Key West Coastal View with Cumulus Clouds
Painting on canvas • Kathy Corey (Key West Regionalist)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Impressionism / Regional Florida Art
Medium & Technique
Oil paint on canvas; techniques include heavy impasto applied via palette knife in the shore and surf regions, combined with wet-on-wet blending and scumbling in the sky and clouds.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (Contemporary)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches; horizontal landscape format
Subject Description
A coastal landscape featuring the turquoise waters characteristic of the Florida Keys. The composition is horizontally divided between a low-horizon sea and an expansive sky filled with dramatic cumulus clouds. The left foreground shows a sandy beach with thick impasto white paint, bordered by tropical foliage. The narrative suggests a calm, bright day with the shifting light and atmosphere typical of the Gulf of Mexico.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint film appears stable with localized peaks of impasto showing no signs of cracking or loss.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD
Auction Estimate
$250 - $500 USD
Provenance History
Acquired directly from the artist or a local Key West gallery; currently in a private collection. Likely originated from the artist's studio in Key West, Florida.
Art Historical Significance
Kathy Corey is a recognized figure in the Key West arts community, known for capturing the specific light and tropical atmosphere of the Florida Keys. The work is significant as an example of 21st-century plein-air inspired regionalism, contributing to the documented aesthetic history of the Lower Keys.
Notable Features
Distinctive use of both thin, atmospheric washes in the sky and thick, sculptural palette knife applications in the sand and waves, creating a textural contrast that defines Corey's signature style.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and very slight stretcher bar impressions visible along the top edge; otherwise no significant damage or restoration noted.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (below 50% humidity to prevent mold in tropical climates). Frame with a protective spacer to avoid contact with the impasto surfaces. Use UV-protective glazing if displayed near direct light.
Collector Notes
Key West Artist Kathy Corey oil on canvas