One of the saddest sights we are faced with now on the streets of America are the vacant retail shops that once housed our favorite things. While the digital world is taking over, the remnants of brick and mortar are really so ugly to look at.

One Miami artist decided to do something about it. Jayda Knight, an artist at Textile & Wall Coverings, and art advisor at Williams McCall Gallery, has created window coverings (staging) for many of the vacant stores on Lincoln Road. Her watercolor designs are made with ink, pen and acrylic.

Jayda is thrilled that her designs are bringing new energy to retail. People walking along Lincoln Road are now looking at one abstract masterpiece after another. It certainly provides a great shopping atmosphere.

Jayda was born in Istanbul, brought up in Geneva, and studied at the Rhode Island School of Design where she was drafted by one of her teacher/advisors to work on set design for Saturday Night Live. Those were the days of Jimmy Fallon.

After many years of working all day and partying all night, she moved to Miami to pursue her career in art. She believes Miami is quickly becoming a serious art city.

Eliot and I met with Jayda today to discuss using one of her designs, or an exclusive one, for the foyer of our condo. Anyone who sees her work wants to be surrounded by them everyday. Eliot and I might get lucky.