Hi there! We are M&M – owners of this site and bloggers for the last year. We met each 9 years ago (in 1999) in a city card and book shop. We were both shopping for birthday cards at the time. Our eyes met, we smiled and in less than 24 hours, we had our first dinner date. Our initial dating relationship had our twist and turns, but in 2000, we reunited and this time it stuck. We exchanged our vows and rings in 2004.

We moved in together in 2001 and that is when Marc introduced me to his small collection of Van Eno’s art. We hung up his one favorite piece “Only Her Hairdresser Knows” in our living room – and still to this day, it graces the wall of our living room (we bought a new home together last year in 2007 – and right away, we knew where to hang this one painting).

I began to appreciate Van’s art as I got to learn about the man behind the paintings. The stories Marc had shared with me about his years down in Key West and meeting the artist. It was fascinating to hear about the apartment Marc lived in that was formerly occupied by the Artist himself.

Together, Marc and I started this website in hopes to connect and communicate with other collectors and fans of Van Eno. I hope this site will make Van proud!

Sorry – this is the only existing picture I have of Van. The caption below the pic reads: Richard Heyman (left) and Van Eno. Richard was the owner of the Gingerbread Gallery and the mayor of Key West at that time. The curator from KWAHS (Key West Art and Historical Society) mailed me this copy of Van’s obiturary in the newspaper. This news clipping was old and faded.

In November of 1982, Van was recognized as the Stage Designer for the show Godspell (at the Waterfront Playhouse). This piece of memorabilia was forwarded to me (again) by Nance from the Gallery on Greene.

Unfortunately, I don’t have much information about these pieces. The owner of these memorabilias wish to remain private and I respect that. Thank you for providing these to the Gallery.

Here’s another:

Claire Restaurant on Duvall Street. I remember Claire’s. I use to bartend and waiter for that restaurant. It was own by Marvin Paige (he is the one who coined Hamburger Mary’s famous on the east coast).

I love this Painting! Immensely rich with color and reminiscent of a Fairy Tale. I’m encaptivated by how the focal piece – the archer, is enveloped by dense vegetation. It captures some sillyness with the archer’s hip-stance and the tiny bow. Love it!

Thank you Nance from the Gallery on Greene (Key West Florida) for contributing this picture. Since 2006, Nance has been a wonderful support in my efforts to communicate about the life and share the art of Van Eno. She too is a fan.

Checkout her Gallery on Greene Street in the Historic Seaport of Key West. The Gallery is a leader in the field of representational fine art, paintings, photographs, reproductions and sculptures from Key West & The Florida Keys.

When I first created this site back in Sept 2006, I search the internet and made contacts with anyone that may have some biographical information about Van Eno. I got my first response from the Key West Art & Historical Society. The goal of KWAHS is to collect, preserve and present Key West history, since 1949.

The curator was able to mail me a copy of the Solares Hill news clipping that had Van Eno’s obituary and biographical information. It was dated October 1986. I typed out the entire article and posted it on this site (link). The copy was barely legible (since it was a copy of an old print) but it was very informative.

Thank you Norm!

Key West Art & Historical Society
281 Front Street
Key West, FL 33040

I’m not a Forensic Handwriting Expert nor will I profess to be one – but what is that professional license called? An ABFDE (the American Board of Forensic Document Examiners) Certified Professional.

I cropped out Van’s signatures from all the pictures I have (or were sent to me) that was legible. I just wanted to compare and see if there were any hint of similarities or continuity in each of the signed paintings. After seeing them – my novice eye says no but who am I to say what is what?! It is the artistic license for any painter to sign his art however he/she wants. They can differ from painting to painting.

I have notice a style of art differs from Van’s earlier work to the latter years before he died. Most of Van’s paintings dated 85 – 86 are the ones I admire the most. The paintings are much more vibrant and rich in colors. They are bright and upbeat. Therefore – I may be able to tell Van’s work from his latter years.

Anyway, here are the signatures I cropped. If you can make heads or tails out of them, please share.

Here’s another beautiful painting Paul From Mexico has in his collection. It is called Tarot Card. The one amazing part of this painting I notice is the dot-painted frame. It has that abstract Jackson Pollack look and feel. This painting portrays some mystical elements. The bearded man and staff may have some religious embrace.

I always wonder what Van’s inspiration was originated in his paintings? I’ve seen his works embracing the zodiac signs and other mystical appeals. It seems to have some affiliation with the occults. But I do love the rich and vibrant colors on the robe.

Front Cover

Back book Cover

The owner of Gallery on Greene sent me more information about Van Eno. In early 2007, she met someone who had a scrapbook memorabilia of Van Eno. The book cover (measuring 24 x 18) is done as an abstract expressionist painting very similar to Jackson Pollock. This style of drawing and colors are evident in many of Van’s painted frames.

It would be wonderful if the owner of that scrapbook can comment on his/her collection. I would love to hear your story!

Our thanks again goes out to Paul from Mexico for this beautiful Van Eno sketch he owns. My impression of the drawing is that it displays a sensual woman posing in elegance.

Thanks Paul.