From Linen to Lipstick

Yesterday, I met a young woman from The Bermuda Tourism Authority at the island's Annual Gombey Showcase at the Botanical Gardens. Without delay, she asked me how many times I have been to Bermuda-presumably to gauge my status (newbie vs.veteran). 

She followed with a rather pat question: "What is your favorite thing about Bermuda?" I was auspiciously silent. How could somebody ask me that, I thought, with a certain degree of indignation... If I were to have a single answer to that question, my love affair with Bermuda would be shallow.

Clearly, I have no lack of fellowship when it comes to appreciating the visual aesthetics of Bermuda. This subject brings to mind one particular lady, who shares my passion for nature and my love of color. She is an iconic artist, here in Bermuda, who brings joy to kitchens and tables around the world from her artistic outpost on Queen Street- The Island Shop.

Speaking of beauty in Bermuda is fruitless if one does not mention the talented Barbara Finsness. Originally trained as a fine artist and architect, Barbara paints vibrant watercolor designs that are applied to ceramics in Deruta, Italy- the Umbrian home of the original Deruta pottery, frequently sold in stores such as Williams Sonoma.


Highly recognizable, classic Deruta pottery frequently features a palette of blue, white, gold, rust, and green- often with beautiful Roosters or classic lemon motifs. Barbara's designs are uniquely different. Immaculate white dishes with hand-painted watercolor images, they each evoke Bermuda with distinction.

For years, I have admired the colorful displays in The Island Shop in Hamilton. Having sipped my coffee from her creations at Salt Kettle House (a vintage Hibiscus mug) and a newer palm tree design at Gairlochy (our Air BnB), this year it was high time that I owned my own. 


A diehard bone china loyalist over all these years, my family observed that I began sipping from Barbara's cups over our Easter holiday. This is big news- believe me! If you could see my collection of bone china cups from Bermuda...dating way back to 1994... I could re-open "Romancing the Scone" at A.S. Cooper & Sons (this was a favorite haunt for tea, back in the day.)

Barbara's ceramics are a treat- not only do they bring joy with every use; they represent the reality of an artist's life- what it takes for one piece of ceramics to go from concept to table. Her artwork travels from Bermuda to Italy to be painted, and then must make the long journey back, before ending up... anywhere on the map!

Interestingly, every single dish that is designed by Barbara (with the exception of Melamine, of course) is painted by a single Italian lady with a fine and steady hand- yes, one lady in Umbria! 

In fact, on a recent visit to Deruta, Barbara asked her loyal artisan what her plans were for her retirement. She replied, "I will retire... when you retire!" 

This is a partnership across cultures and continents- one that enhances the livelihood of two talented ladies, and enhances the lives of everyone who makes a ceramic purchase.

Barbara Finsness also designs vibrant textiles- many of which are produced in India. As you might imagine, this requires considerable legwork- in order to get prototypes approved, and substantiate quality. 

Among her other signature designs include an array of tabletop linens for the home, as well as tea towels, cocktail napkins, greeting cards, holiday ornaments, silk scarves, shawls and neckties for men. She even makes upholstery. 

Ironically, the freighter that carries Barbara's finished products into Hamilton (Bermuda's capital), passes directly past Barbara's waterfront home- the true meaning of coming full circle.

 

Handmade production and shipping costs account for a price point in Bermuda that is understandably higher than products made in China. Yet, it is hard to place a value on artwork than can transform your every meal. Finsness does offer a line of Melamine too- for easy breezy affordable entertaining.

Barbara paints fine art for sale, including custom and commissioned works. She also designs products for special events, such as the recent America's Cup Race that took place in Bermuda. 

For a long time, I have wished that Barbara would offer studio tours. During my recent visit to Bermuda, I bit the bullet and made an inquiry. Might Barbara let me stop by for a visit to see where she paints? I relished the idea of sharing her insights with my readers.

To my utter delight, Barbara Finsness invited me over for a drink at her beautiful home in Warwick. As my taxi dropped me off, I took a first glance at her home, resting above a sweeping lawn with robust palm trees. I felt as though I was walking into one of her designs. 

Her home sits along Hamilton Harbor, perched on a hill, buffered by lush green protected reserve land.

Barbara greeted me in a beautiful turquoise and pink outfit; her appearance evocative of her essence.

Instantly, I could envision her in Town and Country magazine- beauty, talent and class personified. Someone who lives her own aesthetic- from the linen to the lipstick!

As we headed upstairs, to the main floor of her home, my eyes caught elements of her creativity throughout. The entry way is flanked by hand-carved wooden panels of her classic motifs. The dining table is decorated with her linens. The kitchen is stocked with her lovely creations. 

Of particular interest to me was a fish hanging on the wall- a mosaic of Barbara's creation. 

Barbara's terrace is a fabulous outdoor living area, with a plush sofa and chairs allowing spacious room for entertaining, adjacent to a long table for dining- reminiscent of Tuscany. Above the dining room table is a most unusual kerosene chandelier featuring individual glass torches.

Sitting with her sister, Marian, who was visiting from the U.S., we enjoyed appetizers of salmon and homemade guacamole on her terrace. Barbara took us on a tour of the property, which is incomparable, with stunning views.

Conversation was intriguing. With a degree in Architecture from Drexel University (my alma mater, also), Barbara shared the fact that her foray into retail was not her lifetime aspiration, but rather a venture into a viable lifestyle on the island, having married a Bermudian gentleman.


We talked about the fact that she (like me) also grew up in a small town (in her native Pennsylvania), and would wander into "mom and pop" shops that sparked her imagination. Having grown up in my mother's gift shop, Whimseys, this resonated with me immensely.

We discussed how wonderful it is, to enter a shop and feel 'the click' between shop and shopper. When one can create a space that beckons visitors to come in, mingle and look, shopping becomes a very enjoyable experience- rather than merely a chore.

This is Barbara's mission for her business. Her staff continually rotates merchandise and integrates new items, so that each time you walk in, there is something new to enjoy.

Finsness feels comfort in the fact that 'the corner of Queen Street' remains grounded in traditional Bermuda- featuring such shops as The Irish Linen Shop and The Bermuda Book Store.

In addition to art running in our genes, we discussed similarities in our families. Barbara, who faced the sudden loss of her husband not long ago, has four grown children, all of whom are artistically inclined. I was delighted to hear that the Bermuda Society of Arts is planning an art show of her family's work in the upcoming year. 

The warmth of Bermudians never ceases to astound me. "Would you like to stay for dinner? I am just going to throw some steaks on the grill!", Barbara offered.

Over the perfect summer supper of steak and grilled veggies, we discussed the challenges of staying in business in Bermuda- the fact that she must decide which designs to create, how many to order, and whether to make higher quantities of affordable Melamine products (outdoor dinnerware) to underwrite the cost of making the more pricey ceramics. 

With three stores currently in operation, she discussed the cost-benefit analysis of her two additional shops at The Fairmont Southampton and in St. George's. The shop in the hotel is not affiliated with The Fairmont- thus, its sustenance is strictly up to Barbara, as owner of the business. 

With fewer cruise vessels coming to dock in the East End of Bermuda- even in peak season- there are less shoppers there. This has an impact on all of the town's retail shops that are reliant on pedestrian traffic. Barbara is contemplating doing some workshops at her location in St. George, but this remains in the idea phase.

At one point, our dinner discussion touched on caregiving and loss. I expressed that my own creative process has been dormant for quite a while, due to recent life events. "It's hard to create anything, when you feel as if you are in survival mode", I told her. 

Barbara reassured me that my inspiration will return. She explained her belief that there are times in life when we are meant to be still and reflective, and others when we are meant to be productive. While society continually pressures us to be constantly moving forward, it is actually healthy for us to change pace, when needed for our own wellbeing.

Later, when I mentioned the prevalence of colorful, bold folk art on her walls, she explained that it all came from Haiti. "You don't see artwork like that coming out of Haiti right now"- not after all that has happened there. "They are in a 'survival mode' of their own", she said.

It was interesting to discuss design motifs with Barbara. Clearly, she gets her inspiration from her surroundings and the sea. The sea turtle has been an especially popular design, she said. When asked what would be next, perhaps an Eagle Ray? She told me that she is still contemplating what to do- after her next series, which will be four uniquely distinct Mermaids- coming to life next year. 

I was fortunate to follow her into her studio to see an original mermaid illustration in ink- essentially her 'blank canvas' sketch, that will soon be decorated with watercolor. 

Like myself, Barbara tends to paint at her kitchen table, rather than in her studio, and on her outdoor veranda, surrounded by natural influences.

Her harborfront property is framed by rustic limestone walls that mimic horizontal chains of stone.  Rectangular cutouts have been overtaken by Fig Ivy, after many years of growth, creating a most unusual and tropical border for her creative compound. On the evening I was there, I had the good fortune to see a Whistling Frog stuck to Barbara's screen door. They come out to sing in the evening, but usually keep a low profile.

Finsness enjoys listening to books on tape, when she works- lengthy classics, such as "Moby Dick". "When one listens intently to a story and creates artwork with the hands at the same time, he/she is engaging both sides of the brain at the same time", she told me. 

Would a certain literary tale inspire a whale's tail in the near future? We will have to see!

I paid a visit to Barbara's shop after our first meeting- to capture her in her retail element, and to view some of her newer paintings that are not on display. A stack of paintings sat neatly on a shelf, just waiting to be enjoyed. 

Barbara Finsness plans to create artwork, as long as the spirit moves her- and as long as a favorable retail climate obliges. Her Hamilton shop is a veritable institution, and a favorite destination for local Bermudians and visitors, without question.

As Americans are becoming more and more fond of bargain hunting at Home Goods, it is so refreshing to walk into The Island Shop, and find a treasure that is not mass-produced. To the contrary, each item has already had a life of its own, prior to purchase. 

If only her designs could talk.

*With sincere thanks to Barbara Finsness for 

personally welcoming me into her artistic world.

What a privilege and a pleasure!