Monthly Archives: March 2015

The Inaugural Meeting of the Dogs and Cats of Antigua The dogs and cats of Antigua is actually the name of a newly-formed group for the prevention of cruelty to dogs and cats on our island and their protection where possible (neutering etc). Fortunately there are quite a few of us dog and cat lovers ( I myself own five dogs, three of which are rescue dogs) actively promoting this worthy cause. The first meeting of the members of the group prompted one of my friends, Clare, to suggest that a cartoon had come to her mind...and the drawing here of the Inaugural Meeting of the Dogs and Cats of Antigua was born! I am donating the framed original to the group for a fund-raising auction. We are also producing a limited edition series of prints, signed and numbered 1-50, mounted in a standard frame size (11x14" 28x35cm) which are retailing at $US 50 each, and a series of greetings cards of the same image, blank inside, with envelope, which are $US 5 each. All proceeds will naturally go to the dogs and cats of Antigua (email me at gillygobinet@me.com).   Scout, Fiver, Ladybird & Felonius Meanwhile I am continuing with my series of small original watercolors of other dogs and cats of Antigua (8x10" 20x25cm, mounted 11x14" 28x35cm standard frame size). The one with the two dogs and cats was done for my dear friends Dee and Ed, who are nuts about their dogs Scout and Fiver and their cats Ladybird and Felonius. The others, in the same loose style, show dogs and cats enjoying Antiguan sunsets; they are of two cats together, one single cat and one single dog. [...]

Mural at Papa Zouk, Antigua I have just completed a hefty rum & fish mural at Papa Zouk - the best rum shop in Antigua. Founded many years ago by the unlikely combination of two Germans, it is today even more popular having survived a recent fire that nearly demolished the original premises. Run by Bert Kirschner and his wife Faye, I first featured this little rum shop in my Cool Caribbean Cocktail Book in 2007 with its recipe for P'tit Punch, its delicious if rather lethal signature cocktail. Papa Zouk also serves amazing whole grilled snapper and a variety of other fish dishes including my favorite, the bouillabaisse soup. The meal can be nicely rounded off with a taste or two from Bert's wide selection of rums.   Papa Zouk off Dicknson Bay Street, St John's, Antigua The decor is simple but comfortable, the theme being fish and rum related. The tablecloths are made from the vibrant Antiguan madras cotton and there is the original gravel on the ground in the first section of the rum shop itself. There are five communal tables and a section of small tables for couples, and the atmosphere is always very friendly and buzzing....reservations are definitely recommended! The rebuilding  after the fire took place just over the last month or so and in order to replace a fish market scene that they had cherished, Bert and Faye asked me to paint a mural, incorporating the details of their lost painting. Fish and rum were naturally the main ingredients of this new image, which I enjoyed doing whilst listening to the zouk music that features here every night. Tired but happy after finishing this rather [...]