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.

Signed and Dated 1985.

Thank you Paul from Merida Yucatan Mexico for contributing this beautiful picture from his collection of Van Enos. One look, I immediately recognize the woman similar to the painting I own. In both paintings, the women are wearing the similar wavy blue/yellow outfit with Van’s signature fruit-bearing trees in the background.

However, my guess is that the 2 women may not be of the same inspiration. This one has the model diva pose, the long pearl jewelry, the large rose worn at the waist and the red fingernail polish showing high fashion and esteem. It is very elegant. My painting depicts restful simplicity, laid back state – with the focus on the hair.

Thanks Paul for Sharing!

This painting measures 36 x 10. Van has been known to paint his art representative of the Zodiac Signs. This beautiful piece is for Sale at the Gallery on Greene in Key West Florida. I notice his signature red fruit that appears in most of his latter paintings before he died.

I don’t have any information about this painting except that it seems rare for Van to paint such an unusual dimension. I have heard that Van painted large canvases – after he completes and examines his work, any section that he was not happy with, he would cut out. This may just be one of those piece.

If you like more information – you may contact the Gallery on Greene directly.

Gallery On Greene
606 Greene Street
Key West, FL 33040
(305)294-1669
galleryongreene@bellsouth.net

Open 10-6 daily

Van was not only an artist but a Poet!

Thank you Gallery on Greene for submitting this picture for this site. And thank you to the person who has a scrapbook of Van Eno memorabilias and showed them to the owner at the Gallery.

mark@vaneno.net

Here’s an article from the KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY talking about another local Key West artist Jack Baron.

Jack Baron didn’t begin painting until 1977 when Burton (his partner) gave him a set of acrylic paints for his birthday. After the couple moved to Key West (in 1979), Baron painted in the back room of Carrie’s Notions where friends often gathered to chat. Baron’s impish humor wove through his conversation in much the same way it weaves through his work. One such visitor, Key West artist Bob Franke discovered him there and delighted by his style, encouraged him to continue painting. Also of great inspiration was local artist Van Eno whose intricate whimsical works were much admired by Baron. Still, Baron’s paintings might have remained in the homes of friends had not Marion Stevens, a patron of Haitian art walked through the door of Carrie’s Notions and instantly recognized the work of a true folk artist.

Link to the Page

The goal of the KWAH Society is to collect, preserve and present Key West’s history, since 1949.

This was the original homepage look of the website.

This website was created back in the Fall of 2006. At the time, I wanted the domain vaneno.com but it was unavailable (or being squatted). But as I thought about what this site would be – a dot net seemed more appropriate (and it was available). I first created this site using Microsoft Frontpage (screenshot picture above) – and I, being a newbie webdesigner basically learned the design by trial and error. I grabbed some clipart pictures that I found on the internet and a few animations (ie. gifs) and placed them on the site. Typed my story and Done! It was a raw site but I got it together. Got a cheap host (only paid $30 a year) to launch it onto the WWW.

After it was complete – I was proud of myself at the result. It wasn’t perfect but hey, it was a live website that I built all by myself. And of course, the purpose of this site was to introduce the world of this brilliant but unknown Artist from Key West.

Since the hosting plan I chose was cheap – it only supported a static site. Nothing dynamic can be done. No one can comment nor fill out a guestbook. I didn’t know anything about web scripting, asp, php nor cms. I didn’t even know what HTML was.

So now comes 2008 and had invested into a one year web design certification program – and bam, now I know what I want to do. With the help of Digital Realmz Consulting, I was able to convert this static site into a blog (using wordpress). Goodbye MS Frontpage – Hello Dreamweaver!

I still need to add and modify some plugins but overall, I am happy with this site. And in the last 2 years, few people had sent me photos and stories of their Van Enos. Happy to see there is an interest in this Artist.

I hope I have done good for the memory of Van Eno. His name and his art are immortalize in the WWW. I hope to network with other collectors and those who know him so that we can all share and know the Man and his Art.