Lazy River Book Club

7/6/2026

This painting wasn't supposed to have any people in it.

When I started, I simply wanted to paint a winding tropical lazy river filled with white inner tubes drifting through the water.
I loved the peaceful feeling of it, but after a while I realized something was missing. It needed a little life—but not the kind of busy, noisy activity you usually associate with water parks.

Lazy River Book Club, a 36 x 24 original acrylic painting featuring women reading books while floating in white inner tubes along a tropical lazy river with palm trees, colorful umbrellas, and bright island colors.

Then it came to me.
What if it wasn't just a lazy river? What if there were women reading? Sounds right!

And what do we call a group of women friends who read books together?

A Book Club 👍
And so, this painting suddenly had a backstory.
The Lazy River Book Club doing what they do best.

What fun!

I started adding women floating quietly in the tubes, each completely absorbed in her own book.
They're together, sharing the same beautiful afternoon, but each enjoying her own little escape.

That idea made me smile, and suddenly the painting had a story.

I imagined a place where the only agenda was finding a comfortable float, opening a good book, and letting the current do the rest.

No schedules. No rushing. Just sunshine, tropical palms, bright umbrellas, and the simple pleasure of getting lost in a great read.

Artist Maggie Ruley stands beside her original acrylic painting, Lazy River Book Club, a 24 x 36-inch gallery-wrapped canvas featuring a bird's-eye view of women floating in white inner tubes while reading books along a winding tropical lazy river with palm trees, sandy islands, and bright coral beach umbrellas.

I have a feeling there are a lot of women who would happily sign up for this kind of book club.

Lazy River Book Club is an original acrylic painting on a 24 x 36-inch gallery-wrapped canvas, with the image continuing around the edges so it's ready to hang without a frame.

If you'd like to see all the details, additional photos, or make it yours, you'll find Lazy River Book Club here.

LAZY RIVER BOOK CLUB: FIND OUT MORE

About Maggie

I'm a Key West artist creating colorful original paintings inspired by island life. My working studio and gallery are on Fleming Street in Old Town, where visitors are always welcome.

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