Artistic Escape: A Tribute to My “Mentor for Living,” Jimmy Buffett
I’m taking a moment to honor the passing of my beloved “mentor for living well”, Jimmy Buffett. If we've been friends for a while, you know how deep my love runs for this beautiful soul and his happy, lighthearted music. I've been a devoted fan since the late 80s, and I've been to WAY too many concerts to count (at least 30 that I can remember, based on my concert T-shirts 🍹🙄, but there were many years I went to multiple concerts).
Every show embodied connection, JOY, and the feeling of freedom, which is what I try to infuse into my art.
Jimmy Buffett concerts were magical in that they brought together people of all ages from all walks of life. Tailgating was taken VERY seriously and was THE BEST for people watching as we “Parrotheads” valued this pre-concert time so very much.
Flashback to some rare concert photos. Don’t judge me! 😘
Walking around the parking lot you could expect to see blenders churning with margaritas, rum drinks flowing from pop-up tiki bars, Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, coconut bras, and a camaraderie of pure FUN!
Jimmy embodied a carefree, beach-loving lifestyle, inspiring an escape from everyday life. As an artist, I have been deeply inspired by his music, colorful personality, and the vibrant pictures he paints with his songs that take you to “St. Somewhere,” a feeling I try to breathe into my art.
If you follow me on Instagram you might have noticed that I have a favorite #hashtag I created some time ago ~ #LivingMyLifeLikeAJimmyBuffettSong. Although it's not always possible to live this way I try to embody this mentality to the best of my ability.
Jimmy's music became the joyful soundtrack of my life, consistent as the whirl of a blender and as predictable as the tides. I still have his albums on vinyl, all of his books, including his picture books, I danced to “Delaynee Talks to Statues” with my dad at my wedding and ended the festivities with “Love & Luck”.
He made escapism acceptable and taught me that life is meant to be FUN!
I made a special playlist of my FAVORITE Jimmy Buffett songs for you!
You can listen on Spotify, but you will need to open a FREE account.
(it's REALLY GOOD! I hope it brings you joy on cloudy days.)
I have no words to express how sad I am at Jimmy's passing. This man brought so much JOY to my life. I will always try to “live my life like a Jimmy Buffett song”, soaking up the "Joie de Vivre."
Jimmy, I hope you have found your "Cheeseburger in Paradise."
Your Hula Girl, Parrothead forever💞
Sending sunshine ☀️ and a little escapism your way…
xo
Laura
If the idea of escapism resonates with you,
I poured that feeling into my latest seascape paintings.
These works are small escapes from the studio, inspired by coastal light, island rhythms, and the kind of beauty that invites us to slow down and breathe.
Explore the Key to Paradise Collection 🌺
A LITTLE GIFT FOR YOU!
When you join my newsletter I will send you 6 cheerful flower wallpapers, each with a different positive affirmation.
You’ll get plenty of inspiration and color to brighten your day, along with first peeks at my paintings.
Looking forward to us being friends!
“Sunshine’s Gonna Wash My Blues Away” is an original watercolor painting that was inspired by the soothing rhythm of the ocean. It’s painted in soft, soothing washes of lush aqua blues and shimmery turquoise greens which are known to recharge your spirit. This painting is light and airy and meant to express the feelings of freedom and joy, much like being on vacation. Put it in a special place in your home that will remind you to take a moment to pause and enjoy the good things in life.
The titles of each painting in this collection were inspired by a favorite Zac Brown Band song, “Knee Deep” which reminds me of beautiful aqua blue waters, clear blue skies, and breezy palm trees.
Details: 8 x 10-inch watercolor
Mat: This piece comes beautifully matted in an 11 x 14-inch mat to fit a standard size frame (frame not included).
Framing Suggestions: All of the paintings in this collection are light and airy and would look lovely in a white, birchwood, or gray driftwood frame depending on your home’s aesthetic.
Shipping: Please allow up to 7 days for paintings to ship out of my studio. You will be provided with a tracking number upon shipment. Review my shipping policies here.