Custom Mooney Painting

[Wistarmo]

I live in Central Florida and my wife and I frequently take our '93 J Model over to the Bahamas, it is really part of our lifestyle.  We went to an art show in Mount Dora and saw an artist, Mike Williams, who does very beautiful classic paintings of Florida, the Keys, Bahamas, and Caribbean.  Many of his paintings include planes, and he really has a great style that captures the adventure of this part of the world.  I asked him if he could put my plane into one of his paintings, and he sure enough did.  He did a terrific job, and I thought I would share it with you.  He would be willing to do the same for any other interested pilots/owners.  He has a variety of sizes and prices.  I couldn't help myself and bought two canvas paintings from him, and I am extremely happy with his work.  His website is www.BlueIslandGraphics.com, and he is very, very nice to work with. Take a look at his website, and imagine seeing your plane on a flying adventure in one of his paintings.

[flyboy0681]

I live in Central Florida and my wife and I frequently take our '93 J Model over to the Bahamas, it is really part of our lifestyle.  We went to an art show in Mount Dora and saw an artist, Mike Williams, who does very beautiful classic paintings of Florida, the Keys, Bahamas, and Caribbean.  Many of his paintings include planes, and he really has a great style that captures the adventure of this part of the world.  I asked him if he could put my plane into one of his paintings, and he sure enough did.  He did a terrific job, and I thought I would share it with you.  He would be willing to do the same for any other interested pilots/owners.  He has a variety of sizes and prices.  I couldn't help myself and bought two canvas paintings from him, and I am extremely happy with his work.  His website is www.BlueIslandGraphics.com, and he is very, very nice to work with. Take a look at his website, and imagine seeing your plane on a flying adventure in one of his paintings.

 

If you have time, I'd be interested in a broad review of where in the Bahamas you fly to. I'm looking for a new destination and could use some suggestions.

[Wistarmo]

Well, we go all over, stay in all kind of lodgings, and enjoy it all.  We have been to Bimini, Freeport, Treasure Cay, Hope Town, Harbour Island, and Great Exuma.  The only place I generally wouldn't go is Nassau, for it is very commercial.  

Bimini is the closest, and Alice Town on North Bimini is very quaint, you can cover it all on foot easily.  Several nice places to stay.  

Many people avoid Freeport for the same reasons they avoid Nassau, but we quite enjoy the Grand Lucayan or Pelican Bay resorts.  If you don't mind staying in a lower scale room, you can get great deals at the Grand Lucayan, and it really is a good resort for the money. They also have high end lodging.   Across the street is Port Lucaya, and there are a lot of nice restaurants there.  

Treasure Cay was spectacularly beautiful, and we stayed at the Treasure Cay resort.  You can go to the marina and get a boat and captain and tour other islands such as Green Turtle Cay and Great Guana Cay.

Probably our favorite right now is Hope Town.  Fly into Marsh Harbour and take the ferry to Elbow Cay.  We would highly recommend getting a bungalow at Hope Town Harbour Lodge. Lots of nice restaurants all over the island.

Harbour Island has the Pink Sand Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  Nothing on Harbour Island is cheap.  The center portion of the island is getting run down.  It is a gorgeous place to visit, good places to eat and stay, but expensive.  

We went to a Sandals on Great Exuma, an all-inclusive resort, and had a great time.  Again, not cheap, and Great Exuma is a little further out.

Was hoping to check out Staniel Cay, but apparently the airport there is currently a mess.  

 

So, for example, this year we did Sandals on Great Exuma, spent a fortune, had a great time.  Went to Grand Lucayan in Freeport, spent a lot less, still had a great time, and it was a lot closer.  We are going to Hope Town for July 4th, and this will be at least our fourth trip there.  We try not to repeat ourselves too often.  Based on the above, it probably sounds as if we are always going to resorts, but that is really the exception.  We stay in hotels, bungalows, or probably most often rent a place using VBRO.  

 

The good news is that 100LL is becoming very common, so you can get the blue gas without too much problem.  The bad news is that fees are going up all over.  There is an Immigrations departure fee of $29 per person, usually a landing fee ($50) , and a facility fee for the FBO's, and AVGAS isn't cheap there.  

 

Please feel free to private message me if you have any other questions.  

[filmsense]

You guys are making me jealous

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[flyboy0681]

 

Please feel free to private message me if you have any other questions.  

 

Thanks for the outstanding reply. A good friend of mine who owns a Skylane recommended Elbow Cay so I think that will be my next destination. I'll be saving this thread for future reference.

[helitim]

You had me going for a minute when I read the title. Thought this was going to be photos of your custom paint job ON your Mooney.

[hramirez8]

Staniel key is currently closed for repairs. But really cool spot to go to "piggy beach (my kids named it so for the swimming pigs). Easy to rent a boat even for a day trip is fun.

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