The Body is Home

My bones are in Florida but my brain is back up in northern New York. However, I return to Florida renewed and inspired. The reward after a morning run was 2 large coconut coffees and the best seat in the village park.  When I was a kid I remember

our class would go to the park to sketch or explore. When I am there now I rediscover my long lost 10 year old self. She's still in there. She emerged while I was tip toeing along the riverbank when I spotted a mink playing along the waters edge. Also while I watched black squirrels running spirals along the trunk of a tree. There is no charge for observing the beauty around you. It's free.

The color of the sunset, the village dock, familiar signs and banners, white fluffy clouds and how the blue sky pops against it. All this makes me happy and it's free.

Now I ask you: what makes you happy? And (more important) are you doing what makes you happy? Are you doing something to bring yourself closer to your happy place? We make decisions every day. To go to work or not. To smile at the clerk selling us that cup of coffee, letting that car into traffic instead of beeping your horn and shouting. And it goes on and on. You can be just as sad in a big mansion as you can in a $2 hotel room. Or while in the village park with coffee balancing on your knee.

Look for beauty in every day events. They are all around us. Are you unhappy? Then ask yourself what is the opposite of your sadness or feelings of self doubt? And how will that change things?

Is it city or country? Alone or with someone? Me, I've decided that I am going to do my best to buy a small summer get away in my hometown. Damn it. I will make it happen. I will have a studio in that house, trailer, etc. This summer I realized that I liked the person I was while I am on the St. Lawrence River. That person was truly inspired by small things. For about 2 months prior to going home I felt stuck. No ideas. I asked myself should I keep making art? Perhaps you have you done the same?

I was just so tired. Life can get you bogged down and I just wanted to say, please don't let it. Find that thing or that happy place in you. People who don't support your efforts for happiness should be tuned out. Look after yourselves. And thanks for listening.

Bay House Artisan's Gallery Alexandria Bay, New York

My pieces have been delivered and installed in Bay House Artisan's Art Gallery.

 The pieces were made for The Thousand Islands. A lot of castles, and river related themes.

 When I had finished installing the double figure I walked into another room and I heard a little girl squeal with delight as she ran up to my piece and her mom snapped a pic. So if you're in Alex Bay stop by and visit the kids.

Into the Woods

For the first time in a week I have internet! Been staying with my sister in deep in the woods. Lots of inspiration all around me.

Jody watching a bald eagle flying around the lake.

My sister Virginia at her camp (this sand dune happens to be an ancient Native American burial mound). Great energy.

And lastly Rollie (my sister's dog) cooling off in Muskellunge Lake. So quiet here that there's only the sound of the wind and water. Heaven.

St. Lawrence River Rats by Victoria Rose Martin

I've been getting pieces together for the Bay House Artisan's in Alexandria Bay, NY. I've created a series of pieces call River Rats. That's the name given to people who spend a lot of time on the St. Lawrence. The pieces are based on memories of swimming at the Village Park and at Aunt Margaret's cottage at Clear Lake. We weren't allowed near the dock without out life jackets you know.

Ta da!! You'll notice these kids are standing. The bases resemble the rocks that jut from the St. Lawrence River. Some are glazed to have the look of moss and water lines. They also have holes in their backs so they can be hung on a wall too.

I am getting ready to send a few smaller pieces to the gallery in the next day or two. When we head up in July I am bringing the larger pieces with the girls riding on the castle. So if you're in Northern New York this summer make a trip to Alexandria Bay to visit the kids.

Bay House Artisans in Alexandria Bay, NY

You'll be able to purchase my work or at least see it at Bay House Artisans on James Street in my hometown Alexandria Bay, NY. I am currently making a few pieces with a North Country vibe. Don't worry, they'll still have my same weird feel they'll just have more Boldt Castle and river things involved. So if you're in Northern New York this summer stop by Bay House and visit my kids and look for me trotting around with a big goofy grin. (what else is new)

Busy Bee

Well the weather here in Florida has broken, it's perfection if I must say so myself. We've shut off the a/c and are enjoying the cooler weather. I just finished shooting images of the new work that was pulled out of the kiln today. I love the pictures that I got today. Not sure if it's the lighting outside, maybe it's the colors that I used when I glazed, I don't know but the images are just popping. The lighting is so dramatic. Probably just dumb luck (given my photography skills)

I am calling this piece Count To Nine. It's a double and it stands about 20 inches high. The title once again making reference to siblings in my family.

I am actually really busy, I've got a commission to make a life sized double figure and more galleries are selling out and need more work. Whew.  A good complaint to have. I've actually been really bad this week, repainting my living room instead of working in the studio. I've got some new wall pieces I am going to post on Etsy. Watch for those shortly.

There's No Place Like Home

This past weekend I went home to Alexandria Bay in Northern New York.  Maybe it's getting older, maybe it's a need to feel grounded but I needed to go. While there we celebrated my sister Virginia's birthday and she gifted me with 4 sets of deer antlers. (me doing the happy dance) Oh, get ready to see more deer women in my work people. The weather was perfect, and my sister took us out into the deep woods to her camp on her Polaris Ranger (Four Wheeler). We saw deer (of course), dug around for arrow heads, and I could feel my soul drinking it all in. The photos accompanying this entry are Boldt Castle and the village dock in the Bay. If you've never been up that way it's a beautiful part of the country.

Happy 4th of July

We've survived the move. We're bit bruised and extremely exhausted but in one piece. Man, I hope it's a while before we do this again. Thank you to our friends who braved the 100 degree temps to unload the U-Haul. We've been adjusting to the new sounds that come along with our new house. and Jody and I have both picked out our new studios and I am happy to say that both have gorgeous views of the pool.

I've been having a love affair with the pool and the front porch here at the new house. As a matter of fact tonight we've been sitting on the porch watching the moon rise and it was so pretty that I just had to find the camera and snap a picture. The 4th of July is my absolute favorite holiday. It brings back childhood memories of swimming at Aunt Margaret's, going to cookouts and eating burnt hot dogs, roasting marshmallows, and watching fireworks over Boldt Castle in my hometown of Alexandria Bay, NY. So, on the eve before the fireworks and summer at its best, I ask you to have a hotdog or two with extra mustard, and I promise to do the same.

Slainte Faux Update

Everyday we go to work it is like Christmas morning. Which new pieces will you find installed? The good news, the ceilings are done! It was great painting them. I did a bit of veining near the edges where the ceiling and walls meet, so it gives the feel of age and wear to the clean & bright pub.

I am particularly fond of the ceiling near the fire place. I grew up in the cold snow belt along the St. Lawrence River known as the Thousand Islands in a little town called Alexandria Bay, New York and remember how our Ben Franklin wood-stove used to totally smoke up the house. It gave our ceilings (and lungs) the same smokey effect, although we weren't looking to achieve the aged look in either place.

I digress. The faux is so light and clean. We're days away from starting the spot art. The base wall color is done and for obvious reasons it is easier to conceptualize the placement of spot art once the bar fixtures are installed. Once I get a few pieces dropped in I will upload another image so you can watch the progress.