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Morning on Eugenia Street
- Danielle Jones
- Oct 1
- 2 min read
There’s something special about Eugenia Street on Kiawah Island.
The first time I walked beneath its canopy of live oaks, the air felt still and golden, with sunlight streaming through the branches in soft patches. The rhythm of the island seemed to slow there—like time itself was taking a deep breath.
As I strolled along the quiet road, I noticed the charm tucked into every corner: weathered porches, swaying palms, and the faint sound of the ocean somewhere in the distance. Later, as I looked back through my photos from that morning, one little yellow house caught my eye. I hadn’t even noticed it while walking—tucked among the trees, with a palm tree growing right through the roof!
It was quirky, full of character, and it made me smile. I knew right away that this house would inspire my next painting.
Eugenia Street isn’t just beautiful—it’s a piece of history.
In 1950, C.C. Royal, a lumberman and developer from Aiken, South Carolina, purchased Kiawah Island for $125,000 and named its first developed street after his wife, Eugenia Mae Royal. What began as a gesture of love and partnership became the foundation for what would one day grow into the Kiawah Island we know today.
The name “Eugenia” itself comes from the Greek word eugenia meaning “well-born” or “noble.” It carries a quiet grace and strength—fitting for a street that holds so much of the island’s story within its winding path.
The painting, titled Morning on Eugenia Street, is an acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches. I challenged myself to use only five paint colors, mixing every shade by hand. That creative limitation brought unexpected freedom, allowing the soft tones and gentle light of that morning to shine through.
Framed and freshly released from a private collection, Morning on Eugenia Street is now available for sale. It’s a love letter to the quiet beauty of the Sea Islands—a reminder that inspiration often hides in the details we almost overlook.
See y’all soon,
Danielle
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