Sometimes two things come together and the combination is a match made in heaven. Peanut Butter and chocolate, biscuits and gravy, chips and salsa (I must be hungry)--that's what happened when island photographer William Torrillo (Old Mango) and My Island Art got together. William has a fantastic eye that captures the true island beauty, each photo is so life-like and vivid that you can almost … [Read more...]
I love to photograph models. Their sleeks lines tease the lens while the warm sun gleams off their smooth skin. Passerbys stop and stare as I reposition their sexy bodies. Only my models aren't leggy blondes and sultry brunettes. They are fine bottles of rums and they look fantastic in the sand. Probably a little easier to work with as well. Several weeks back I loaded up three of my models … [Read more...]
Fort Myers Beach is my local slice of paradise. It's an 8 mile long stretch of sand with one main road. Yes, traffic gets backed up like a bear, but I really don't mind it. Put a little Mishka on radio, roll down the windows and turn your clock to island time. If you're going to be stuck in a slow moving mass of steel and rubber, this is the place to do it. Just a quick glance over your shoulder … [Read more...]
The Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon swept across America and had women everywhere giggling and sharing the books with their friends. Well sorry ladies, this post doesn't take Mr. Grey to the Caribbean, it brings the Caribbean to you...in shades of gray. There's just something powerful about a pure black and white photo. You would think it's a crime to take the brilliant colors of the Caribbean … [Read more...]
What is it about shipwrecks that draw us to them. Let's look at the Gallant Lady wreck that rests on the rocks of North Bimini. You look at the rusting hulk of the ship, sitting there helpless against the pounding sea, but something inside you feels uneasy. You know it's impossible but you want to save her. It's almost as if you are witnessing a stranded whale that doesn't below in the shallows, … [Read more...]
Not located in the geographical Caribbean, Bermuda is located in the mid Atlantic all by itself. Don't think it's lonely though, this fishing hook shaped island has sunk its dangerous end into many a visitor. It maybe the delicious Dark N' Stormies, the stylish shorts or it could be breathtaking beaches like Horseshoe Bay that keep people coming back to this ocean oasis. Horseshoe Bay is said … [Read more...]
A couple weeks ago I did a post dedicated to the icon of the tropics...the palm tree. Eleven glorious pictures that caused many of you to look at your calendar and count the number of days till you're next Caribbean escape. I thought I would tease you a bit more with images that don't fall too far from the palm tree...literally. Coconuts are just as synonymous to the trade wind latitudes as … [Read more...]
What makes the tropics feel like the tropics? It could be the warm blue water, might be the temperature that never dips below 70, or it could be the never ending supply of cheap rum. All very good qualifiers, but to this Castaway the palm tree is the quintessential symbol that tells you that you've arrived in the lower latitudes. That's why it's the main element of the RSR logo. Palms come in … [Read more...]
With Caribbean waters radiating vivid blues, not man, nor women, nor palm tree can resist the allure of a plunge. The sand and sea of Seven Mile Beach on the island of Grand Cayman has that effect on most. Tugging and grabbing at you, seducing you with its stunning looks and soothing touch. Who are we to resist. Not me. True, this palm might have started life on a crooked path, perhaps blown … [Read more...]
Every day I drive around town I'm reminded of why I live here. Whether it's the palm tree lined streets, the 80 degree temps in December or the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico, this place is just flat out beautiful. Dorthy, this is indeed not Kansas. Yesterday I had the opportunity to sneak away to the beach for about an hour and what a glorious hour it was. I had my camera in tow and nature … [Read more...]
I think it's safe to say we all love ocean sunsets. There's just something about the an unobstructed view of that glowing ball of fire dipping into the sea. The two contrasting elements melting into each other is simply...magic. I'll keep this short and sweet. I took these photos of the setting sun last Friday on the beach here in southwest Florida and thought I'd share them with … [Read more...]
Why I Write Close your eyes and remove yourself from the everyday. Picture your toes sinking into the sand as the waves kiss your ankles. It's a serene feeling that everyone should experience. I live a little bit of that life, living on the coast of southwest Florida and escaping to Caribbean to find adventure and inspiration whenever possible. If you have a love of the Caribbean and the island lifestyle then you have come to the right place. It's my passion to share the beauty of the island with … Read More
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