Kristen Maize ~ Painting Paradise

Kristen Maize is a painter born and raised on the island of St. John. Her new works will be on display at The Bajo el Sol Gallery on St. John beginning April 2nd.

KM: Half of my paintings were inspired by my recent travels to the Pacific, images that remind me both of my trip and of St. John. The others are still lifes of vessels. I did some research into what the bowls, vases, etc looked like before they became the pottery shards we find on St. John today. A small series titled "Before They Were Shards."

To view her paintings visit her online gallery: www.kristenmaize.com

"Fish for Sale II" ~ 12" x 16" oil on canvas

"Herding" ~ 36"x24"  Oil on canvas

Gina's Isola Bella Coral Bracelet by Ocean Girl Collection

I love the fabulous jewelry created by the Elke of the Ocean Girl Collection made in the Caribbean. I interviewed the artist and featured her fabulous jewelry line awhile back. My gorgeous order recently arrived and apparently I was inspiration for a new bracelet design.Thank you Elke as you continue to be an inspiration to me as well.  Definately can't help but feel summery and sea-goddess-like wearing these beauties. Are you Summer ready? Check out her wonderful shop here!

Wearing my fab new necklace made with seafan and pearls.

The Karina Necklace ~ Buy here!

part of the new Modern Woman Collection~ "Gina's Isola Bella Coral Bracelet"

Ocean Girl Collection

Pillow Art Update

Had so much fun printing fabric yesterday. This new seafan print is going to be part of the 2011 isola bella collection. The color I mixed reminds me of driftwood as it has a touch of brown with gray and white. Just a beautiful neutral tone that is very mod. This block-print took a very long time to carve. Wanted to give my fans a sneak peek  before I send it off to the seamstress for fabrication. Finished pillow coming soon!

Another little lovely developed this week. My new Stony Coral design in light turquoise blue. These will become available in April. Quantities are limited each month. For large orders one month notice is advisable.

2011 Preview - isola bella collection

Sachet Giveaway

Nautical by Nature Blog is featuring an isola bella giveaway today! Be sure to anchor your weigh there and join the fun! A fun blog for everything nautical and preppy.

The winner receives a set of 2 sachets with our fabulous lavender seahorse design! They smell so great! Our lavender is imported from the French countryside and the fragrance lasts forever!

Tip- When the fragrance seems to fade (which takes a long time) all you do is rub the sachet between both hands to renew the scent. It will last for years!

Block-Printing Process

Today I am carving away. Some new stony coral and seafan designs headed your way in the next week or two. Pondering colors and sketching away. Everyone always wonders how I create these prints and stamp them. Here are some recent pics from my studio.

Drawers are now overflowing with designs

"Seafan"

today's project~ "stony coral"

Caribbean Pottery Artist Jerilee Roberts

Jerilee Roberts art makes you feel like you just took a plunge into the Caribbean Sea. I have been a lucky gal the past few weeks attending her workshop here on St. Thomas. What a dream for me as I have been a HUGE fan of her work for many years.

What brought you to the Virgin Islands?

JR: "The turquoise water and the treasures in it. They brought me here and keep me here."

Where does your inspiration come from?

JR: "The textures in nature provide me with inspiration."

When did you know you wanted to become a potter?

JR: "Creating art is always a reflection of how we view the world. Finding clay was like finding an old friend. My earliest awareness of that was staying afterschool to finish a little pot in third grade."

Jerrilee has been creating beautiful works for over 25 years. Any inquiries can be sent via email to jerileeroberts@hotmail.com or you can reach the artist at 340.244.7346

All photos courtesy of Jerilee Roberts. Copyrighted. all rights reserved.You may copy,print or use these photos only with permission by the artist.

Her gorgeous bowls and vases are wheel-thrown and then hand-carved. Earthenware clay with clear glaze.These are not only sculptural but functional as her pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Pottery in Progress

"CORAL BRANCHES" sculptural bowl series by gina feddersen

"SEA URCHIN" sculptural bowl series by gina feddersen

"SEAFAN" from the sculptural bowl series by gina feddersen

I recently am getting back into my first love in art which is sculpture. Loving the process and feel like I have so much to interpret from my everyday encounters with nature and the sea. Here are three little bowls that have been handbuilt and sculpted. These will be fired to about 1500 degrees. If there isn't any kiln mishap I will share with you the finished pieces in a few weeks.