PEPE’S CAFE © 1989

Key West

Photographic Story When I came across Pepe’s Café and learned that it was established in 1909 and was the oldest cafe in the Florida Keys, I had to take a photo. I later found that Pepe’s was the second oldest eatery in Florida, second only to the original Columbia in Tampa (est. 1905). I love the contrast between these two iconic restaurants. While the Columbia restaurant has multiplied to at least seven locations throughout Florida, Pepe’s has occupied the same space since the days when President Harry Truman was a regular. The Art of Hand Painting Black and White Photographs Niki prints her images on fiber-base black and white mat surface paper in the darkroom, then using Q-tips and cotton balls, she applies a thin coat of oil paint over the surface allowing the image to gently be seen through the oil paint. Archival Print Making Niki’s open edition gicleé artwork is printed on Sunset Bright Velvet Rag matte finish paper using eight archival inks. A state-of-the-art Epson Stylus Pro printer creates deep, rich dark values that hold subtle detail in the shadows as well as bright vivid colors that are truly tropical.