George Carey and his best friend Freddie Haskins have always been independent minded. During their artistic careers, other forms of art have been regarded as more evolved and enlightened than representational work. It's a gutsy decision to paint and carve traditional subjects with unfeigned candor.
But, recently, there's been a greater interest in an objective gaze that captures the more unpretentious aspects of life. You can see for yourself this weekend.
New paintings by George Carey and wildlife carvings by Fred Haskins will be showcased in a new exhibit opening tomorrow evening, Saturday, March 24, with a reception 6-9 p.m.
Four generations ago, Carey's family dismantled their home in the Bahamas, plank by plank, loaded it on a barge and shipped it to Key West. As a child, George began painting. His mother, Miss Ruth Carey, an educator, enrolled her son in an art class at Noble's Art Gallery and. later, with nationally recognized artist, Gerald Leake. "The classes were held at Ernest Hemingway's home where I still fondly remember Mrs. Hemingway giving me Kool Aid in a Dixie cup."
For more than twenty years, Fred Haskins has been known only to his bubba buddies and fellow carvers as a respected Florida Keys wildfowl carver. His Mockingbirds, Catbirds, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Green Herons and Ospreys are so realistically carved that most people won't believe they are Tupelo wood until they touch them. Fred started carving while in the Boy Scouts at the age of 12. He is now well into his fifth decade.
Make no mistake, Fred is from humble beginnings, but he has worked and studied with the best. He first trained with Eugenia Pratt, then with Ernie Muehlmatt, one of the most respected wildfowl artists and teachers in the country. Fred's work is superlative. His work stands with the best in his field. The detail is extraordinary, every line and each feather is so precise yet has the soft downy look of a bird's feather.
The gallery is located at 606 Greene Street. Info: 294-1669.