Jim Cromartie Paints Boca Ciega Bay – and St. Pete
Jim Cromartie, a renowned Nantucket artist, is the artist-in-residence at the Crystal Bay Hotel.
By Abby Baker
Nantucket artist Jim Cromartie‘s Wikipedia page credits him with the creation of “Hard-Edged Realism”, and he’s sold his work to a princess and a vice president.
But right now, he’s a snowbird in St. Petersburg.
He’s also the artist-in-residence at the Crystal Bay Hotel through April. Cromartie will paint at the historic landmark while he waits out the New England winter.
It’s not something the hotel frequently does, but they made an exception for Cromartie, who has local friends.
An Artist’s Break
Cromartie grew up in North Carolina, in a place he says had no art galleries and “one little museum.” He began doodling in the classroom to impress his female counterparts, according to him.
“That was the beginning of my life of crime,” he joked.
But right now, he’s a snowbird in St. Petersburg.
He’s also the artist-in-residence at the Crystal Bay Hotel through April. Cromartie will paint at the historic landmark while he waits out the New England winter.
It’s not something the hotel frequently does, but they made an exception for Cromartie, who has local friends.
An Artist’s Break
Cromartie grew up in North Carolina, in a place he says had no art galleries and “one little museum.” He began doodling in the classroom to impress his female counterparts, according to him.
“That was the beginning of my life of crime,” he joked.
