Background
Originally from the coastal southeast (Panama City, FL and Tybee Island-Savannah, GA), I now live in Fort Lauderdale with my two cats and dog. The beach, sun, and saltwater has always been a part of my life and during the short periods of time that I have ever lived away from it, I can feel something is missing. Being on or near the ocean where I can smell the salt air just feels like home to me.
Credentials
1995 BFA in Metal & Jewelry Design from Savannah College of Art & Design
2011 MFA in Media Design from Full Sail University Online
I have held memberships in different organizations such as the Society of North American Goldsmiths, Tybee Arts Association, Women’s Prosperity Network, Florida National Trust, and the South Florida Jeep Club. None of which are currently active except for my service with the SFJC as the club’s secretary.
The Journey
I moved to South Florida in 2003 to pursue a temporary career change in the yachting industry and a major life change to get out of the rut I found myself in. After having worked for several years post-college to pay the bills of everyday life and never really following my creative desires, I discovered the opportunity that working on yachts had to offer – travel at someone else’s expense, meeting new people, and a mental break from the monotony of the typical office job. Along with a good pay and very few expenses so I could pay off some bills and save some money, I was finally able to purchase my first home. The yachting lifestyle was fun with a lot of hard work and also limiting for someone that desired to have so much more. I knew this would be a temporary career change and after my 3-year plan I “retired” from crewing and now work for a company that does electrical installations and service for the mega-yachts.
I met some great people during my adventures and one, who has become a wonderful friend and shares many of the same positive-thinking and manifestation beliefs as I, invited me to a seminar with her on personal self-improvement. It was at this event that I learned about how to let go the events of my past and feelings associated with them that were holding me back from pursuing the things in life that I desired. This began my study of personal and business development. Over the next two years I went on to take other courses from other companies until I found one that really suited me and have continued on with more of their advanced studies. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, finding a purpose for my life, and seizing opportunites.
Studio di Mare is a result of this self-discovery and is my “Why”. I had always thought about having my own art studio called “Saltwater Studios” and when I realized that it was time to develop my business under this name I found that another artist was already using this name and domain for her website. Coincidentally, a feature on her site is an idea that I had come up with for a website I want to develop to promote and educate artists. I then set out to figure out a new name that would still have the same meaning for me. I played around with some ideas when it occurred to me that I love Italy and most things Italian. So the Italian translation, in my opinion, was a better name for me than the English one. The name of Studio di Mare and its domain became mine in the summer of 2008.
Missions
After discovering my passion for personal development one of my missions here on the Studio di Mare Blog is to promote information about services and creative efforts by my family, friends and associations I have met to support those who are following their passions or to assist those who are searching for something more in their life. I also share personal stories from my own life’s challenges and adventures to hopefully provide value to anyone who may face similar situations.
Another project idea I have is to work on a separate website that will promote and educate visual artists. I have studied to find other sites like what I am developing and there are several out there. So far, none are built like the idea that is in my vision. At this time, the idea is conceptual and I need partners who are interested in helping financing the project and others who are good at the technical development as my skills are still limited.
As my Studio di Mare concept continues to develop, I will feature other creations through my studio store or other avenues that will be linked from this site. Keep your eyes open for an announcement when the “store” opens. Until then a “shop” is currently up and running on my CafePress site featuring my designs available on t-shirts, mugs, stickers, etc. and are produced on a per order basis. You can also view images from my modeling activities at Smiles for the Camera.
