Back when I was in Key West, Frank gave me two pencil sketches on paper signed by Van Eno. I have no information about these drawings. Perhaps these were an initial rough draft for a painting.

Again I have no information about this sketching above except that it was signed and dated in 1982. It appears to be 3 robust women (or men) in long stylish whimsical clothing that depicts many of Van’s drawings of outfits. There was a small memoriam notice in the paper 20 years ago: “Van Eno, noted painter passed away. September 14th, 1986.”

If there are any paintings that exist out there that resembles the above 2 sketches – I would so much love to see a picture of it. Please email me at marc@vaneno.net.

The Goals of The AIDS Memorial Quilt

To provide a creative means for remembrance and healing, to effectively illustrate the enormity of the AIDS pandemic, to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS throughout the general public, to assist others in providing education on the prevention of HIV infection, and to raise funds for community-based AIDS Service Organizations (ASO’s).

The Aids Memorial Quilt

Stone: CenterR5C04 Line: 2

Van Eno’s name is engraved on the White Street AIDS Memorial. The location code first indicates on which of the three major sections the Name is located: Sea, Center, or Street. Then the number following the “R” indicates the vertical row, 1 to 7. The “C” is the column going across, 1 to 14

The Key West Aids Memorial is a website to commemorate the people who have died of AIDS in Key West. First posted in 1995, this site is maintained privately. You are welcome and encouraged to contribute to this web memorial with your memories of Keys friends, family or acquaintances that have died directly or indirectly due to the AIDS plague. The White Street AIDS Memorial was dedicated on World AIDS Day, December 1, 1997. It was built with private funds, and then donated to the City of Key West. At the time of dedication, 730 names were included, listed in random order. In succeeding years, additional names have been added. There are now more than 1,000 names on the Memorial. The AIDS Memorial at White Street is a City of Key West park.

Our appreciation goes to Ms Dart for contributing this painting. This is her story …

She bought this painting from an art gallery in Hallandale, FL. From the moment she saw it, she was entranced. There was such a sense of mystery about the woman in the picture. She couldn’t believe how rich the colors were and how much detail the painter gave to each and every type of plant in the scenery. At the time, the gallery staff had no information on Van Eno. This painting was buried in a stack among various other artists. Since they knew nothing about the artist, they sold it to her for $400 framed, admitting that it could be worth much less or much more. It measures 22 x 26, and appears to be acrylic on canvas. She’s so glad to see her instincts about this painting were correct.

Thank you for sharing your endeavors to communicate about Van Eno’s Art.

10/4/08 – Thank you Ms Dart for giving a name to your painting. The Calm Before the Storm is a great title, giving life and character. Van would be proud.

Thank You Bob for contributing this picture. This painting is called French Kiss.

This one is approximately 3’ X 4’, not including the hand-painted frame. It was in the window of Gingerbread for one of his shows somewhere around the 77-78 season. The medium is egg tempera and fortunately has not discolored as have some of his other paintings from that time.

Bob met Van Eno at that show and later saw him several times at Gingerbread and at get togethers at a guest house owned by his college roommate and youngest daughter’s godfather, Teddy (Merlin) Branchik. (Teddy is also remembered in the Aids Memorial.) The only clear memory Bob have of Van Eno is that he was rather quiet and unassuming.

This 1985 painting (acrylic on canvas) measures 22″w x 30″h. Our appreciation goes out to the Key West Art and Historical Society (from the Michael Dively Collection) for contributing this image to this site.

My best friend Kathleen Palin Parent had purchased this painting around the same time I got mine. She was accompanied by her aunt, Harriet (a gallery owner from Maine) and the 2 of them selected this painting from the Gingerbread Gallery together. Kathy very much wanted to own a Van Eno. Kathy and I have been best friends since we were 12 years old. At the time of her purchase, it was one of those rare periods when we were not speaking to each other. Couple of years elapsed and a sudden phone call from Kathy and just like that, we picked up where we left off.

In April of 2006, I received an unexpected package from Kathy for my birthday. I unwrapped it to discover this beautiful painting as her heartfelt gift to me. I was in tears. I know how much this painting means to her. Just like this painting, she is one of a kind and her friendship, I will always treasure.

Kathy died of cancer in the Fall of 2006. I miss her very much! This site is dedicated to you Kathy, my dear friend!

This beautiful painting was submitted by the Greene Street Gallery in Key West Florida. It was painted in 1985. Here’s the story of this painting. The owner of the “Card Game” was an acquaintance of Van’s. An artist to artist relationship. This was in the early days of the 80′s. After Van’s passing, there was a retrospective at the East Martello Towers Museum put together by Craig Biondi. Card Game was in the retrospective, purchased at Gingerbread from Richard Heyman at his first gallery. The retrospective displayed lots of erotica, pixies with large phalluses. Unfortunately, the owner never spoke to Van about this painting.

Frank and I were having Mimosas at La Te Da on Duval Street. Earlier that day, I just gave my partner a lecture about curbing his spending. After a few Mimosas, Frank says that “Van is having a showing at the Gingerbread Gallery and that we should go take a look.” At the gallery, I came across this painting and went into an immediate aesthetic arrest. I wasn’t able to move and quickly fell in love with it. I gave Richard Heyman (the gallery owner and mayor of Key West at the time) $100 as a down payment to hold the painting. It took a year to the day I gave my first deposit to finally paid it all off.
After Van Eno’s death, the East Martelo Museum did a retrospective showing to honor the artist. I was in the gallery to purposely make another payment when Richard Heyman informed me about this showing and that this painting will be hanging in the show. When I attended the show, it was then I realized that this painting graced the cover of the brochure. It was also the featured painting in the show being the very first and prominently presented as you entered the museum. This painting is dated 1986.