Orange Crate, A Florida Vintage Postcard Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

Florida citrus was being shipped everywhere in the US in plain wooden crates until around 1904. To compete with the rising industry in California, Florida growers created distinctive labels which were pasted to the ends of the crates. The labels had art depicting Florida's exotic flowers, birds and animals. Gift crates were stenciled on the sides "from Florida", guaranteeing that people would know these were Florida oranges! This was inspired by a vintage Florida postcard and painted on canvas. I have painted others on masonite. 5 x 7" original oil.

The Orange Picker, a Florida Vintage Postcard Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

Citrus groves shaped Florida's history. The first groves were planted in the 1500's by Spanish explorers, and, by the late 1800's, workers had poured into the state to pick oranges from the thriving trees. Picked at the peak of freshness, oranges were put into
shoulder sacks, emptied into crates and then shipped all over the US. Oranges helped make Florida famous! 5 x 7" original oil painting. Part of my vintage "Postcards from Florida" painting project.

Weeki Wachee Mermaid, a Vintage Florida Oil Painting by Judy Batterson

Weeki Wachee Springs was quite a big attraction in Florida from the 1940's -70's. The mermaid show was great underwater entertainment. Mermaids used tubes of air as they performed gracefully. Today Weeki Wachee Springs is a State Park and has Florida's only spring fed water park, along with canoes, kayaks,and a revival of the mermaid shows. 5 x 7" original oil.