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.