Barbados Visual Arts Magazine March 2019 Issue

For those of you who love the arts, each month I will be sharing with you a monthly online Arts magazine edited and published by Artist and Photographer Corrie Scott called Barbados Visual Arts.  When I used to come down to Barbados, this was my go-to publication because it has practically everything that is happening creatively around the Island.  Also remember to check out the Barbados Arts Events Facebook Group for more events.

In this Issue you will find the following and more:

Gallery openings, arts workshops, reviews, featured artists and more. The cover painting is by Artist Joanna Whittaker.

FEATURED EXHIBITIONS

Artist Heidi Berger ‘My Sister and I’. Hosted by Frame & Art Gallery.

Weaver artist Sylvester Clarke ‘Expressions’ Curated by Artist Alliance Barbados. Hosted by Norman Centre

Artist Walter Bailey Curated by Artist Alliance Barbados. Hosted by Norman Centre.

Group Show at The Barbados Arts Council Gallery.

STUDIO TOURS

Featured artists in the Open Studio Tours collaboration with CaFA and Artist Alliance Barbados on Thursday March 7th and Fri March 8th

FEATURED ARTISTS

Artist Joanna Whittaker

Artist Ann Rudder

BPS March theme of ‘Fine Art & Abstracts’

FEATURE

‘Creativity Is The Foundation Of A Strong Community’ by Sarah Thomson

Plus many individual pages of art and photography. With added arts events, open studios and workshops.

Also check out some of the previous issues of the Magazine, there are some great articles and information about the artists on the island.

A big Thank you goes out to Corrie Scott who pulls all this together for FREE each and every month.  

Do SHARE the information and support the arts and artists in Barbados, and make sure that you put the events in your diary, you won't want to miss them!!

For now, stay blessed and be a blessing, if you want to know more information about anything in particular you can leave a message in the comments or on the Facebook.

Review - Paperless Post

I was asked to do a review on a company called Paperless Post, and to see what I thought about their services, and it couldn't have come at a better time, because of the service that they offer.

I have been in between homes in London and Barbados and with birthdays, anniversaries and more often coming up I am always looking for a way to remember to send that card for that special person, and stay in touch with friends and family.  Often I have used social media to say Happy Birthday greetings, but receiving a card has always been my preference in this fast paced life.

Paperless post seems to cover two areas in one sweep with their online Invitations, Cards and Flyers.  It is much more special receiving an electronic card rather than a one line message on social media and you can send greeting cards and more via their site.

They are also great for those planning an event and need to send out invitations locally and around the world, and you are able to track whether the card has been opened.  So for those planning weddings and parties you can get a better idea of numbers and following up on your invited guests - all you need is their email address.  You can receive cards as well, and send a reply from your account and keep track of who you have sent a card to.

Paperless Post partnered with designers and lifestyle brands, delivering millions of cards around the world and have an impressive range of designs that you can alter to your own specifications, whether it is the colour, text, backgrounds, and the inside of the envelope.  You can also upload your own designs, and as an artist I love the idea of being able to upload my work and send as a greeting card.

A drawing I created and will upload as an online card

You can send a standard online card for free, for additional functions you will have to purchase coins to use to edit the cards and get a selection of online envelopes. You can purchase 100 coins for $20.  You can create a standard card with text details and envelope for around 6 coins, which is about 1.2 cents per card!!.  If you are sending out invitations and in volume then you will need additional coins which you can purchase to meet your needs.

Flyers are another thing that I am always creating and you are also able to create online invitation fliers that you can post on social media, or send to your mailing list and receive a response to you invitations and keep track of the attendees.

For those of you who still want to send a printed card you can do so.  Paperless Post have a print partner called Paper Source, they have a minimum order quantity of 20.  But you are also able to print your own cards using a design and templates they provide you can do it yourself and add your own spice to the overall look, and is great if you are on a budget.

One of the things I like most about Paperless Post is that I can schedule cards to go out to loved ones.  I can design all the cards for the birthdays coming up, or just send a 'just because' card and then schedule them to go out for specific dates, and they have access to the cards immediately.  So what you waiting for, check it out and let me know how you get on.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Come and join me on Patreon

Join me HERE

Thinking about doing a class?

Resolutions Exhibition - Argentina Embassy, Barbados

It was a blessing to be one of the artists chosen to exhibit in the Argentina Embassy in Barbados, and the opening evening was a great success with an amazing group of people who were able to spend time talking to the artists.

Visitors to the Exhibition

Ambassador Carlos Marcelo Salord and Minister for Creative Economy Culture and Sport - John King addressing the gathering

 I had two pieces of work on display, hanging sculptures.  I had decided that I wanted to present the sculptures in a different way.  They can also stand up

Precious Jewel Sister, Mixed Media - Amanda Trought

 They were lovely to create and incorporate a variety of materials and embellishments which taps into my love for mixed media.

Earth Metal Sister - Mixed Media - Amanda Trought

I have a few exhibitions coming up over the next few months and will be sharing the work and details

Sculptures making their way home

 All work is for for sale should one speak to you and they will be posted on my website

Sculptures Details - Earth Metal Sister, Amanda Trought

Sculptures detail - Precious Jewel Sister - Amanda Trought

As usual it is great having you here, and I will be posting more regularly and have some exciting projects to share with you, and a few challenges for you to take part in as well

2019 Podcasts, Courses and Bonuses

Well we made it through to the 2019, and I started working on a new series on my Podcast called 'Creating in Faith' which helps you look at your creative practice and with suggestions and journey insights.  What happens when you are asked to do something that takes you out of your comfort zone?  Say 'yes sure I can do that' while I freaking out on the inside?

I was asked to lead an online group in a weekly practice and by the time it came for me to get on with it I realized that it wasn't as big of an issue that I was making it and if I just let go of the doubts and the fear I could actually enjoy the process.

I want to share that journey with you in which I had to lean upon my faith to get through, some days I didn't want to create in such a disciplined way but I pressed through, because I realized that the growth was in the journey.  

Each Monday I will be sharing insights - using a different word each week as a starting point, and encourage you to take some time to be creative in some way.  Don't make excuses why you can't, would've or could've but find some solid reasons to give yourself the time and stick to it.  I suggest that if it is not something you are used to doing then you start off with say 10 - 20 minutes - you should be able to find that time for yourself on a daily basis, or break it down if you have to into smaller chunks say 5 minutes - there is a lot you can do in that time.

This weeks title 'Leap' encourages us to step up and step out - feeling the fear, but doing it anyway!   I encourage you to make time to work on yourself, your dreams and goals and put things in place that will see you achieve those things that you always wanted to do.

While you are there, check out some of the other episodes that I have created.

The Mixed Media Play Date Online course that I will be teaching on has started!  I would love you to come and join us.  I have a selection of bonuses that you can get when you sign up using my link - Check them out HERE.

May 2019 be the year that you unfold your gifts, shine your light and be a blessing to you and others.

Happy New Year 2019

Here is wishing you a Happy New Year!!!

Stay blessed and be a blessing!!

You have Everything You Need to Start!

You have everything you need.  Sometimes it might not seem that way but you really have.  I don't always believe it myself especially in those times of self doubt and feelings of fear, but deep down I know that I have available to me the tools that I need to use to do the things that I enjoy doing.

What you need to do is break things down, step back and look with fresh eyes.

Check out the podcast to hear more!

Remember when you make things more complicated than they need to be you miss the opportunities that come wrapped up in simple packaging.  Take time to reflect and remind yourself what is truly important to you and take a step in the direction of your dreams - if you need permission to take the step, use the slip below!!  Have fun and take lots of photos!!

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Mixed Media Play Date - Registration is OPEN!!

Click HERE For More Info

The Mixed Media Play Date Registration is NOW OPEN and I am very excited to be among the AMAZING artist instructors who will bring you awesome lessons and inspiration throughout 2019!

This is a new mixed media collaboration intended to bring you endless inspiration, amazing fun, freedom in creativity and community like no other.  Hosted by Tiare Smith, you’ll be immersed in happiness, gratitude and fun from day one. 

And if you think you don’t have enough time to create, if you don’t know where to begin, if your inner critic keeps talking and you need someone to lift you up and shut her up, if you need inspiration or you simply want to find your own inner voice the Mixed Media Play Date is for you! Designed to teach, be a guide, inspiration and a friendly place for you to be yourself and thrive! Oh and AMAZING FUN and LIVE STREAMED MIXED MEDIA PLAY DATES!!!!

I know some of your are excited! GRAB YOUR SPOT NOW!

 

EARLY BIRD PRICING, be sure to enter code: PLAYDATE at checkout to save 20% good till December 25, 2018.  

 

Wait.... there is MORE!

BONUS GIFTS

For those of you who sign up for the course using my link I have several bonuses (worth over $40) to give away as a special Thank You!!

25 Ways to fit Art & Creativity into Your Life

Art Journal Bundle - Series 1

I Speak Life - Encouraging Words

You can check out the Bonuses and sign up HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Mixed Media Play Date - Winner Announced!

The Winner for the competition is:

Welcome to today's post, if you missed all the excitement we were talking about the Mixed Media Play Date course and I had a place on the course to giveaway. 
You can check it out HERE


Congratulations Tommy Jo for winning the place on the course, we look forward to having you join us.

Don't worry if you didn't win the place on the course, I got you covered!!!

Check back on Saturday 1st December when registration opens for details of all amazing things you will be getting from the course, Bonuses and details of the Early Bird Discount!!!   

For those of you who sign up for the course using my link I have several bonuses to give away as a Thank You so make sure you come back on Saturday as we 
GET This Party STARTED!!

I will also be sharing examples of my art videos on my YouTube channel  like the one below which show some of my art journal insights and practices all to get you warmed up and ready to go, lots of work on backgrounds and art journal pages and free for you to access regardless - I post 2 - 3 times each week, and I would love to have you join me.

Amanda Trought on YouTube - Subscribe HERE

Click HERE For More Info

See you back here on Saturday for the Opening of Registration for the Course.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Mixed Media Play Date (MMPD) - GIVEAWAY

I hope that you are having a blessed day where ever in the world you are and you have been checking out some of artists that are on the Mixed Media Play Date 2019.  

Listen to the Podcast

By now many of you will know that I am a Guest Artist and will be playing along and sharing a fantastic lesson!  

I am so excited about being able to teach alongside a group of AMAZING artist instructors!  

More Information

The Mixed Media Play Date is a new mixed media collaboration intended to bring you endless inspiration, amazing fun, freedom in creativity and community that are supportive and encouraging and it is hosted by Tiare Smith, you’ll be immersed in gratitude, happiness, and fun from day one. 

And if you think you don’t have enough time to create - there is help, if you don’t know where to begin - there is help, if your inner critic keeps talking and you need someone to lift you up - there is help, and if you need inspiration or you simply want to find your own inner voice then the Mixed Media Play Date is for you! Designed to teach, be a guide, inspiration and a friendly place for you to be yourself and thrive!

AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE!

I am exciting to be a part of this amazing initiative. and there will be so many wonderful things you will be able to enjoy along with us:

You will have Bucket Loads of FUN on top of:

Monthly Challenges and prizes!

New lessons each month!

Weekly new tutorial videos!

Creative prompts!

Writing prompts!

Online pajama parties!

Dance breaks!

Giveaways!

Access to tons of creative content…videos, workshops and MORE!!

For my lesson we will be creating some delicious backgrounds and I will be showing you how you can have fun with them when creating your images, it is time to Dance to the Beat of your Own Drum!!

If you would like to see examples some of my work you can check out my YouTube Channel

Registration/Membership opens on December 1, 2018.  For the early bird discount CLICK HERE  

Do you want to WIN A FREE Year Long Spot on this Online Course with Us?

I have 1 spot to GIVEAWAY!

To enter (each action gives you an additional chance to be entered in the Giveaway):

• Sign up to my Mailing list
• Follow and Like my Facebook Page
• Subscribe to my YouTube
• Follow on Instagram
• Share this blog post and leave a comment use #amandatrought so I can find it

Contest closes Monday 26th November at Midnight (AST) 

Winner Announced on 27th November

GOOD LUCK!!

Each day up to December 1st, Tiare will be introducing you to a different Artist Instructor,  who will be making daily giveaways, so you will have extra opportunities to win a spot by visiting each artist!!

It is going to be an amazing 2019, check out some of the other artists below to learn more about them.

List of Artist/Instructors - Nicci Battilana, Katrina Koltes,

Shay Livenspargar, Maria Persson, Robin Mead, Denise Braun,

Jackie Barragan, Ayala Art, JamieLynn Dougherty, Cindy Gilstrap,

Keri Sallee, Nikol Wikman, Tiff Goff Smith,

Marielle Stolp, and our Host Tiare Smith.

Remember Registration/Membership opens on December 1, 2018.  For the early bird discount CLICK HERE  

Mixed Media Play Date Online Course

Mixed Media Play Date. Giveaway and 

Teacher Intros. Day One!

I am so thrilled to share with you that I will be one of the guest teachers on the the Mixed Media Play Date hosted by Tiare Smith. As teachers we all want to help you put PLAY in your art and your day!

Tiare has assembled an AMAZING group of artist instructors to do just that, and we are gonna fill your creative wells with inspiring ideas, Fun, JOY and gratitude!

The Mixed Media Play Date - a new mixed media collaboration will bring you endless inspiration,  fun, freedom in your creativity and a community like no other.  I have taught on a number of courses hosted by Tiare Smith, and you are guaranteed to come out of your comfort zone, find your happy places and pick up so many hints and tips and fun from day one.

There will also be LIVE STREAMED MIXED MEDIA PLAY DATES 

and PAJAMA PARTIES and MORE!!!!

 LEARN MORE HERE!

We all worry about finding enough time to create, and our inner critics voice can often get overwhelming, but as your guides we are here to help you tune into your inner voice, guide you as you see new things in your art and creativity, we will be your companions, supporters and cheer leaders, it will be a friendly place for you to be yourself and thrive!

Daily Giveaways!!!

Do you want to WIN A FREE Year Long Spot on this Online Course with Us?

To enter (each action gives you an additional chance to be entered):

• Sign up to my Mailing list
• Follow and Like my Facebook Page
• Subscribe to my YouTube
• Follow on Instagram
• Share this blog post and use #amandatrought so I can find it

Contest closes Monday 26th November at Midnight (AST) 

Each day up to December 1, Tiare will be introducing you to a different Artist Instructor,  and we will be making daily giveaways, so you will have extra opportunities to win a spot by visiting each artist!!

I will be sharing more about the course and share some hints and tips on the 21st November and over the next 7 days. So be sure to check back HERE to have an extra chance to 

enter and see who is sharing for that day.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Realityarts - Podcasts Weekly - Episode 24 and 25 - Inspiration

Blessings, to one and all.  In this weeks podcasts I touch on two connected areas.  One of the areas is where we have to make room for growth, in order to see things clearly.  We can be so used to playing small, that when the opportunity arises to do more we are not sure what to do with ourselves and we keep the same 'small mentality', without realising that we have all that we need to do more and be more.  

Points to Ponder

Maybe there are things that you can think about where you should have been playing much bigger but contained yourself?  

How did you feel when you realised that you could actually do a lot more and you never gave yourself the opportunity?

Making room for Growth






Episode 25 - Nurturing Your Environment

In this episode which is a very quick one I look at how we can change our environment to be a more nurturing one which will definitely have an impact on our outlook and how we approach things that happen in our lives.

You can start small, add some plants, tidy up, clear some of the clutter, but do something for 'you' that will have a positive impact.  As you work on you others around you are effected, and the blessings can really spread.  Take time to see what you can do, and let me know how you get on in the comments or one of the other social platforms you can find me on.





Tune in next Monday for another Episode, hope you can join me as we unlock our hidden talents.  Let me know what podcast platform you prefer listening to the podcast on.

Stay blessed and be a blessing