Painting the Pub: Slainte

Well, I have been painting my arms and shoulders off. Or at least they feel as if they are going to fall off! Despite my whining Slainte is looking great (if I must say so myself). Thus far, I have been working on the massive ceilings.

Slainte is going to be a big, clean and bright pub with a lot of custom features such as a wrought iron tree, massive stone fireplace and decorative scroll work.

I have realized lately that I have now have done work for: Rooney's Pubs in Abacoa, Jog Road & Clematis Street, Brogues on the Avenue, Kingston's Irish Times, T.P. Hoolihan's in Fort Myers & Spider Murphy's. I have become quite the Irish Pub painter. Anyhow, I will post more images when I have more progress to show. I anticipate having the ceilings completed in the next day or two, depending on the construction workers getting their piles off the floor.

INATS East

I have been preparing for the INATS East Conference (International New Age Trade Show) at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando Florida on January 26th. I will discussing the importance of having an online presence.

The basic theme of my speech is: Today there are so many free or low cost alternatives to having a large expensive web site. You can buy a domain name very inexpensively with companies such as GoDaddy or WebMasters and while you are there you can build a site using one of their online templates. Or if you don't mind a challenge, build one from scratch using software such as Frontpage or Dreamweaver.

The point being, there really is no excuse to not have some form of web exposure. For example, this blog on blogger is absolutely free. One can sign up for a home page on Google, absolutely free. There is Facebook, or MySpace, which are social networks where you can connect with people, sell things or look for jobs. Who hasn't heard of YouTube? Why couldn't you post a video of yourself doing something interesting and informative? Or post a podcast of a seminar on i-tunes?

Basically, if you are providing a service that people want or need, then you ought to have an online presence. Be sure you have links on your site. They can help you have better ranking in search engines. The last thing you want is a dead-end site. Oh, and be sure to let people know you are indeed online. Send your friends, family and email contacts your links. It is all about networking on the world wide web.

Angel Platter

Upon making the decision to quit my job I said "Alright Universe, if I have made the right choice please give me a sign." That very same day I received in the mail a copy of a beautiful book which includes my artwork, 500 Handmade Dolls, a large Graphic Design commission, and invitations to take part in two separate art shows!

One of the exhibitions was at Project Space, which coincided with Art Miami.

The other exhibition is a platter show based on Judy Chicago's, art installation The Dinner Party. I was compelled to sculpt the "guardian angel" platter (seen in the photos to the right).

The platter is hand sculpted from clay, and is unfired in these photos. I am not sure yet how I will glaze the piece. I am leaning towards keeping it sort of earthy by using oxides or by burnishing it with terra sigillata. If you have suggestions, please send them. I will keep you posted.

Victoria Rose Martin's Blog

Don't quit your day job? Too Late! I did. Prior to leaving the 9-5 routine I was so worried with logical thoughts such as "how will I eat?" Then my goofy artistic side would rear its head to reply "yeah, but you will be nice and skinny if you don't eat." Now after all of the worry and stress, I still can't believe how great it feels being a full time artist again.

Upon earning two separate Masters Degrees in Fine Art I happily accepted a job in the corporate world as a Graphic Designer. Don't get me wrong, I loved the actual work, and I still work as a freelance Graphic Designer as well as an Artist. However, I began wishing away weekdays, praying for Friday so I could have time to make art. Being confined to a tiny office day in and day out began to kill my spirit.

A die hard optimist, I heard Joseph Campbell's words to "follow your bliss" ringing in my head. So, I did. My message is to follow your heart. Enjoy life and most importantly; be happy. This is my journey.