We've returned from our highly successful and productive buying trip very energetic and enthusiastic. The many new paintings have created an abundance of work so please be patient with us as we inventory and process the pieces to get them up on the site. We’re sure that you will enjoy the new pieces and want to make them a part of your collection.

Upon arrival in Port-au-Prince airport we weren't sure what to expect. In past years our airport experiences had been less than ideal. We immediately noticed that there wasn't a local band playing Caribbean music as there had been last year. To our pleasant surprise, that was probably the worst part of the airport experience. Luggage carts were once again available to help carry the bags, customs went smoothly and there was even a driver from the Villa Creole there to greet us. We had expected to see our friendly driver Jasmin from previous trips, but our new driver, David told us that Jasmin had a previous commitment driving for MCI and that he had been personally selected by Jasmin to drive for us. Outside the airport, a new fence has been erected. This further isolates the area from the crowds of men trying to help with luggage. Inside this fence there are porters with highly visible identification tags to assist with your bags. It made leaving the airport much more organized and less traumatic.

The drive to Petion-Ville was uneventful. The heat and the smell of the country made us feel quite at home. We noticed that there were new buildings going up, some homes anme businesses. Also, there seemed to be an abundance of brand new gas stations and banks. The gas stations even had "mini-marts" similar to those seen in the states. The streets and market places were as crowded as usual; the images reminding us of the typical market scenes portrayed on familiar canvasses.

We arrived at the Villa Creole and were greeted as though we were family. Friendly faces from years past welcomed us. It’s amazing that the staff remembers us so well. Once again, we need to take this opportunity to compliment the staff of this hotel. The owner, Roger Dunwell, manages to retain the most hospitable, friendly, courteous, efficient employees we have ever encountered in all our travels. We would like to thank Nicole, Louisbert, Junior, Ouibert and everyone else that makes our stay so comfortable. In addition, let’s not forget that incredible bartender with the dimples and wonderful smile whose name escapes us, yes, he does make the best rum sours!

As usual, our days began with planning sessions poolside at the breakfast table under the huge beautiful almond tree. The coffee machines were new but the food and service were traditionally superb. We spent the days hard at work; scouring all the galleries for new artists and trying to purchase paintings from established artists. We were fortunate this year to meet three artists, Harry Jacques (Arijac), Gerard Fortuné and Marie-Marthe Louissaint.

During our conversation with Arijac,he told us how he sets out to paint. He said that there are certain images in his mind that he transfers to canvas first by sketching and then by painting. He insists that he never had any formal training and that at an early age he would watch others paint.

Arijac is a friendly, good-natured talented man with a great sense of humor and a passion for merengue dancing. He lives part time in Miami and continues to paint regularly. His talent is evident as you examine his portraits and landscapes. Arijac spoke of his use of color in his portraits. He said that he tries to create a "flat" feeling on the faces of the women. This he uses as a contrast with the background colors. In this way, the figures "jump" out at you. According to Arijac, each of his paintings tells a story and he is quick to relate these stories as you point to his works.

We need to mention that he was so taken with our webmaster, Ruth, that he said he was going to paint her. Well he did and though the result doesn't look exactly like her who are we to judge what’s in the eyes of the artist. We think its a great painting.

We met Gerard at a dinner party given by a friend. He was a smiling gentleman who wore a red baseball cap and quietly observed us as we partied. Unfortunately, our inability to speak French or Creole made effective communication with him nearly impossible. After dinner our hostess treated us to a display of many of his most recent paintings. Gerard beamed as we commented favorably about his work. He is known as one of the most remarkable "naïf" artists in Haiti today. Our hostess told us that he loves to observe people and makes them the subjects of his paintings. Hopefully we can expect to see a painting or two of our evening together!

Merie-Marthe Louissaint is a female painter who paints in a photo-realistic style. Her works were new to us this year and they were quite impressive. She captured the smile on this young girl’s face with such realism that it brings a smile to your face! Louissant will apparently become quite a successful Haitian artist.

We had originally planned to go to Jacmel and see if we could purchase crafts, however, time became an issue. There were barely enough days to conclude our business with the paintings, never mind take a day trip to Jacmel. We hope that on our next visit we can finally make it there. As the years go by, our contacts increase and it allows us to offer the best to you, our customers.

Though we did see signs of progress such as the presence of MCI and AT&T and many new buildings, both business and residence, sadly, life in Haiti for the majority of people hasn't changed. Poverty, illiteracy, crime and hunger are issues that continue to face the nation. The Government is still not stable and recent events at the Carnival in Jacmel only emphasize the desperate need for something to be done. Yet, Haiti, the land of mystery continually captures visitors drawing them into its soul and causing them to return time and again. We offer our latest acquisitions as a tribute to the talents of the Haitian people. Their pride is evident in their works and their demeanor. Join us in celebrating their lives and their country.

To read about our 1998 trip click here
To read about our 2000 trip click here