Save the Arts Animation

I found this animation by David Shrigley on You Tube and thought I would share it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6rYDaORe3k&feature=player_embedded

Victoria Rose Martin- Florida Craftsmen Gallery

Florida Craftsmen Gallery shows sculptures evoking oil spill - St ...
I don't know about you, but in this summer of the oil spill, I can hardly bear to look at photographs of slimed birds and sea animals, not to mention read ...
www.tampabay.com/features/visualarts/article1110067.ece

More Prague

This image was taken last night at Prague Castle. The spires of the cathedral looked so lovely from our hotel room so we just had to take a late night walk to get a closer look. Prague is quite picturesque.

One downer is we have discovered that a lot of the local restaurants prey on tourists. For example, they will bring a basket of bread to your table and even if you don't touch it or order it, you are charged for it. The same applies with almonds, pretzels so if they bring a serving of both you are charged for both. Some places even apply a cover charge without announcing. My advice is to beware, ask before you are seated, and check your bill.

Prague, Czech Republic

Day three in Prague, CZ. These images are day and night views of the city near Prague Castle. The city is situated on the Vltava River in the center of Bohemia and has served as the political, cultural and economic center of the Czech state for more than 1,100 years. Pretty amazing considering the USA only celebrated our 234th birthday on the 4th of July.
The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. During WWII the city suffered only a few bombings therefore most of the architecture is as it was hundreds of years ago.

British Museum

If you haven't guessed by now, I am totally addicted to the British Museum. We've been in London a week and I have already been three times and I may go again later today.

Here is a piece found the other day while wandering the museum. It is a decorative shield from Flanders and it is believed it may have been a prize a knight received for competing in a tournament. It is made from wood is dated approximately 1475-1500.

Tomorrow we head off to Prague. Yesterday we got up and said "what about a side trip?"Today do yourself a favor, instead of asking WHY ask yourself WHY NOT?

Bob's Boat

I thought I would put a photo up of something that was dear to my brother Bob. When we were here two years ago I had sent him a photo of this boat and he affectionately called it "his boat". He told me that he let the people here in Ireland think it was theirs.

As we drove up the road and I saw the little blue boat come into view it made me quite sad. So in memory of my dear brother Bob I am posting a photo of "his boat".

Where ever he is right now I am sending love and peace.

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My Favorite Places

This is absolutely one of my favorite places on the planet. Affectionately known as "my bridge". Give me a sunny day, a stroll by the Thames, maybe stop off for a pint late in the afternoon, more walking and great conversation.

While in London Jody and I wear pedometers and on average we walk 5 miles per day. You just don't get that here in Florida because we are so reliant on automobiles. That is one of the things I miss the most when we get home.

The London Eye

Jody and I took a great "flight" up the London Eye last night just before sunset. Attached are an image of a view of Westminster from atop the eye and the London Eye from Westminster Bridge.

Talented Students

I just had to post this image. Today I received a BEAUTIFUL gift from a student (and new friend). It is the black and white pendant shown in the top row of the gallery of images. The pendant was made by a very talented artist and designer Shana Zingman of Zing Thing Studios.

If you are interested in beautiful glass jewelry or graphic design visit Shana's website.

The Rumbling Volcano

A volcano... really? Has my life really become a soap opera? My work will be part of an exhibition at SDC Gallery in London beginning on May 5 "God willing and the creeks don't rise" or should I say "God willing and the volcano stops spewing".

This piece is called Grow and it is approximately 13 inches high, ceramic with underglazes, oxides and stains. So if you are in London from May 5- August 7, 2010 stop by the gallery and see some of my work.

Mom

It's been a rough week because my mother died last Sunday. My brother Bob and I drove up to Gainesville Sunday morning and got to be with her as she died.

This photo was taken last fall at my birthday party and shows Bob, mom, and me. I have kept photos like this very close at hand this week to help remember the good times. Live while you are alive and do whatever you can to be happy. I love you mom.

Show at SDC Opens May 4th

The kiln has been firing and my hands have been sculpting pretty much non stop for the past few months. I have been working on my body of work to bring over to SDC Gallery in London, England where I will be taking part in the Summer Collection.

SDC is located in the East End of London (24 Rivington Street) and is an absolutely lovely space. The Summer Collection opens on May 4th and ends August 7, 2010. Hopefully those of you on the other side of the pond will come opening night. Address and directions can be found on the galleries direction page.

The sculpture accompanying this entry will be in the show. It is handbuilt ceramics, slips, oxides, underglazes and overglazes. (c. 4" x 3" x 2").

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is a fundraiser for the Armory Art Center Artist-in-Residence programs in ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and painting.

I have 3 pieces in the show, one shown here titled "Off With Her Head" that will be auctioned tomorrow. The Armory asks that you bring your "wild and wacky hat" and "bid on their silent auction of hand-made contemporary teapots created by local and national artists". Awarded "The Best Luncheon in Palm Beach" by The Palm Beach Post's Tom Smith.

Rabbits

Here is a new standing piece called Give. She is approximately 5 inches in height and is mixed media (metal, clay and wood). Rabbits are multiplying in my studio. I just love sculpting their ears.

While I am out running I quite often stumble upon small brown rabbits that hop into my path. I don't know who gets more startled, me or them. This little rabbit has the word Give upon her chest. A gentle reminder to always give more than you take and to keep your basket wide open for the universe to fill.

Glazed Buffalo Girl

The kiln is unloaded and thank God all is well. A few weeks back I posted three little buffalo gals, here is one all glazed and finished.

She is small scale and the figure measures approximately 5 inches from horn to tail. The base is approximately 4 inches. What I like about these little guys is we all have quiet little spaces in our homes just right for a small piece of art. Remember my Etsy shop is now opened for business, watch for new listings regularly.

I am totally inspired, I went to Art Palm Beach today and my mind is racing with new ideas. Back to my sketchbook.

Etsy is Up and Running

Finally, at long last I uploaded work to Etsy. I was really whipping the guilts on myself for not doing it sooner.

If you would like to visit my Etsy Shop click on this link and view my online store. All of the work is quite small in scale, affordable and ready to ship.

I am waiting to open my kiln (I fired today). Tomorrow morning is going to be like Christmas day. It's always the same routine, I tippy toe out to the garage in my pj's, crack the kiln and pray the kiln Gods were good to me. Lots of rabbit creatures in the newest batch, watch for new images in the next few days.

Palm Beach State- January 12

On January 12 there are big changes at PBCC. That is the day we become Palm Beach State College. The College began offering its first Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Supervision and Management in fall 2009. It is seeking state approval to offer additional bachelor's degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in nursing and B.A.S. in information management technology. Rumor mill has it that a BFA may soon be on its way!

New Year, New Work

I just took this picture of my studio table. I just changed the paper and turned the Roomba loose so the place is presentable again. That is until I start yanking out bottles of glaze.

I decided to try a terra cotta body for a change. The work is for the Mad Hatter Tea Pot show to be held in March at the Armory Art Center. Each piece has an Alice in Wonderland vibe. The large piece is Alice's head with a flamingo and the two smaller pieces are Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb in top hat tea cups.