Terri is an artist and the owner of Nouveau Image Permanent Makeup in Palencia Who are you and what do you do? I am an eight year breast cancer survivor, a mother of a teenager and a wife of a loving husband. I’m a home maker the mother to our daughter and a permanent make up artist. Why do you do what you do? I do permanent make up because it something that came into my life when I had breast cancer. I was overwhelmed with joy and how my life has changed and having an art background for over 50 years it was as if I was lead down the path. *My business works by appointment only in a studio on Market st in Palencia. What’s your background? I’ve been painting since I am eight years old. Attended The School of Visual Arts in New York and then moved onto The Fashion Institute of Technology. What’s integral to your work? Giving back to people in need and enjoying making a simple change in their lives that brings so much joy. Explain what you do in a way that would help lay people understand it. I use my artistic experience to apply Permanent Makeup to enhance eyebrows, eyeliner, lips and Areolas and scars with several different techniques How has your art changed over time My art hasn’t changed over time however, my canvas has. I’ve always enjoyed a blank canvas to paint. Ive painted many murals in restaurants, faux painted furniture, children’s murals, and even had my own 3D cake design company. Window design, jewelry design, office and floor design were also part of my past. What art do you most identify with? Anything with color and movement and shadows seems to catch my eye the most. I can get absorbed into this art and get lost inside it What work do you most enjoying doing? That’s s hard question because anything I’ve already find in the past has a hold on me still and I never really left any if my art behind as opposed to gathering more skills and applying them. What’s your strongest memory of your childhood? Growing up in a very large family of all 5 brothers, the memories are extensive but I would have to say Christmas was always the most memorable and fun and still is because we still carry on the tradition with the family being so much larger from many years ago Also Tuesday nights when I would go for my weekly art lesson in the evening and miss family dinner but come home with an amazing painting to share with my mom and dad who were so proud of my work. What themes do you pursue? I wouldn’t say I pursue a theme more so than something that strikes my eye. It could range from a zoomed in flower to a scenic view to a simple painting of a high heeled shoe with fantastic color and shadow. What’s your favorite art work or your favorite artist & why? Any of Edgar Degas ballerina paintings and sculptures. I always wanted to dance as a child and fortunately I chose art because my daughter is a ballerina and dances so I have the best of them both! I hope to one day to be the proud owner of his sculpture work.
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Mindy Kerr is the photographer of the body art featured on our cover and within our magazine. She is also the owner of Nature's Child Photography and is the official photographer of cover art for St. Johns Magazine. Hello! Just a little bit about your friendly neighborhood photographer! I LOVE interacting with all the different people I get to meet with this profession. From that first cup of coffee at our meet and greet, through our final image selection, I consider everyone a friend by the time we say our "until next times". I grew up in a VERY small town in Missouri. Roaming through the woods and fields, eating sun warmed wild huckleberries, reading on a bed of moss in the early morning sunshine; this was how I spent most of my days, when not doing farm chores. (Milking cows, weeding my Dad’s garden, and slopping pigs just doesn’t sound as nice as wandering through the meadows, right?) I attended Missouri University in Columbia, studying Early Childhood Education/Child Psychology, and enjoying photography classes as my elective “fun.” However, I decided about halfway into my college career, that I wanted to support my country, so I joined the Air force. While serving in Japan, I met my amazing husband (and sometimes my assistant/second shooter). 6 months later, we were married in a whirlwind ceremony. 25 years later… still married, and he’s still very much my best friend. We have 2 fabulous children together, Jessi, who is 24, and attending college in Illinois for veterinary medicine, and Jason who is currently a senior in high school. Our non-human children consist of 2 super energetic, 70 lb boxer labs, and 2 overly demanding kitties. Outside is where I'm the happiest... and outside is where the magic happens. People come alive, are more likely to be themselves, not feeling like they need to pose “perfectly.” I am all about the “imperfect” pose… that picture BETWEEN poses – where the soul is bright. Natural world, natural “poses,” natural you. It’s how I roll. As a “retired” preschool teacher of 17 years, I have infinite amounts of love, patience, and creativity…. all needed for this sometimes unpredictable, and always delightful livelihood. Well, that’s it, in a tiny little nutshell! So when you see this barefoot photographer getting her groove on photographing? Stop and say a quick howdy - new friends are my favorite. ;) To view the full spectrum of Mindy's work please visit her website at www.natureschildphotography.com Photos by Mindy Kerr of Nature's Child Photography |
For more information on Team Kaprelian: KasiaAndMark.com Kasia@WatsonRealtyCorp.com MarkKaprelian@WatsonRealtyCorp.com Cell 508-333-1342 |
Learn what makes him passionate about being a dentist.
“Dr. Jonas” opened Blue Sky Dental Group in July 2017. He always knew he wanted to settle down in north Florida with his family and was excited when the opportunity presented itself to open his own practice here. He studied at the University of Florida and later went on to dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. After graduation he enlisted in the US Army and became a Captain, providing dental care to soldiers and their families.
For Dr. Jonas, one of his greatest joys in life is the look on his patient’s faces when they see their dental work come together. He shared the story of a patient who was born without four teeth. He required extensive dental work over a period of time, including braces and grafts. In the end Dr. Jonas was able to pull it all together and give this man a new smile. He will never forget the day the man saw his smile after completion of all that work. It literally transformed his face. Dr. Jonas says it was a privilege to serve him. While not all cases are that dramatic, it is the ability to help people that gives Dr. Jonas his passion for dentistry.
A combination of low stress and high-level technology reflects the philosophy of care at Blue Sky Dental Group. When you enter the office you instantly recognize it as a place where patient care and comfort are highly valued. From the beautiful modern design of the waiting room, special touches like bottled water and fresh coffee to the courteous and attentive staff who greets you.
Patient rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs where you can watch Netflix, snuggle up with a pillow and blanket while using our wireless headphones to relax with the sounds of your favorite music. The aroma from warm, scented towels provides the perfect ending for your visit.
Dr. Jonas believes cutting edge technology contributes to a more productive and comfortable dental visit. In well-appointed treatment rooms, Dr. Jonas provides state-of-the-art care using digital x-ray machines which subject patients to much lower levels of radiation than traditional x-ray machines. They also have 3D x-ray technology, which gives us a more in-depth view of dental tissues.
He also realizes that cost is sometimes a stressful aspect of dental care. He and his staff work diligently with insured and those paying out of pocket to ensure costs remain reasonable. His goal is to help patients to maximize benefits or find alternative payment options in order to keep their smiles healthy and beautiful. Dr. Jonas and his wife Kathleen (who is also a dentist) live in Durbin Crossing with their two young sons. Life and work as a dentist is busy but his favorite thing is coming home and playing with his children each night or packing up all their baby gear and going to Mickler Beach or Porpoise Point in Vilano Beach with the family on weekends. If you need a highly skilled dentist with a passion for dental health, please visit Dr. Jonas at Blue Sky Dental Group. Call today to schedule (904) 342-6222 or visit him online for live online booking: www.blueskydentalgroup.com |
How a Local Hometown Hero Became
a National Success in Real Estate
How he started his real estate team and is now expanding it on a national scale is a truly inspirational story of an underdog who changed the paradigm and found his life’s purpose in helping families buy and sell homes.
Bernard was raised with two loving parents who fought against all odds to provide opportunity for him and his siblings. “Opportunity” is the key word Bernard focuses on when describing his gratitude towards his parents and his dedication for each of his clients. A tremendous milestone for Bernard gave birth at the age of 13. Bernard’s dad encouraged him to learn the value of money and hard work by creating his own business idea that brought him financial gain. Bernard took his father’s advice, restored a broken lawn mower, and began advertising his lawn service business to the neighborhood. Single handedly he grew this business and even hired two of his close friends to work for him. This learning lesson later translated to further business opportunities. His hopes of building a team who provides real estate dreams come true is his passion. This passion is proven in his growth and success.
Bernard’s dedication to his clients and team members are invaluable. His desire to provide the best experience possible for his buyers and sellers goes above and beyond.
Agent Spotlight: Ana McCann
Thank You Ana for your love of real estate and servitude! Started From the Bottom, Now We Are Here!
New Diggs for the New Year is the New Diggs Team new year motto. They are offering a guaranteed sale program where their team makes one promise: they sell your home or they buy it themselves! In addition, they are offering a 1 year “love it, or leave it” program for home buyers. Since this program allows buyers to purchase a home with the assurance that they’ll sell it for free (if they are not completely happy with it), it has created a larger home buyer base for them. In return, more buyers means more chances that someone will buy your home. Furthermore, their marketing plan for 2018 is phenomenal! The end result: more exposure for your home. In combination with their expansion from St. Johns FL to Southern California and Norfolk Virginia, they are now in multiple cities/states to continue to serve you.
For more information please visit newdiggs.myfhrm.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/newdiggsteam/
St. Johns magazine wanted to learn more about the people behind Fionn MacCool’s so we spoke with Amy McNulty, who owns and runs the business with co-owners Joe Moye (her brother) and General Manager Paul Glaser.
Amy had always wanted to open an authentic Irish pub. A place that would reflect her love for Irish culture and her Irish ancestry. “Our great grandparents were from County Cork. As natives of Jacksonville we wanted a genuine and authentic Irish experience at home”. They chose to expand in St. Johns county because of the tremendous growth in the area.
After visiting Ireland numerous times, even running in the Dublin Marathon, she had experienced a variety of pubs and done her research. She was ready to make the dream a reality and opened Fionn MacCool’s in 2005. She says, “Fionn’s is a genuine Irish Pub. The word pub is derived from “Public House”, originally a place for everyone to meet and relax after a long day’s work. We have great food, great service, live music, and plenty of pints and whiskey! We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable, as if you were coming into our home” Another part of what gives Fionn MacCool’s is authenticity may be the fact that furnishings, bar and cabinetry are built in Ireland.
“We want people in St. Johns to know that Fionn MacCool’s is great for Everybody. “Its a family place, a pub and a restaurant where any age is welcome from little kids to retirees and everyone in between," Joe added.
General Manager Paul Glaser has been in the restaurant business his entire adult life, joining Fionn MacCool’s twelve years ago. “I treat each day like I am throwing a party at my house and I want every guest to be happy they came and had an exceptional time”. A feeling of hospitality definitely permeates the atmosphere. They strive to make people feel special and happy. Paul recalled once when a young navy guy asked them to help him with his marriage proposal. “He came to me the week before and wanted to propose on our river patio and wanted to film it but the camera had to be hidden so she wouldn't get tipped off. So we had a decoy table set up with people hiding behind menus with the camera a few tables away. He wanted a special song to be played so we had a portable radio for the ready too. He got up went inside like he was going to the restroom and we set everything in motion. He knocked on the window from inside. When he walked back out on the patio we started the song and camera he got down on one knee and proposed it was very romantic for a young guy. His girl said yes and we had it all on film. We popped open a bottle of champagne for them. As far as we know they are happily married to this day.”
What would an Irish pub be without a good ancient tale behind it? The restaurant is named for Fionn mac Cumhaill or “Finn McCool” who is known for being a great warrior in Irish myths. He was the greatest leader of the Fianna, an elite military clan responsible for the protection of the High King of Ireland. Fionn implemented a code of honor into the Fianna; which had a reputation for being somewhat unruly. Another legend includes Fionn as a giant, creating the Giant’s Causeway, a peculiar series of volcanic rock formations along the coast of Ireland. He did this to challenge a Scottish giant to a fight and allow passage from Scotland to Ireland.
Please look forward to next month’s issue when our Foodie Blogger Lori Allen will give you the scoop on the food at Fionn MacCool’s! www.fionnmacs.com/www.fionnmacs.com/
I wanted an opportunity to share my artistic talent and teaching the skills needed to allow both children and adults to discover their inner artist.
Who is involved in running the business?
Myself – Janine Lafiteau and my husband, Ted. I am responsible for creating and teaching the classes and workshop that we run here at the studio as well as running our Summer Art Camp and hosting a variety of birthday parties and events. Ted is responsible for administrative aspects of the business – such as: Marketing, Managing the books, Scheduling the monthly calendar, Managing the web-site and Coordinating visits made by outside groups.
What are some of the services you offer?
Art classes for children and adults including: Instructional Adult only classes on Tuesdays, Art education classes for home schooled children each Wednesday, Mommy & Me classes on Thursdays, Visiting group classes and Family Fun Nights on Fridays and Advanced art classes for tweens and teens on Saturdays. We also offer canvas painting events for adults (Wine & Canvas, Business Team Builders and Fund Raisers) and children (Cookies & Canvas) as well as Custom art themed birthday parties. We also just launched an after-school program held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. called, “Crafternoon Activities”. This gives kids an opportunity to do a different craft/art lesson every day.
What is your favorite part about owning your business?
Through the creation and building of Creative Me Art Studio, I have been able to bring a lifelong dream of having my own studio to fruition. Having an opportunity to share my passion for art with others and showing people that with a little instruction they can create amazing pieces of art. In addition, I really enjoy working with my husband as we make a really great team and have lots of fun each day.
Do you have a background in art?
I have been an artist from an early age. In college majored in Education with a minor in Art. Upon receiving my Bachelor’s Degree, I embarked upon a 19 year career as an elementary school teacher – 12 of those years were spent in the classroom teaching all grades between Kindergarten and 5th. The other 7 years were as the art teacher.
Who is your favorite artist and why?
Although there are many I like, Brazilian artist Romeo Britto is my very favorite. I love his use of thick black lines and vivid colors and patterns as well as a very unique style that always makes me happy.
What makes your business unique?
We offer a wide variety of classes, workshops and art related events for all ages from 3 to 93. We also offer customized birthday parties and we host an extremely flexible “Mom friendly” Summer Camp Program, wherein you can come day by day on a pay as you go basis, in comparison to other camps wherein you have to book for a minimum of a week and if you miss a day, you have to pay anyway. In addition, we integrate technology into our lessons. We employ the use of a document camera that basically digitally captures my lesson and broadcasts the images onto large flat panel T.V. sets mounted to the walls of the studio. Therefore, no matter where you’re seated in the studio, you have a close up view of the instructions…making it much easier to follow along.
What kinds of projects do people most like and why?
Our most popular step by step instructional classes are our acrylic painting on canvas. Kids love it because the can make instant wall art and adults love it because even though most of our customers are amateur artists, they’re very proud that they were able to create a masterpiece of their very own via step-by-step instructions.
What is a memorable experience related to your business?
One day we had a special needs child visit the studio for the first time. The lesson that day, was step-by-step canvas painting. Canvas painting, as you know, involves many steps to complete…which is difficult for any amateur artist. After an hour and a half of teaching this child, he and his parents were so proud of how he remained focused and completed a gorgeous piece of artwork. We were so happy to be part of this special moment.
What are some of your challenges?
Many of our customers have gotten to know us through their friends or family – which is wonderful – as word of mouth is our best endorsement. However, getting word out there of our existence to the community at large has been difficult as advertising takes up a large portion our limited budget.
What are your goals for the future?
To provide a wide variety of classes, workshops and art related events that would cater to every type of artist, at any age, within our surrounding community. We would love to be the go to place to allow your inner artist to bloom.
MEGAN: I’m Megan Welch. I’m a painter, educator, wife and mom.
SJM:Why do you do what you do?
MEGAN: I think that my “why” has a lot to do with my family. I spent a lot of my childhood in community theatre with my entire family. My grandmother sewed costumes, my parents directed and acted in shows, my brother’s a great writer and has worked in a variety of technical positions. A creative life equates to normalcy to me. Growing up I was never discouraged from a life in the arts so that’s probably how I got to this point.
SJM: How do you work (explain your process)?
MEGAN: Typically I work in series. Once I find something that inspires me, I try to exhaust the topic from a variety of differing imagery in sketchbooks, through quick studies, until I have the basis for paintings. I use my daughter quite often as a reference, sometimes she’s a stand in for me, a symbol of something I want to say, or simply herself. She’s pretty young and probably wouldn’t sit for me for the length of time I’d need for her to in order to paint from life, so I generally take reference pictures of her to paint from. I also paint my friends, I try to not take up too much of their time so I take reference photos of them as well. I usually don’t end up with one perfect reference for each so my paintings are usually composited of a variety of reference photos I’ve taken. Once I have my reference photos I generally create a charcoal and chalk drawing that will serve as my roadmap for a painting. Once I’ve done that I create my substrate, which is usually canvas. I do a good amount of underpainting with red, burnt sienna, or pink. I’m not sure why I gravitate to those colors, but one of my grad school professors tells me Titian began his work similarly so I guess I’m in good company. Once I get the underpainting done, I start in with the parts I’m most afraid to paint first, I like to get the nerves over with early on. Stare down the beast. I keep a pretty disciplined studio practice. Each night around 8:00, I go into my studio and I work until I reach a stopping point, usually around 11:00. Weekends I work in the morning until someone in my house wants to go do something and I typically come and go frequently, not really sticking with a time period. Toward the end of a painting, I like to leave it for a day or two between passes because I tend to become blind to the faults in the work toward the end. I have a few artists I’m friends with who I show my work to for feedback. I also show my work to my mom and one of my close friends who don’t mince words with me. If something’s wrong, they’re going to tell me. At this point I will usually begin the process over again with another work or go on to a commission if I have one.
SJM: What is your background?
MEGAN: In retrospect, I think I was a pretty weird kid. My theatre family didn’t always get me cool points with the kids in my small southern town and being raised a vegetarian didn’t help either. What I think was so valuable looking back, is that my parents instilled in my brother and I, a great reverence for the arts and the importance of living a creative life. Fitting in wasn’t something that was important to our parents, so we learned early on that we should be fulfilled in more substantive ways. As a result, I went into my BFA Painting program at the University of North Florida without an ounce of worry my parents would cut me off like so many of my classmates did. In my undergrad, I realized how special my family was, and that not all kids grow up with parents who love the arts so I wanted to be the person in the lives of art students who told them that they could. That they could carve out a life for themselves in the arts. That they could be fulfilled and successful in the arts. So four days after I graduated, I walked into my first teaching job. Twelve years later, I’m still loving it.
SJM: What has been a seminal experience?
MEGAN: It’s weird to me how someone’s birth can remind us of our mortality. When my daughter was born I wasn’t doing much creatively. Yes, I was teaching art, technically I spent everyday creating, but I wasn’t making work that was my own. I realized that I didn’t even have a space to create in my house. The thought of my daughter not realizing I was an artist felt deeply upsetting. It was so strange to me, that feeling of wanting to impress this tiny human, but it worked. I started out strangely enough drawing these goldfish I saw on Instagram. I wasn’t really doing anything profound with these fat little fish, they were just something to draw, but they helped me get back into the habit of creating. So I guess the birth of my daughter has been the most formative experience of my life so far, and weirdly enough, some goldfish.
SJM: How has your practice changed over time?
MEGAN: I’m getting my MFA right now at Savannah College of Art & Design and early in my first studio class I realized that many of my creative “choices” were really just fears in disguise. I was avoiding working with subjects I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough to paint. I decided then and there that I would go after what I was afraid of. I wouldn’t let my fears stop me from where I wanted to be as an artist. That was the first class I painted a portrait for. I haven’t stopped since.
SJM: What aspect of your work do you enjoy most?
MEGAN: The best moments are the heady, giddy feelings when I step back from a work and I can’t believe I made it.
SJM: What food or drink inspires you?
MEGAN: Anything that is made by someone passionate about their work. Whether its local produce, my mom’s peach salsa, or wine from Tuscany. The love is palpable.
SJM: What is your strongest memory of childhood?
MEGAN: Painting with my grandma. We used to sit in her “Florida Room”, which I guess most people would call a back porch, I’m not sure why we called it the Florida Room, is that a thing? I digress… We would paint Bob Ross copies out there for hours and the smell of the oil paint would hang over us and stick to our skin like the swampy humidity outside. I loved every minute of it.
SJM: What is your scariest memory of childhood?
MEGAN: My friends and I used to do some pretty stupid things growing up. By far our most dangerous involved us rollerblading down the steepest hill we knew of. We would fly down the hill and if a car came while we were flying around the curve at the end of the hill we would throw ourselves into a retention ditch before presumably getting hit by the car. As an adult, I cannot think of much in my everyday life scarier than almost hitting an eight year old, only to watch that child fling herself off a cliff into a ditch. Who even knows how we didn’t break every bone in our bodies.
SJM: Have you had any other jobs besides being an artist?
MEGAN: Being an art teacher. I’ve taught all grades K-12. Now, I teach at Nease High School here in St. John’s County. I also worked in restaurants waiting tables and bartending while in college. Nothing teaches more about humanity than waiting tables.
SJM: What has been your most memorable response to your work?
MEGAN: I recently painted my daughter as a hot pink Creature from the Black Lagoon-esque monster. She didn’t see it until I was pretty much done with painting the portion that included her and she wandered into my studio one morning without me noticing. I was in our kitchen and I heard, “MOMMA. I am NOT a MONSTER… but I do like being pink!”
MELISSA: I am a wife, a mother of 3, I am strong, an independent thinker, a fly by the seat of my pants girl, I am full of joy and Jesus, I have a very competitive spirit, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I am a pretty butterfly and free spirit. I am a self-taught, mixed media artist. I mostly use acrylic paints, watercolors, and handmade papers in my art. I sometimes use metals, found objects, and fabrics also.
SJM: Why do you do what you do?
MELISSA: In 2005, I was involved in a car accident that left my Suburban wrapped around a concrete light pole. Amazingly, I walked away from it, but was left with a head injury and excruciating neck and upper back pain. I am an interior designer by trade, and my accident left me unable to really work. My days were filled with doctor’s appointments, trying to take care of my 3 young children while my husband was on deployment in the Navy, and unable to work because of the pain in my head, neck, and upper back. It also left me with a deep, undeniable, depression. After about a year of struggling through everything, I realized that part of the problem was that my creativity was so bottled up with nowhere to go. I started searching for something to channel my thoughts and energy into. I was searching Etsy one day for inspiration, and came across some mosaic belt buckles, and thought to myself, I can do better than that, I decided my medium would be gemstones, glass beads, metal beads, and vintage jewelry components. Instead of using grout to secure them, I used glue. Eventually, looking for another challenge, I started painting.
SJM: What is your background?
MELISSA: My background is in Interior Design. I have been a designer in Jacksonville for almost 30 years. I studied Interior Design at Iowa State University and FCCJ in Jacksonville. I managed the decorating department at Brinton’s Paint Company for 7 years before opening my own store, Oak Street Designs, in Riverside in 1996. My partner, Denise Moore, and I had our retail shop and design company until making the decision to close in 2001. I’ve worked out of my home studio ever since. It’s been a very rewarding career that has given me much joy and allowed me to meet some amazing people in the city of Jacksonville. I feel incredibly blessed to do what I do.
SJM: How do you work (explain your process)?
MELISSA: I really like using words or phrases in my work. I’m very deliberate in the papers or books I use to create a mood or inspiration in whatever the subject matter is that I’m creating. My ultimate goal is always to bring a smile or joy to the person who purchases my piece. I am a lover of color, and my pieces are always full of intense, bright, colors. Although I appreciate pastel and neutral paintings, every time I have tried to create a piece like that, the color has a way of creeping in and taking over! I think because of my interior design background, balance, proportion, and texture (visual or tactile) are the most important elements that go into my work.
SJM: How has your practice changed over time & what aspect of your work do you enjoy most?
MELISSA: When I first starting creating my belt buckles and jewelry, I didn’t really consider myself an artist. It was more of an outlet of expression for my mental health and sanity. But when people wanted what I had created, and asked for more, I started to value what I was doing, and it made me want to do more. I don’t think I’m any different from a lot of other artists that look for other avenues to be creative in. When I started painting, I think my work was more 1 dimensional and flat. I tended to not experiment with blending and layering colors. Over the last few years, I’ve become bolder with my color combinations, and layering techniques. I‘ve started using molding pastes and pouring mediums in my work to create even more texture. I’m enjoying the collage effect my work sometimes takes on. I love experimenting with blending and overlapping colors to see how they relate to each other and the papers that are used in the piece. I also love creating paintings with all paper. I use cutting and tearing techniques to create the subject matter and different pattern combinations. I’ve also started creating some Monet like abstracts. I think I get a little lost in the creative process, because I’m always surprised in how the patterns and layers relate to each other in the finished piece and not really knowing necessarily how I got there. I love walking away for a while, then coming back to it and seeing a new combination that I didn’t notice before.
SJM: Did you have a mentor?
MELISSA: My mentor is absolutely my best friend, Jennifer McCully, who is an incredibly talented artist in Orlando, FL. I’ve watched her career from the very beginning, being one of her biggest fans. She was the one who encouraged me to pick up a paint brush beside her and helped me create my first piece. She’s always been very quick to inspire me to follow my heart and pull the creativity from within myself. She’s taught me to look for inspiration everywhere around me.
SJM: What is your strongest memory of childhood?
MELISSA: The two people who I feel have shaped the person I have become would have be my mother and my step mother. My mother always allowed experimentation and encouraged creativity. She taught me how to sew, how to cross stitch, and took my sister and I, to pottery
SJM: What is your scariest memory of childhood?
MELISSA: My stepmother on the other hand, showed me how to be resilient, strong, and taught me never to give up. She taught me my competitive nature. We had horses, and she got me into barrel racing and western pleasure showing. There were lots of times that I fell off my horse but no matter the dirt or tears involved, I was always made to get back on, even if just to sit on his back for a minute. I was never allowed to give up or throw a pity party for myself. The scariest memory I have of my childhood was the summer between 5th and 6th grade, I happen to be standing on the running board of our small tractor, riding with her while she mowed our pasture. When we were returning the mower attachment to our neighbors that she borrowed it from, she thought she would be kind and mow an area of long grass for them. She hit a large piece of equipment hidden in the grass, and it threw me off the tractor and under the back wheels of our tractor. My right leg got hung up as I fell and it badly got dislocated. I had a broken left collar bone, and crushed the bones in my left hand. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks.
SJM: Have you had any other jobs besides being an artist?
MELISSA: In addition to my work as an interior designer, I worked in my family’s paint and wallcovering store through high school, and I’ve worked in retail clothing stores, and waitressed through college. I also got my real estate license 2 years ago.
SJM: What has been your most memorable response to you work?
MELISSA: I have 2 most memorable responses to my work. The first was at the Riverside Arts Market. I had a booth of my artwork, and a women approached and was looking at my paintings and all of a sudden got so excited at seeing my mixed media work of sunflowers, because I had used the At Home in Mitford book pages to create some of the petals on the sunflowers. It was her favorite book, and sunflowers were her favorite flower. My second memory is of a sweet older man who came into a shop where I was delivering some furniture pieces that I had decoupaged with very brightly patterned papers, and he saw one of my tables and immediately purchased it, telling me that he had just lost his wife, and that the table reminded him of her, and it made him happy.
www.sinisagallery.com
www.sinisaart.com
SINISA: My name is Sinisa Saratlic. I am an architect and fine artist. I was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslavia, in 1954. I graduated from University of Sarajevo, Department of Architectural studies, with B.S. in Architecture.
SJM: Why do you do what you do?
SINISA: My art is celebration of the concept of inspiration. Everything I see is a manifestation of divine energy and I believe in a divine power that controls all life. When I look at beauty, I’m inspired. Some of my ideas come from my feelings and experiences . I’m inspired by art of all kinds, including sculpture, painting, architecture, music - just everything.
Art is my life!
SJM: How do you work?
SINISA: As time disappears, I try to stop everything what is an expression of beauty, emotion, or simply an interesting moment or a magic image of our life. So, I’m placing those elements into “windows” of feelings, to depict romantic women beauty or the charm of nature. Seeing things through a window gives us sense of discovering something new, dreaming, waiting or remembering something that we used to have.
Acrylic is my favorite medium. It allows me to create depth and texture within the many transparent layers. My strokes are visible channels of energy and that is what excites me. Mostly I use acrylic, oils, pastel and watercolors. Sometimes I mix all of these techniques in the same piece of art. I like to experiment. My studio and my worktable is just full of all these materials, and I use whatever I think will help me in getting the kind of effect that I want for pictures I like to listen to music while I am working. I like to listen all kind of music from classical to roc and roll. Sometimes I work all night.
I have created a variety of works in different mediums, styles and subjects like figures, portraits, landscapes, still life, automotive art, abstractions and illustrations. Also I do architectural study models and artistic architectural renderings.
SJM: What is your background?
SINISA: My travel through the world of art begins at an early age. A sketch book filled with ideas and intricate drawings was my best friend throughout childhood. My talent was recognized, and rewarded ever since elementary school. My art work became an important component of my school’s exhibitions and competitions. When I was fifteen I sold my first painting
Paintings from period of 1979 -1992 combine ideas taken from my national heritage, European history, romantic landscapes and architecture. In that period my original paintings were inevitable part of galleries from Sarajevo, Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Korcula and other cites.
With the beginning of war in Bosnia I escaped with my family from Sarajevo, saving our lives and leaving everything else behind, including all my artwork. Everything disappears in disasters of war. From 1992 to1997, I lived with my family in Belgrade where we began our new life. That was a very quiet period of my art life. I was busy working different jobs and providing for my family, and I was minimally focused on my artwork. That was very tough period in my life. December of 1997 once again becomes a new starting point in my life and my family. We moved to United States, a new country, new culture, a new life. I came to United States in pursuit of new and better life for me and my family. I wasn’t afraid of starting life once again from the scratch. It was extremely hard in the beginning. But soon enough I started a new period of professional work as an artist and architect. My first work in America doesn’t go by unnoticed and I brought home awards form exhibitions in St. Augustine, Florida. That inspired me further, and every free moment that I had, I used it to create artworks. Soon enough 24 hours in a day became insufficient for my inspiration and ideas. New ideas, horizons, and new temptations brought to me a whole new level of inspiration, and I formed unique style of my artistic expression.
My quest for “Ideal Beauty” and studying human emotions takes me into a contemporary portrayal of a woman. As a freelance architect and artist I was included in lot of projects and art events throughout the Florida. Also I have been a judge at the State fair art show in South Carolina several times. Many of my artworks are in private and corporate collections around the world.
SJM: What is integral to the work of an artist?
SINISA: Main idea, details, color palette and execution are integrals to “making up a whole “to the artwork.
SJM: What role does the artist have in society?
SINISA: The Artist must be everywhere, not only in galleries and museums. There are many problems in society and we need to solve the problems together. The artist must participate in every possible activity. Art can be a powerful way to bring communities together. The same as artist in any era: to interpret societies to themselves, reflect ideas and representations of people and culture, help is understand ourselves. Art also has the capacity to heal, as therapeutic art is now commonly used to alleviate psychological trauma. So artist can help in finding the solution through his work to create harmony, positive energy peace, love, etc
SJM: What has been a seminal experience?
SINISA: My work is influenced by my national heritage, European history, romantic landscapes and architecture.
SJM: Explain what you do in 100 words
SINISA: My art is essence of my being. My work conveys a sense of nostalgia and helps those viewing to be reminded of their own happiness. This is a mirror or window into which they can look to see their own happiness. Seeing things through a window gives us sense of discovering something new, dreaming, waiting or remembering something that we used to have.
SJM: How has your practice changed over time?
SINISA: My practice has changed over time depending on situation, inspiration, feelings, mediums, mood and atmosphere.
SJM: What art do you most identify with?
SINISA: I am most identifying with Old Masters like Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Raphael.
SJM: What work do you most enjoying doing?
SINISA: Surrealism work is one of my favorites because it’s kind of bridge between what we call modern art and classical art. Also the variety I also enjoying doing is distinctive Automotive Classic Car Fine Art.
SJM: What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
SINISA: My travel through world of art has begun at my early age. Sketch book filled with ideas and intricate drawings was my best friend throughout my childhood. In school I was constantly getting in trouble for the doodling and scribbled during math, music and social studies. I also constantly drew pictures at home after school. My talent was recognized, and rewarded ever since elementary school. My art work was important component of my elementary middle and high schools exhibitions and competitions. When I was fifteen my first painting was sold, then I was the happiest child in the world. So at that early age I had a sense that it was possible to make a living doing art. I’ve won a lot of awards for my art and it feels wonderful to know that my work is appreciated.
SJM: What themes do you pursue?
SINISA: Currently I am looking for ways to depict romantic beauty of classic cars in composition with beauty of the women body.
SJM: What’s your scariest experience?
SINISA: It was a moment when I put a coat of varnish on the finished artwork, canvas size 32” x 40 “ to protect it. At that moment my work suddenly disappeared from the surface of the canvas. I was scared when I saw it. I was screaming: : “ OMG!!! My two-month hard work was gone!”. I ran to find the camera to take a photo of it. When I returned, I saw how my painting began to appear slowly on the surface of the canvas. After 25 minutes, my work finally came up. It was clear to me that there was a chemical reaction between color and varnish. I have never ever experienced anything like this in my life.
SJM: Who is your favorite artist?
SINISA: My favorite artist of the Renaissance is Leonardo Da Vinci. He was an Italian painter, a sculptor, an architect, engineer, musician and scientist He produced great works that captured the history and climate of the times that he created in. Many people of his time did not believe in the ability that he poses. I admire how he continued further, even if people are discouraging. Instead of thinking about what others think about him, he continued doing work they benefited humans from his time and even our time.
Fully Promoted
540 SR 13 N Unit 105 Fruit Cove, Florida
(904) 342-7985
Greg is also the founder of Souls of the Beach foundation for appendix cancer research in memory of his wife Kate who passed from the rare disease in 2014.
Souls of the Beach sponsors an annual 5K to raise money and awareness for appendix cancer. Greg and his Fully Promoted team are always looking for new ways to make a difference.
Greg has created over a dozen branded trademarks that Fully Promoted uses to produce apparel and other items. They are on display inside the store.
Those trademarked brands are sold under 904 Brands and include Beach Soul, No Eye Deer , Peace-Love-Cure and others.
Greg with his daughter Shanna opened Fully Promoted in St. John's to provide businesses and sports team with marketing products, t shirts and jerseys and embroidery. Their motto is "We help local businesses do more business and local sports teams and fans look like champions."
Greg developed Souls of the beach along side his wife Kate and discovered a passion for creativity and raising awareness. He is able to use his creativity and charitable spirit inside Fully Promoted.He chose to locate the business here if St Johns where his daughters both live. He loves the creativity of the role and the feeling of being connected to the community. He and his team genuinely enjoy helping businesses and organizations grow.
Owning a business with his daughter Shanna is a big bonus. He says, "it's exciting to watch Shanna grow into a leadership role as she manages the storefront and meets with customers" Greg and Shanna are both very proud of the work they do and the community in which they live. They are especially proud of their Fully Promoted team.
Shanna welcomed the opportunity to work with her father, whom she considers her mentor. She discovered that she loves the creative process involved in her new role. She enjoys collaborating with customers and ultimately bringing their dreams to reality.
Greg's team includes Shanna as General Manager, Kristin Overton in graphic design and production and Esther Hagler in sales and production.
Together team Fully Promoted have many great success stories. They include printing graduation stoles for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
and delivering them within 48 hours. The team takes great pride in producing custom items for bridal parties, anniversary gifts, and family trips.
Fully Promoted can design and create items for every occasion. That is what truly sets Fully Promoted apart from other retailers. They are a one-stop shop. They are locally owned and operated and have a team of professionals ready to help.
The Fully Promoted team is presenting and organizing a charity event called, The Kickin' Cancer Kickball Classic to take place on Saturday September 30th at Mills Field in Julington Creek. To sign up to play on a team, be a sponsor or to volunteer please visit... http://soulsofthebeach.com/
In addition to candy and popcorn, they offer bottled sodas, Claude’s popsicles, gourmet teas and more. Any of the items they sell can be assembled into custom gift baskets or promotional packages for your local business. They also host children’s Birthday Parties, what a unique experience!
The future looks sweet at the Poppin Box, as they will soon be adding fudge to the menu. They are also excited about their new “Food Trailer,” that will bring the popcorn to you at community and private events around the area.
What are you waiting for? Pop in today and take a sweet trip down memory lane.
The Poppin Box
116 Bartram Oaks Walk #102, St. Johns, FL 32259
(904) 484-7030
Connect on Facebook @Thepoppinbox1
Kate was a wife. She was a pilot. She was a friend. She was a daughter. In the midst of a recurrence of a rare form of cancer, she said that “finding a cure for cancer is like finding one special grain of sand on the beach…the more help the better our chances.” In the midst of her battle, she called on others to help fight for cancer awareness and for a cure. Her husband, Greg Waidmann, carries that message on today as he, and other “Souls of the Beach,” continue to promote awareness and research through their non-profit.
Kate’s Story
Kate Schwikert Waidmann attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, played collegiate soccer, and pursued a career in aviation. Being a pilot was more than a profession to her, it was her passion.
In 2012, in her early 30s, Kate was diagnosed with appendix cancer that then spread to her abdomen, her colon, and right kidney. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy and then entered remission. Sadly, the cancer returned in 2014 and she passed away that year. Throughout it all, Kate maintained her positive attitude, her tenacity, and her love for family and others. While in the hospital she, along with her husband Greg, arranged to have stuffed animals delivered to children at a local hospital. They also decided to start a charity to help bring awareness to appendix cancer.
Souls of the Beach
When discussing the name of the charity, Kate insisted it have something to do with the beach because she and Greg were “beach people.” They lived close to the beach and spent many days playing beach volleyball and jogging, and many evenings strolling along the shore. She flew with her husband Greg to many destinations, but her favorites were always beaches. She especially loved Scotland Cay, Abaco, Bahamas.
Get Involved
Souls of the Beach raises funds through the online sale of positive, motivational t-shirts and decals at soulsofthebeach.com. They also participate in the “Color Me Kate” 5K started at Embry Riddle to support Kate and Souls of the Beach. Funds raised by the Non-Profit go to a Scholarship at Embry Riddle in her honor and to Dr. Paul Sugarbaker’s Foundation for Applied Research in Gastrointestinal Oncology (FARGO).Dr. Sugarbaker is a pioneer of heated chemotherapy used in the treatment of different gastrointestinal cancers, he was also Kate’s doctor.
Souls of the Beach is looking forward to holding a 5K fundraiser in the St. Johns area in the near future. Please visit their Facebook page, “Souls of the Beach,” to stay updated and get involved in raising awareness for and finding a cure for appendix and gastrointestinal cancers.
Greg would love to talk to anyone interested in joining the cause. He invites the public to stop by his shop, Fully Promoted (540 SR 13 N, Ste 105, Fruit Cove, FL 32259) to pick up a free window cling to raise awareness and visibility for the cause.
There is a small business here in St. Johns that is one of a kind; Rivertown Fine Wine & Spirits on CR 210 near Publix. What makes it special is the owners, Frank & Bonnie Dvoravic. The couple has been here since 2006, with 2017 marking their eleventh anniversary. Over the years, they have seen a lot of changes with new people and neighborhoods, and new businesses coming and going. Their consistent presence, friendly personalities, and all-around kindness have made them both well-known and loved in our community. Here is a place where hello and how may I help you really mean something.
Inside Rivertown is an extensive selection of fine wines and liquor, with highly rated brands and favorites specifically chosen by Bonnie and Frank. A beautiful glass case along the left wall houses fine cigars, Bonnie’s specialty, from all over the world. Near the back of the store is Frank’s collection of Bourbons, over 100 varieties, which he has specially selected for his customers. Frank has been in the liquor business for over twenty years and during that time he has developed a passion for good bourbon. They also have a large selection of Tervis Tumblers covering an entire section of the store.
Each year in honor of the store’s anniversary that coincides with Bonnie’s successful battle against pancreatic cancer, they hold a silent auction to benefit PANCAN, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Community members are familiar with the big green bottle on the counter where customers may donate to this excellent cause. In 2016 they raised over $16,000! So far in 2017, they have already raised $7,200!
Which brings us back to the topic of COMMUNITY. A few months ago, Rivertown was broken into. Both the community and Frank & Bonnie were taken off-guard. Property was damaged and money was stolen from that very special green bottle on their counter where they keep donations to PANCAN.
What happened next was an amazing example of how St. Johns as a community came together in force to show their support for this beloved local business. Like the little girl who told her Dad she wanted to donate her allowance to Rivertown. Or, the regular customer who came in and asked Frank how much he lost. Frank told him it was about $400. Not long afterward the man came back with $400 - he had gone to the bank to get it. A local woman heard about what happened and started a go fund me account which raised over $1200. The response from the community was overwhelming and although Frank and Bonnie never expected it they were grateful beyond words.
There is a photo taped near the entrance to Rivertown that shows Frank and Bonnie’s beautiful Riverfront home not long after Hurricane Matthew had blown through and left its destruction last fall – there is a rainbow shining over the dock and it is about the most beautiful sight you’ve ever seen. Bonnie took the photo, she said, to remind her of how lucky they are and how things always have a way of working out. Frank and Bonnie devote themselves every day to giving back whether it is through PANCAN or just a friendly smile to someone who stops by the store. In return, they have helped create the kind of community that cares. Thank you, Bonnie and Frank for all you do to make St. Johns great!
Tips from WJXT-4 Anchors
Jennifer Waugh, Mary Baer, and Joy Purdy
with Photos by Mindy Kerry of Nature's Child Photography
Jennifer
Her own parents, “Grandma and Grandpa,” and her sister play an active role in her children’s lives. This support allows her to have a career and be a good role model, especially for her daughter, who Jennifer wants to understand that she can have a career and a family. Jennifer learned this firsthand from her own mother who was a full-time Nurse. She describes her mom as generous, giving, and a great listener. She says the take away from her own mother is that you have to “be all in” as a parent. To always remember that while you might sacrifice a lot of your own free time as a parent, your children are only young for a short time.
So how does she make that time count? Organization is the key. She is a big proponent of ‘lists’ and loves the feeling of accomplishment when she can check items off of her lists. Her favorite Christmas present was the Amazon Echo and the Alexa Voice Service. Now when she thinks of something to add to the list, or something that she needs to do, she just calls out, “Alexa” and Alexa helps her in her list-making endeavors. Being on The Morning Show means early mornings for her and being prepared is the key! Having clothes for the children—and herself laid out the night before, down to the shoes and socks, having the lunches made and everything packed helps reduce stress so you are not rushing at the last minute.
When Jennifer does have free time she likes to relax by exercising. She runs. Everywhere. She runs on the treadmill at the station, over the bridges in downtown Jacksonville, or with her family. She describes herself as a “jock,” who loves all sports. She coaches her daughter’s basketball team and can be seen shooting hoops or playing tennis with her kids when she’s not at work. Sports are her outlet and a great bonding time with her family.
Mary
Faith is very important to this mom, now grandma. Prayer every morning sets the tone for her day. The time she spends praying starts her day on a positive note and prepares her for what is to come. Faith and prayer are things she learned from her own mother. As she talks about her mother, one can see just how special family is to her. She talks with love about a mom that can laugh about anything and finds joy in everything. Mary recently went on a road trip with her mother, who is 94, her best friend, also named Mary, and her young grandson. Her grandson is the absolute light of her life as is her daughter. She beams with pride as she describes her daughter’s career as a hairstylist at Zimmiz, the place where her daughter received her first haircut as a little girl.
It was the inspiration and support of her parents that led her to college, her mom’s encouragement that brought her to broadcast journalism, and the love of her family now that motivate her. Her friends offer great support to her, as well. When she needs help around the farm and may be busy at work, they are there to help out. Fitness is her outlet. She takes Pilates and runs on the treadmill at the Station. This helps her clear her head and focus. She also loves to spend time with friends, including Joy Purdy who often hops on the next treadmill and chats.
Joy
Jennifer, Mary, and Joy taught me that the journey of motherhood is different for every mother and her children, but there are common threads that help keep things balanced—faith, family/friends, organization, and an outlet. Faith is personal and unique to each one of us, but helps us to find peace and purpose in our role as mother. Family and friends are there to support us and love us, so we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help—and take it. It truly does take a village. Finding a system of organization that works for you and your family is extremely important to helping your household run smoothly and reducing stress. Moms also need an outlet that makes them feel happy and healthy, whether it is fitness, crafting, reading, choose something that helps you recharge and relax. Balance looks different for each of us, but it is possible. Take a deep breath, look at your children, and know that motherhood is a million wonderful things. Now, hop on that unicycle, and get to balancing those plates, you can do it, Mama!
Author
St. Johns Magazine
Debbie Gaylord
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