A New Schtick

Something really nice happened the other day, I was in a shop and as I was paying my bill the clerk said "Aren't you the artist who makes those little bird people?"It was quite surprising and I asked her how she knew and she said "I've seen your work in galleries and I really like it". I must say it was pretty cool.

Also very cool, here is one of my newest babies fresh out of the kiln. This series is small scale (5 inches). This piece is called Love On My Mind.

I am sculpting and getting ready for my show this summer in London, England. I will update you when I have more information and know which pieces I am bringing over. It is all so exciting.

Show at the Craft Gallery

Two weeks ago there were 4 openings that featured my work. This weekend there is one at the Craft Gallery in Lake Worth, Florida. Other artists participating in the show are Debra Fritts and Nancy Kubale Wicker. They are very talented artists and I really admire their work.
In need of more artwork to show I have been sculpting like a mad woman. As you can see from the photo it is a life size head, that will just barely fit into my little kiln (Chrissy). The piece is completely handbuilt. I kept a small mirror on the table while working and it is funny to see slight resemblances to my own face in the clay form. The piece stands 18 inches high and is green (unfired) in the photo accompanying this entry.

And They're Out

I just unloaded and even had time to photograph the work, which is a very good thing since I have to deliver the work to the gallery tomorrow morning. This photo shows the box with the drawer opened and you can see the lovely chartreuse color against the rich blue.

If you are in Lake Worth this Thursday evening at 5pm - 7 pm, stop by the PBCC Lake Worth Campus Jan and Gary Dario
Gallery. There will be plenty of free food and drink, and a whole lot of wonderful art.

One in the Oven

I finished glazing last night and since there was no school today in honor of Veteran's Day, I am happy to say the kiln is firing. As I type, the color inside the kiln is bright orange and I am waiting eagerly to hear the familiar sound of the kiln sitter tripping (which signals the end of the firing). I will be able to peak in before leaving for work in the morning.

This photo was taken just before I closed the lid of the kiln. I enjoy how the one piece looks like it is peaking out of the peep hole.

Ad in CHart Magazine

I thought I would post an ad that features Clay Glass Metal Stone Cooperative Gallery and will be appearing in CHart Magazine.

CHart magazine (formerly NOW magazine) is Central Florida's go-to source for creative expression and culture, culinary, couture, community and charity, entertainment and escapes, the art sand chART charity art collection. Their goal is to raise funds for charities and awareness for the arts.

On the Table

I have been getting ready for the faculty show at PBCC Lake Worth. One of the pieces I plan on showing accompanies this blog entry and is called Enquire Inspire (see wording stamped on surface).

The work is green (unfired) and unglazed in the photo, which is why it looks gray. What I find comical is notice how the figure on the left looks like he is holding the paint brush (don't I wish they would glaze themselves). The show opens in 10 days so I had better get glazing. Hoping to fire the work Wednesday (Veteran's Day). You can be sure I will post an image when the work comes safely out of Chrissy (my kiln, yes I named my kiln).

Hot Stuff

I have just signed up for an Esty account. If you are not familiar with Esty.com it is an online venue where artists and craftsmen can sell their hand made work. I am still in the process of building my shop. I have just unloaded a kiln and getting ready to put some little Vixie Chix up there.

The plan is to have several of the moderately priced and then a couple of the more high end pieces up there. You will be able to purchase through pay pal. So you can be confident your privacy is protected and your personal information is totally safe.

I will let you know when the shop is open for business.

Fun Picture

I was digging through old images here today and came across this little gem. The photo is of some of my brothers and sisters, and of course me. In all your days have you ever seen such peace loving bunch of kids?

From the front row: Virginia and Mike, second row: John, Art, Bob, and the back row is Kelly and me. I really dig Kelly's hair! If you wonder why I make such crazy little creatures, I think this is why. Think of the little hats on my creatures and then look at Kelly! Isn't that a kick? (I love you Kelz)

So to my barely younger sister Kelly, thanks for the inspiration.

New Web Site Layout

Today my newly redesigned website was uploaded. I had been adding to the old website for quite awhile and I felt it was getting cluttered. It's been streamlined and hopefully easier to navigate.

Most of the artwork shown on the site has already sold, which is a very good thing. The piece that accompanies this entry is a new wall hanging. I am continually creating more. In fact, I am getting ready to load a bisque kiln tomorrow. I have 5 pieces in that kiln that are going to be high fired in a wood kiln. I can wait to see the results. It's been a long time since I have participated in a salt, soda or wood firing. If you are interested in finding out about soda/wood firing please visit: Live Oak Pottery.

Delivered Work

This past weekend was a busy one. First, I celebrated my birthday on Labor Day (how appropriate, since birthdays are labor days for our moms).

Then I delivered a car load of new artwork to Florida Craftsmen Gallery. This piece is called Beach Baby. The heart on her tummy is a drawer so you can stash jewelry or other mementos inside her.

I also had an opening last Friday night at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth, Florida. The turn out was great. I saw a lot of students from PBCC. To all who made it a successful night, thank you.

New Work: Freestanding Vixie Chix

Thought I would upload an image of my newest Vixie Chicks. They are fresh out of the kiln and are ready to be adopted. They are small, standing about only 4 inches high so they don't take up too much space. Guaranteed to make you smile. I called this picture Chorus Line. Or maybe I should have called it police line up. You can buy them at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth, Florida and Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St. Petersburg Florida.

Lovely Last Week of Fun

This photo is of the Dicken's Inn a beautiful pub and hotel located in St. Katherine's Lock which is just a stones throw from Tower Bridge in London.
The flowers were absolutely lovely and sitting on the porch one could catch a glimpse of Tower Bridge. Honestly, not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

We arrived home last night and with a sad heart I say that vacation has ended. Back to life, back to reality...

The Leaving of Liverpool

Just back from a trip to Liverpool, England and my mind is swimming with Beatles songs. Nearly every shop you enter is playing The Beatles music. The Albert Dock is where you will find a good portion of Beatles shops such as the Fab Four and the Beatles Story. It is also the location of the Tate Liverpool,(which in my opinion blew the doors off both Tate's in London). We then wandered our way down to the Cavern Quarter and onto Matthew Street. This photo is actually Jody and I in the Cavern Club. Actually, this is two separate images of Jody and I and through the magic of photoshop, we are one.

River Thames

This is a shot taken of the River Thames in Richmond (London). We took a nice long leisurely walk along the river and watched the Canadian geese and Swans paddling around.

I can't iamgine ever growing tired of the architecture in London. There is so much to see aside from the usual Big Ben and St. Pauls. Small historic buildings dot the banks of the river. We went into a pub the other day on the river called the White Cross (very near the spot where this photo was taken). Seemingly it was built on an old Roman road and the building has been there before they began keeping records. It was a frequent watering hole for William the Orange. So much history to digest and so little time.

The White Cliffs

Yesterday we went down to the coast, had dinner with family, and were given a tour of the surrounding white cliffs.

They truly are an amazing sight to see. The bright white chalk contrast strongly against the water, grass and sky. It almost looks as if someone took a big white cake place it on a cobalt blue platter and randomly sliced into it.

Close to the edge the earth is crumbling away from erosion. Those areas actually sink down lower than the rest, almost like an old grave. I kept thinking tread carefully, that would be a new grave if the land gave way. Trust me, it's a long way to the bottom.

George and Pilgrim 2

Just wanted to put up another shot taken inside the lounge at the George and Pilgrim. This is looking out the front windows as daylight was slowly fading.

The size of the stones and how they've been smoothed and glisten like glass from countless human hands touching them over the past 5 centuries. The old leaded windows framed out with stained glass. We just don't have this sort of history back in the states. Since 1452 people have looked out these windows.

If you can't tell I really enjoyed the atmosphere during our stay at the George and Pilgrim.

George and Pilgrim Hotel

I had to post a picture of the hotel we stayed in while in Glastonbury, England. It is called the George and Pilgrim It was built circa 1452 and is located right in the town center. As you walk into the hotel there is the most fabulous lounge area. The ceilings are covered in thick dark beams and the floors creek and moan under the weight of your feet.
Speaking of floors, the floor in our room was so old and crooked that the bed actually was on a slope. I loved every crooked, creaking minute of our stay. So, if you are in Glastonbury, I highly recommend the George and Pilgrim if for nothing more than the aesthetics and the amazing history of the building.

The Rain in Spain

There actually is no rain in southern Spain, which is why it is so lovely and brown. We started out there but with 40 degrees (that is about 104 to my fellow Americans) and no a/c we high tailed it out of there. While we were there we mainly hid out from the sun. Here is where I spent a lot of my time, the balcony. I did a lot of painting. And reading. I read Eat, Love Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert. A very sweet book about traveling and finding oneself.
We are in England where it is much cooler (in more ways than one). Yesterday I spent the entire day in central London painting the architecture. Tower Bridge, The Tower of London, and of course Big Ben. Who knows what adventures today will bring.

A Week of Painting

Very long time no see. Since my last posting we've bought a house and moved, became the Chair of the Art Department, and joined a new co-op gallery called Clay Glass Metal Stone. No stress.(please note the sarcasm). Anyhow, the last of the boxes are opening and shelves in the studio are being reassembled. My summer teaching is nearing the end, so overall life is pretty darn good.
This was a busy week of painting. Yesterday morning I did touch ups at Rooney's pub, this morning I touched up Slainte's, then looked at a space for a new Mexican Restaurant where I may be painting, and this Tuesday I will be painting at a big bash at the Cottage in Lake Worth.

Seemingly it is in conjunction with the Breakers on Palm Beach. A DJ from South Beach and MTV will be there and amongst it all will be me painting something red and abstract. At the end of the night the painting will be auctioned off for charity. If you are in the area and you intend on stopping by the Cottage please be sure and wear something red, Red Hot Summer Night is the theme.

On A Roll

Gad zooks, I have been down the last 4 days with a horrible cold/flu. I have been lying here in bed dying to get my hands into some clay. Anyhow, thought I would put up a picture of one of my recent sculptures. Luckily enough I have been selling a lot of my work. The teapot in the previous entry sold. Which is great. The photo that accompanies this entry is a piece that sold in an exhibition at Eaton Fine Art in West Palm Beach. The piece is called Happy Girl. The proceeds for this piece were donated to a scholarship fund. Hopefully enabling a Happy Girl or Boy to afford school tuition.

Lots of new work to come. Laying here for 4 days unable to move, while the brain was dreaming up all sorts of crazy things.

Up Coming Show- Food For Thought

Just a quick entry to let you know about the Food For Thought Show at the PBCC Eissey Campus Art Gallery. February 24 - March 27.

The opening is Tuesday February 24 from 5- 8 pm. There will be food, drink and conversation. Hope to see you there. My piece Serving Up Memories just so happens to be on the invitation.

Vixie Chix

After a whole lot of pondering we finally have a product name for my clay figures: Vixie Chix. The people most near and dear refer to me as Vix, Vixter, or Vixie (my mom calls me Vixie). So, combine that with my female figures and voila! Before I did anything else I did an internet search to see if the domain names were available and luckily they were.

If you are not familiar with the process of building a website, you need a domain name. That is you internet address such as VictoriaRoseMartin.com. So I went to GoDaddy.com and checked for availability. Another good rule of thumb when you are buying a domain name, consider buying a variation as well. I bought VixieChix and VixieChicks. That way if someone isn't sure of the spelling if they try either or they still find my site.

The new site is in development. My goal is to design a site that is totally off the wall.(would you expect anything else from me??) My goal is to create a lot of animations and tell stories about the Vixie Chix. Sort of a wacko story book online.

The sculpture that accompanies this entry is called Swim for Shore. It is a tea pot and will be part of the Mad Hatter Tea Pot Show at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach. Have a fun day!

New Project Released

My dear friend Margaret Ann Lembo has just released another meditation cd called Think Good Thoughts. My incredibly talented husband Jody Pollard did the all of the studio recording, mixing, and created the background music that accompanies Margaret's spoken word. While I created the artwork and did the graphic design layout for the cd.

As Margaret was writing the script for the cd she said butterfly was dancing past her window which is why the cover features an image of a butterfly.The butterfly is also a metaphor for transformation which is hopefully what will occur after listening to the cd.

The sound is crisp and clear and Margaret's words are inspirational. You can purchase the cd at the Crystal Garden in Boynton Beach and at Whole Foods in South Florida.

Mitchell Hedges Crystal Skull

Last night I attended a function at the Boynton Beach Women's Club where they hosted the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull.If you aren't familiar with the skull it is a clear quartz crystal sculpture the size and shape of a human skull estimated to be as much as 120 centuries old. Known as the Mitchell-Hedges Skull, after the name of its discoverer, it is an object of fantastic sculptural perfection. No other quartz crystal sculpture approaches its quality; even the British Museum’s crystal skull, discovered in Mexico in 1889, is classed as a “rough cut” in comparison.(I got to see the British Museum skull last summer.) This skull was so clear and I was amazed to see the jaw is hinged.

Jody did the sound for the event so I got to slip onto stage and get a picture with the skull. I was sort of afraid to get too close. Can you imagine bumping the table and knocking it over? I could, which is why I am so far away from the table.

The highlight of the night had to be when the man who owns the skull arrived. I was checking people in at the door and he gave me his name, and it wasn't on the list. He said "they called me and asked me to come". I said they called you and your name isn't on the list? Then I noticed he was carrying a big silver box with a huge padlock. Oops! Yes, sir right this way!

You can see my friend Margaret in the background of this picture. She is the owner of the Crystal Garden and a lovely person (she hosted the event). Big thanks to Margaret.

New Platter and Centerpiece

Here is a new sculpture titled Serving up Memories. It is made of ceramic and an antique rollerskate. The work was made specifically for the platter show at PBCC.(where I teach)

There are 4 platters and a centerpiece.
The platters are decorated to look like pavement, complete with hopscotch and zebra stripes. It speaks of childhood days spent playing outside until you were called to dinner.

I have to build a few demo pieces for a workshop I will be giving at the Ceramic League of the Palm Beaches at the Craft Gallery. Watch for those images soon!

2009 is Gonna Be Fine!

Hopefully 2009 will bring better times for everyone. Although 2008 had a few low points you have to admit it had a lot of high points, and that is what's important. Focus on the good and be grateful for what you have.

And on this New Years Day I would like to send a little wish to everyone:

May you laugh so hard you pee your pants, smile so much your cheeks hurt, and may your life be so much fun you can't believe it's your own. (that's how I feel)

Happy New Year!