February 6 – 20th, 2008 

I have been out of the studio for a couple of weeks, returning to Puerto Rico and exploring the island of Vieques. 

On this trip, I spent most of my time on Vieques, which is undergoing considerable change with the departure of the US military from the island.  A large portion of land and coastline remains off limits to the people of Vieques.  This land is apparently being cleared for safety by the military, and currently the US dept of fish and wildlife controls what has become a natural preserve.   Roads are being developed to access beaches, and other small parts of the former military base are now open to visitors during daytime hours.  

There is no denying the impact North Americans have had on this tiny island.  However, as I walked through the Spanish ruins in central Playa Grande, and wandered through the old cemetery in Isabel Segunda, it was clear to me that the native Taino have seen this land forever changed by foreign invaders for many centuries now.     

My hope for Vieques is that the residents of the island will be able to decide how their land will be used.  The ever present construction equipment and hard hats suggest that more change is coming to this little island, in the form of tourism, ready or not.  

Puerto RicoThis year I had the opportunity to return to Puerto Rico during the month of February. On this trip I spent more time exploring San Juan’s old town over a period of several low overcast days. In some ways, the fog and rain suit San Juan better than the blue sky days. The sea walls and famous cemetery were made more memorable by the high surf and slate gray clouds, and the rain seemed to bring out Puerto Rico’s European side. I am certain memories of this moody time and place will find their way into my work over the coming months.Old San Juan, Puerto Rico….. Cabo Rojo and Guanica, Southwest Puerto Rican Coast……Dry forest after fire, GuanicaRoadside pina colada stand, on the way to Cabo Rojo Cabo Rojo lighthouse and sea cliffs along Cabo Rojo coast more proof that difficult roads are worth the troubleAll Puerto Rico photos thanks to W. Bonnette