wakeahjhane.com.

The Miami art season started with a memorable Coconut Grove Art Festival for 2026.  The perfect weather hosted artists whose work displayed multiple mediums - from handblown glass to exquisite jewelry. Artist were represented from coast to coast. The standout for Coconut Grove this year was Nicolas Barnes who intense inlaid woodturning pieces are nothing short of breathtaking.  The artist credited his grandfather who taught him this art form in his shop in rural Virginia.  You can see his work in March 2026 in Winter Park and St. Petersburg, Florida. This spectacular work is not to be missed.  It can be found at his website - https://www.nbarnesart.com// or on instagram @nbarnesart.

How to Frame Art: From (Five) Egyptian Papyrus to (Many) Prized Canvases

Framing art more than a stylistic choice.  There are choices about preservation, conservations, weight, color, size and what the artist or collector prefers.  There are more choices than ever in the framing marketplace.  After visiting a framer of art for with 50 years experience and personal art collection with 1500 pieces - yes, 1500 -works of art in Key West’s Stone Soup Art Gallery, I re-discovered many wonders and the importance of framing art.

To almost no one’s surprise custom framing can be expensive. Luckily, less expensive options are increasingly available. Acid free matting, ultraviolet acrylic glass-like covers, discounted floater forms, and options to frame delicate art at a more reasonable price is increasingly accessible. But I must admit there are many times the price of framing rivals or exceed the price of the art work itself.

A long term relationship with a framer is a bit of a friendship of shared information.  So I must give credit to Frame Art in Miami’s popular Brickell neighborhood.  This is where I learned about re-stretchting canvas, color options, and many of the framing techniques detailed here. It is the go-to custom frame business in Miami.

If custom frame is out of the budget, Amazon.com is the go-to site for art frames and matting in all shapes, colors, sizes and styles.  Listed here are some ways to frame your art whether it is a signature piece or a favorite personal piece. Some of these link to affordable options on Amazon.

1. Gallery Frames: These are simple and elegant frames with a clean, modern look. They are often made of wood or metal and come in a range of colors and finishes. Gallery-style frames  have no matting, so the artwork fills the entire frame. This type of framing is especially effective for modern and contemporary art styles. “Havana Club” is framed with a black gallery frame that makes the amazing colors in this piece pop. They are also called canvas floater frames and can be found at a discount at Jerry’s Artarama with many locations in South Florida and an online store of colorful surprises.

2. Shadow Box Frames: These frames have a deep, three-dimensional design that allows you to display objects or art with depth, such as sculptures, collages, or memorabilia. Maria Reyes Jones “Blue Coconut Palm” is a classic shadow box framed piece that makes the painting appear larger than life.

3. Ornate Frames: Ornate frames are often used to frame oil paintings or vintage photographs. They have intricate detailing and are typically made of wood or plaster.  The framed “Paris” piece by Julien has a gold frame with ornate edging in a more baroque style. It is a beautiful way to upgrade the most glorious paintings.

4. Floating Frames: These frames are designed to make your art look like it is floating within the frame. They have a minimalist design and are typically made of metal or acrylic.  Floating frames are great for prints.  The piece often appears to be “painted”on the wall.

5. Collage Frames: Collage frames allow you to display multiple photos or pieces of art in one frame. They come in a variety of styles, from rustic and vintage, to modern and sleek. 

6. Drawings and prints are delicate artworks that require special framing techniques to ensure their longevity. The best way to frame drawings and prints is to use acid-free matting and backing to prevent deterioration over time. A metal frame with an ultraviolet resistance acrylic cover is the most common method of framing drawings and prints. It is important to ensure that the frame is sized appropriately and complements the artwork’s style.

7. Specialized framings:  Many items in this collection are over 100 years and are Egyptian Papyrus or ledger paper art circa 1896. Because they are authentic, one of a kind pieces and very rare, they are framed professionally so they do not oxidize as quickly.  For many years, I did not know the papyrus 150 years old or more. Having collected art since I was a teen, I am assessing each piece I have in the hopes of preservation. Note, these pieces are protected between two panes of glasses or ultaviolet resistance acyrillic.  Spacers are put in some pieces to make sure some air can flow through if the pictures are in a humid climate. Framing mats also provide the air flow similar to spacers to protect the art over time.

   Framing can enhance the artwork’s aesthetic value, highlight its key features, and ensure its longevity. In this article, as well as future blogs, I will continue explore how to frame different types of art to maximize its impact. Art is a journey through time.  Each artwork tells its own story - colorful, intense, and alluring.

(Two) bars, (Too) many events to talk about, and a Second Time Around for Art Season

As we approach summer we can reflect on another trip around the sun with year of art in review.  

This year the sun was shining on Florida’s ever popular event season.  The festive art season starts with embracing Carnaval events in and around South Florida and the famed Fantasy Fest set in Key West, Florida.

Focusing on a celebration of the Key West bicentennial celebration, crowning the “King” and “Queen” of the ball grabs the attention of locals and tourist during October. 

A return trip to Key West ensured Thirsty Mermaid was the first stop for weary travelers on Fleming Street.  And there it was - a decadent plate of Mac and Cheese croquettes to feast on while waiting on some of my favorite local seafood .  A side of northeastern origin oysters and a glass of wine later I was reminded why I visit this restaurant almost every time I visit Key West.

I took a moment to reflect on both old and new - so I purchased one old book and one new one.  Once centered around Hemingway’s third marriage.  If at first you don’t succeed…you can visit the Hemingway House to acclaim you too are a certified Key West tourist. A visit to the Key West Museum makes it easy to understand why Duval Street is often called the longest street in the world and why Guy Harvey is more than a favorite collab art of clothing brands.

Sometimes adventure is trying the familiar all over again- with a twist. In March 2023, another trip to Key West beaconed. New stops were the goal of this get away. A trip to the Ilvedson Brothers art studio with minimalist, colorful art was the perfect place to start followed by a refreshing libation at a wine bar across the street boasted another memorable Key West happy hour.  Of course, I had to pick up a print to add to my collection and easily settled on the simply beautiful “Rooster to Roost” from Loren Ilvedson.  

A quick check in at the famed Conch Hotel of Duval Street to cool off made me think of Hemingway and Tennessee Willams walking these floors decades before.  An hour later we whisked away to visit one of my new favorite bars in Key West where visitors can refresh their palette with a homemade ginger beer vodka cocktail at The Roost on Fleming.  They have a happy hour from noon to six pm - and it is worth a stop. Of course, the Key West Guild Hall co-op art gallery on Duval was a must visit before making our way back to Miami.

As some celebrate all things new, we can also recall old favorites like Miami’s 2022 Art Basel, and the 2023 Coconut Grove Arts Festival. In between the bookends of big events, we took time to take in Miami art scene and visit local galleries such as the Miami Fine Arts Gallery and one of Miami’s artist co-ops - Art Fusion Miami Gallery in the Wynwood district where Gallery Night on Second Saturdays are celebrated monthly from 7-10 pm EST.  If you are great at planning outings in advance - there is a wait list for the also free Second Saturdays at the Perez Art Museum Miami in downtown Miami.  The wait list is about two weeks so call early.

While newness can be bright, shiny, so can some adventures worth a second, or third, or fourth time around.

New works by Wakeah Jhane art featured here. Her work is timeless and somehow brings the past into the future. Her graphic art piece was selected by Yahoo featured for a celebration Native American Heritage Month (November 2023).

The artist featured here is Humberto Benitez of Coral Gables, Carol Rezba of Key West (part-time), and Loren Illivedson of Key West. The music is Bob Marley.

One Boat Show, One Food Festival, and Many Art Festivals in Miami

While every season is art season, few art seasons are as vibrant as winter in Miami. First on the list is the 59th annual Coconut Grove Art Festival on President’s Day weekend - February 18th-20th.  What was once a local go-to for a long weekend now attract art enthusiasts and art collectors alike. Nestled in on of the most beautiful towns in South Florida, Coconut Grove, this festival is a must go-to event.

Many local artists have been at this juried festival year over year. This year more than 280 artist will be featured in 2023 from around the globe. There is food, music, face painting and other events to take in for the three day festival.  Parking is no fun, but when is it ever in Miami proper?  Be prepared to arrive early and carry cash to park, pay and usher through the rows of wonder for several hours. 

General admission day tickets are $25 on-site and available online for pre-purchase for $20.  Special packages and discount tickets are available in advance online.  There are discount tickets for early birds also. Fan favorites such as Greg Stones and his ever-so whimsical art will be there. “Sloth in Space” remains a favorite acquisition featured at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in 2020. Go to CGAF.com for more information.

As each art event becomes increasingly popular, pop up art galleries will be featured at venues throughout the Magic City.  Art Wynwood is one of many. VIP preview starts February 16th. Go to https://www.artwynwood.com/ for more information. General Admission tickets are $36.50 for any one day between February 17-19th.   This event is sponsored by the local Perez Art Museum (PAMM) and the Florida International University Jewish Museum of Art to name a few.

If for some unexplainable reason art is not your thing, visit the world’s largest boat and yacht show. The show will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, and Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande Miami. Click Here to view the show's Google Map.  For more information on the event start February 15 and wrapping up on February 19, 2023 vista their site at https://www.miamiboatshow.com. One day tickets for adults start at $42.

Stick around a few more days and you can enjoy both the South Miami Rotary Art Festival in South Miami, Florida and take in the food at the now must attend SOBE (btw that’s short for South Beach for non-locals).  A few artiest will be showcasing their work at both art festivals - notably Christine Bishop - who’s work can be seen at https://christinebishopart.com/.  Her work can been seen here and at the famed Horchow home decor retailer at  https://www.horchow.com/ 

The South Miami Rotary Art Festival takes place February 25th-26th 2023, in the downtown area of South Miami on Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street) from US 1 to Red Road (SW 57th Avenue.) The area is filled with historic buildings, restaurants, and unique shops. Just three miles south of Miami’s Coconut Grove, South Miami borders the University of Miami and the upscale neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Pinecrest.  An impressive roster of artists are sure to delight. For more information go to  https://southmiamiartfest.org/festival-information/.

On March 4-5, 2023, for one weekend in March, Miracle Mile, the stylish main street of Coral Gables, comes alive with a non-stop celebration of Greater Miami & Miami Beach’s Latin and Caribbean culture. The Carnaval on Miracle mile is sure to excite with music as colorful as the top of the line art featured at the festival.  I acquired one of my favorite pieces here from well-known Cuban artist Jose Manuel Abraham more than 10 years ago.  The piece, similar to Abraham’s “My Uncle’s Bar”, remains in my art collection today.  His robust works of art and stunning mercchandise starting at under $7 can be found at https://jose-abraham.pixels.com/. For more information on this quineticential Miami event visit https://carnavalmiami.com/events/carnaval-on-the-mile/. 

Celebrating more than 25 years, the event features 150 artists, 50 artisan vendors and an entire “Artist Village” with handicrafts, jewelry, paintings, sculptures and photography. Dance in the street to live jazz, funk and rock music.  The event is FREE and fun-filled for two days!

Two Art Galleries, a British (History) Museum, High Fashion, High Street, and One Monarchy

Hold the Presses! Let’s take pause to remember all the United Kingdom has given us.  The tabloids have been silenced for one day (at least) to remember her Majesty, the Queen of England, after seven decades on the British throne. In memoriam of the Queen, Burberry immediately postponed its London Fashion Week (LFW) show slated to start on September 12, 2022 without hesitation.  Many other designers found on London’s fashionable High Street will wait for LFW until September 16-20, 2022. 

Twice I have visited London and three times I have drank from the fountain of art, humor, and culture of the UK. In 2005, I roamed the halls of the National Gallery of Art in Trafalgar Square.  The art was “classic” oversized canvases that tell stories of days past. An eager tourist, I photographed strangers and friends alike.

I went back across the pond five years later. This time I stayed with friends who resided in east London.   Upon my arrival, we rushed to drop off luggage and headed out to what is now called the British Museum.  Who needed sleep after a red eye flight when there was so much to see? We arrived at the museum quite early and I was instantly in awe.  Much of the featured items hosted in the museum were collected by the British around the world during Britain’s colonial age.

International influence abounds - from the Rosetta Store pictured above to Cleopatra’s tomb. This far exceeded my expectations of any museum - ever. Noted, this was then titled the British Museum of History. The name change may be a nod to the fact that it houses global historical art and artifacts not necessarily threaded in British history.

Ferris Wheel on the River Thames, London 2010

A committed royal watcher, I made time with friends to visit Saint Paul’s Cathedral and the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace. At that time, there was a comprehensive exhibit of Queen Victoria’s - Queen Elizabeth’s great-great grandmother - collection of art and artifacts during her personal travels. No attention to detailed was spared. Even the gift shop was distinguished.  The Gallery originally opened in 1962 and recently reopened on May 21, 2022 by her Majesty for the Queen’s Jubilee celebration of her 50 years on the throne. It is with great lament I did not visit in 2019, when the Queen's Gallery housed an exhibition of 200 of Leonardo da Vinci's drawings from the Royal Collection.

At the majestic artistic doors of Paul’s Cathedral, London 2010

I was a bit closer to understanding why my friend warmly told me, “The British may hate the monarchy, but they love their monarchs.”  With British art exhibits, it is important to keep the art top of mind without silencing its history.

The music clip in this vlog is the 2013 song “Royals” by Australian Singer Lorde.

Shut the Red Front Door: Two Art(ists) Galleries, Two Happy Hours, Two Hotels, and Alicia in the Keys

The quote “All politics is local politics” dates back to 1932. Ten years earlier, the now well-known artist hub of Key West, Florida, celebrated its inception as a township. As the city celebrates its centennial in 2022, we are reminded the Florida Keys visitor experience transcends politics and embraces guests through its art – where All art is still local art.  

“I woke up in the Spring of 2019 and decided to sell both of my galleries on Duval Street. The rent was going up.” explained the lady at the counter.  To this Miami resident the phrase “the rent is going up” is as common as Cuban coffee on Eight Street in Little Havana. In Florida, it has become one thing we can all relate to.

The lady at the counter happened to be one of the most popular artists in the Keys, Fran Decker. She comfortably shared the appeal of the co-op Guild Hall Art Gallery - where we were on Duval Street. It opened in 1976 as a local artists’ gallery. The other gallery she described is the must see local artists’ gallery that also happens to be the oldest gallery in Key West -the non-profit Key West Art Center at Mallory Square. I visited another local artist Lisa Suarez at that gallery the day before. Lucky for me, Fran’s work is featured in both galleries.  This was a brush with Key West fame.  

A thirty-four-year resident of Key West, Fran’s story is intriguing as much as other Key West icons.  From Ernest Hemingway to Tennessee Williams, Key West has attracted literary greats and skilled painters alike.  

Fran began her stay in the Keys as a conservationist after graduating from Wellesley College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biology. She worked for many years in the environmental field with The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  She also spent ten years in Boston and sixteen years running the boat charter business she shared with her late husband, called “Double Decker”. Her paintings show interpretations of many adventures featuring everything from the Keys beloved sea turtles to famed Key West landmarks. They reflect a beautiful story built over time.

This is not the beginning of this Key West adventure story. Over the course of several trips to the Keys, my boyfriend and I have managed to find the best of the best of Key West.  Lets start with where to stay: the Saint Hotel if you’re a Marriott fan and not on a budget and L’ Habitation if you want the authentic 100-year old restored home-to-hotel Key West experience without the Autograph hotel price tag. The happy hour starts at four pm at L’Habitation and is included with the room price.  

To indulge in Key West’s “to talk about” libations meander past the Marilyn Monroe statute mimicking the famed “Some Like It Hot” skirt flaring image at the Tropic Cinema and cross the street to the red carpet entry at the Saint Hotel’s red front door where some like cold drinks.  

Open the door and find the not-to-be-missed photo opt at the grandeur of everything at the Saint Hotel. It boasts part off-the-wall, and all “must see”.  The happy hour at the restaurant and lounge at the Saint Hotel - once called Tempt - starts at 4:17 p.m. and lasts until 7:14 p.m. EST- so don’t be late.  Featuring all the virtues of a classic speakeasy, the food here is as refined as the drinks.  I highly recommend the new-to-the-menu shrimp scampi paired with the spicy libation with a jalapeño paired with fresh agave, mango juice and, oh yeah, more vodka.  

If you were lucky enough to get a room at the quaint L’ Habitation, enjoy the breakfast included, pack up, and stop back in at the Key West Art Center - featuring up to 50 local artists. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm EST. Then, make another stop at Guild Hall Gallery - currently featuring 26 local artists - currently open from 10 am to 8 pm EST Monday-Friday and noon to 5 pm EST on Sundays to support Key West local art.  

On your way out of town, stop at the Thirsty Mermaid on Fleming Street for some oysters, a lobster roll, and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc.  And the beautiful journey back to Miami on Overseas Highway begins again. 

If you don’t want to drive yourself, hop on the big red tour bus or find yourself in the comfort of the Flixbus for $30.99 per ticket each way - wifi included, drinks for purchase.  (More recently, Flixbus added an option for a round trip, day trip.)

If you cannot find a room or are looking for any additional information contact the Keys concierge, “Alicia” in the Keys at KeyWestEasy.com.  The only question left - when is the next trip Key West?

The music featured in this vlog is “No One” by Alicia Keys.

What the F is an NFT? Authors Note: NFTs have remained the same. The way to purchase them has. Contact my insta for more info.

If you have ever been on a boat long enough, you suddenly realize there is a “boating” language.  Similarly, the brave new world of NFTs brings with it its own vocabulary and it is not a language easily learned.

Ergo, we will try to keep this simple.  NFT which stands for “non-fungible token” is a unique, digital collectible that exists on an open, decentralized network of computers across the globe which work in real time to verify and authenticate the token. NFTs are non-fungible - meaning it is one piece and it can not be interchangeable into separate parts.  For example, a boat can not be split in half and still have the same value.  The boat is one vessel.

Let’s say our NFT is the “Miami Boat” NFT. Where do we buy this NFT, how do we know the “Miami Boat” NFT is not stolen, and can we get a clean title? 

Now, we are ready to start the engine and give the boat a spin to see if we want to buy the “Miami NFT Boat”.  We must ensure the money is our “bank account” or, in the case of our NFT, we must ensure we have some form of payment in our digital wallet which is a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ether etc. Which cryptocurrency depends on what currency the bank accepts. In the “Miami Boat” NFT case the bank is “Open Sea” and it currently accepts Ether as the medium of exchange or “currency” of choice for NFTs.

The great thing about our “Miami NFT Boat” is she is one-of-a-kind and uniquely authenticated through a unique alphanumeric code on a blockchain.  Like the title, the alphanumeric code is a certificate of authenticity that validates the digital art as legitimate and original. It is on a blockchain. It is not stolen and the title is clear.

But wait…there’s more.  If you opt to buy the boat, you must put gas in the tank to whisk off into the sunset. And if you are  buying an NFT, there is likely a “gas fee” as well.  That gas fee is no different than your pain at the pump these days.  The more demand there is for NFTs, the more energy it takes to “mine” the cryptocurrency; therefore, theave gas fee goes up.  With less demand for NFT transactions, there will be a lower “gas fee”.  And, yes, it is actually a transaction fee called a “gas fee”.  Don’t let the sticker shock deter your from adventuring into the open sea of NFTs.

Open Sea, you ask? This is where the NFT wave riding begins.  If you set your sails into the wind for digital art, there is a plethora of digital collectibles to navigate. Open Sea is just one of the “NFT banks” where you can buy NFTs, aka digital collectibles, of all kinds.

The art world has been slowly moving their compass toward the digital world. Here in Miami, the owner of the popular nightspot Club Eleven purchased an NFT called “Bored Ape #11” from the Bored Apes Yacht Club - the hottest cultural NFT collection in the world - for $396k dollars. Likewise, in the wake of NFT excitement, Eminem purchased the “Bored Ape #9055” NFT from the same collection a few days later for a cool $460k dollars.

But the real Slim Shady is Mike Winkelmann - a digital artist better known as Beeple. “Everyday - the first five thousand days” is his masterpiece of 5000 digital works created for his “Everydays”series. Its associate NFT is a collage of his first thousand days of images he collected to create the most expensive NFT at the time - having sold at a Christies auction house for $69.3 million. Not to worry, there are much more affordable NFTs for purchase.

Above: Images from the Bored Ape Collection #11 and #9055 respectively.

“Puzzled” NFT

In full disclosure, I too, put my money in a digital wallet, ponied up the gas fee, and purchased my first NFT by Baley Billy Bodden on Open Sea at the beginning of 2022 pictured on the right.

As with other assets, buyer beware. I recommend due diligence in the NFT acquisition process. For more information, read the Wall Street Journal piece “Open Sea’s NFT Free-for-All” published on February 12,2022.

Miami’s most recent art evolution is reflected in the newest category of art at the 58th Coconut Grove Arts Festival happening this weekend, February 19-21, 2022, in Coconut Grove, Florida. For the third time, digital art is a vetted category. And for those eyes on the open sea of clear waters, the famed Miami Boat Show 2022 coincides with the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.

If these two exciting festivals can coexist, so too can classic canvases and digital collectibles.

If you have any question about this or other information on this site, please reach out via the contact page or visit my instagram account @traecollection.

What the F was Van Gogh About?

Sunflowers, Starry Nights, and Smoke and Mirrors

As Bansky expressed “I want to live in a world created by art, not just decorated by it.” then Vincent Van Gogh is the go-to guru.  His art was far from decoration.  A small part of the world Van Gogh created with art can currently be viewed in the Van Gogh immersive experience art exhibited in downtown Miami.

This is not my first rendezvous with complexity of the art of Van Gogh  In July 2014, the Musee d’ Orsay in Paris hosted a special Van Gogh exhibit that featured actual masterpieces of Van Gogh from around the world.  So, after attending the Van Gogh show in Paris, little did I expect to be moved by a “immersive experience” in Miami.

Nonetheless, with Van Gogh, it is easy to wish the walls would talk, since Van Gogh’s work of two thousand or more paintings is often whittled down in memory to a few heady still life paintings of sunflowers, a view from his hospital window known as Starry Nights over the Rhone River, and the smoke and mirrors of the man himself highlighted by a cigar smoking self-portrait. 

The mirror of Van Gogh that most art watchers recall is his own litany of sad, almost heart wrenching, self portraits - most of which he painted shortly before taking his own life at 37 years old.   

We’ve all heard the rumors of Van Gogh that insist he removed an ear and sent it to his muse. More likely, as the story is revealed, Van Gogh graciously left one of his ears at a local brothel for one of his many muses “to remember him by.”

With no shortage of controversy, this exhibit is full of strange, if not amusing, surprises.  Van Gogh was the essence of the quintessential struggling artist - only selling one painting in his lifetime.  Ironically, Van Gogh’s art now sells for $80 million or more.

He not only created a world with art, he also decorated it with a curiosity of just “What The F@“ his art was really about.

A storyboarded journey of Van Gogh work is on display at Miami’s Olympia Theater.  The theater itself - renovated by famed then Miami-based architect Morris Lapidus - is worthy of the trip to see the Vincent Van Gogh “immersive experience”. 

For Van Gogh, nature was among his named inspirations. In a city where much of paradise has been paved for more condos and parking lots, and less nature, Van Gogh brings us the beauty of a most colorful nature in art - even if it is human nature. This is often as amusing as the man himself who is actually thought to have been color-blind.

As Van Gogh reminds us, “Normality is a paved road. It is comfortable to walk on but no flowers grow there ”. His final known art creation - “Tree Roots” - makes us wonder what seeds he would have planted next and what flowers may have grown. 

“Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The curtain is up through most of Spring 2022. Similar exhibitions are currently in other cities throughout the U.S.. and other international cities.