They Want the Hat Back

I painted an art piece, “Nassau Daddy”, which stands on the corner of Grand Avenue and Douglas Road in Coconut Grove. I  wrote a while back how the school children’s excitement had damaged his hat. Back in January, I cleaned up the head and fixed the damages with paint.  

Apparently, the community felt that the hat was a big part of Nassau Daddy so they requested that I create another one. It is not easy making a hat without the model. I measured and got started. Without Mr. Nassau nearby, I had to create the hat in a different way. I started it and went back for a fitting. It turns out that I will need to complete the hat in the corner, on site. I need to leave the back of the hat opened in order to fit it though its head, then close it with mesh and plaster once I am there. It has not been an easy project. I don’t think I will do this again so I was glad to hear that the school bus stop has been moved from that corner. Maybe now, Nassau Daddy can keep his hat on for the rest of the summer……and the upcoming school year.

To view the making of “Nassau Daddy”, click here.

Nassau Daddy Stands Proud........Still

A couple of years ago, I participated in a street art project called, “Coconut  Grove Peacock Tour”, here in Miami. My peacock was sponsored by  Pinnacle Housing and the Coconut Grove Collaborative. “Nassau Daddy” has been proudly standing on the corner of Grand Avenue and Douglas Road. The neighbors were so protective of it and proud of the Bahamian heritage it represents. Before the new year, I had a call from Mr. Rashid, with the Coconut Grove Collaborative, with the unfortunate news that the peacock had been damaged. Mr. Rashid asked if there was any way that I could make him look like he did.

"Nassau Daddy" with hat before damage

I was told by the neighbors that the school children use this corner as a bus stop and maybe got a little too excited climbing and playing on “Nassau Daddy”. His beautiful hat was broken off and some of the jewels that make up his feathers on the back had also come off.  I went this past weekend and did some repairs. I had to scrape the remains of the hat and re-paint the area.  The missing jewels on the back were also replaced. I am looking into re-creating the hat. It seems that the children are not the only ones enjoying this piece of art. The neighbors told me how the tourists stop and take photos, which made me very happy.

If you want to see a fun video on how “Nassau Daddy” was created and what it “used” to look like, click here.

Thank you Phil Brown for the creation of this video

www.rosiebrowncreations.com

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