Self Love Requires Honesty | #SLS

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I've come to realize, the hard way, that I've had and still have a lot of healing to do! Self Love is not an overnight thing *insert Percy Sledge song*. It takes time to reach a comfortable level of contentment with self. It's a journey; one of upward toil but one of positive growth. In our journey of Self Love, it is integral that we seek to know ourselves, accept who we are and live freely in our truth.  In seeking to know and embrace our truest selves, a process of self reflection and introspection helps. The trauma; experiences that we go through have fashioned us into the persons that we are today. Our personalities, our self esteem; the way we interact with others, our imposed standards, our expectations are all influenced by the way we see ourselves; by the way we think and feel about ourselves. It's 'human nature' to first be negative before positive and unappreciative before we see good, so in order to change our thinki...

Island Girl Adventures | Tobago Visual Arts Association's "Art on The Beach"



The Island Girl Adventures Series seeks to capture the raw, unadulterated beauty of Trinidad and Tobago; the side that's not usually promoted or regularly spoken of; the hidden but desirable gems of the islands. Through it's people, amazing talent can be found once you're willing to search, and once you understand the importance of every day, humble citizens . On the smaller of the islands, you may know of the various art forms of dance (folk) and music (soca, calypso) but do you know that Tobago is blooming with creative visual artists? Artists that are passionate and successful at their handiwork?

Conversations With The Execs: Chris Thomas & Latoyaa Roberts

We recently caught up with the executive of the Tobago Visual Arts Association (TVAA) at their first event for the year, 'Art on The Beach' at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park. We had the wonderful pleasure of speaking to the current president, Chris Thomas, who is also a Visual Arts teacher at the Speyside High School. He told us of TVAA's vision of creating continuous support for local visual artists and providing education and guidance for the new generation of visual artists. Visual Artists through TVAA are provided with tangible and intangible resources that aid in their advancement and growth.

The 'Art on The Beach' initiative is one of these resources; an event with the dual purpose of educating visual artists of different genres and displaying the work of members of the association. Many of the persons who attended and took part in this first event were youth who are currently pursuing an educational interest in visual art but just about anyone can attend! If your interest lies in sketching, dabbling in the art of finger painting or forming masterpieces out of mounds of wood and bags of cement, then you can be a part of the next event! Persons with any and all visual art form interests are invited to be a part.

Chris Thomas - Photo By TVAA

Here's our Vlog (Video- Log) of Art on The Beach as we had the opportunity to interact with members of TVAA. We thank them kindly for accommodating us.



Latoyaa Roberts, the Secretary of TVAA informed us about TVAA's annual Heritage Exhibition at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort and the Gulf City Mall that displays pieces by members that are available for purchase. She also spoke to us about their working with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) that has lead to the THA's purchase of TVAA members' art pieces for display at government buildings like the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. We found this to be quite remarkable.

The next Art on The Beach will be on Sunday April 23rd at the Pigeon Point Beach at 1pm to 5pm. All interested in taking part are asked to register via the form on their Facebook Page.



Artist Feature: Tomley Roberts

Tomley Roberts - Photo By TVAA


The beach captures a scenic, serene experience, providing artists with inspiration and a clear mind to work. The atmosphere was peaceful and the sun allowed for basking. Our Artist Feature for TVAA's first Art on The Beach was Tomley Roberts. He is also a Visual Arts Teacher at the Speyside High School; at the beach he was seen giving guidance to students as they worked on their pieces.

Mr. Roberts, has been with TVAA since its inception and he was its first president; working in the developmental stages to ensure growth and longevity. We had an opportunity to speak with him as he completed three art pieces inspired by nature - the sights and scenes around him. His media of choice was oil pastel on pastel paper; a heavy and textured paper that is sturdy enough to hold the oil pastel well and also help bring life to the drawings. When asked the reason for his choice of media for the event, as opposed to paint, he spoke of the colours of oil pastel's ability to fuse together easily and it's portability that minimized messiness.

Every response seemed to be saturated with humility and joy for his art. He considers his children blessings as they inspire him to create pieces of them that are loved by everyone that lay eyes on them. He encourages the youth of Tobago who are seriously contemplating a career in creating visual arts to pursue it. He believes that their devotion and diligence will bring them success because there is indeed a market for the innovative visual art creator on the island of Tobago. He has been able to make a living through his love and commitment to art. His students are a reflection of his commitment to the advancement of Art on the island of Tobago. Both Mr. Roberts and Mr. Thomas have taught students who have been able to win local and national art competitions for their pieces.

His talent and ability goes far beyond just that of oil pastel as he is known as a master of many artistic genres. His studio, Prestige Arts International, is considered his haven as he works and displays his art there.

Hope to see you at the next Art On The Beach!


Contact The Tobago Visual Arts Association
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TobagoVisualArtsAssociation/
Chris Thomas: 743-1194
Latoyaa Roberts: 732-7630
Email: tobagovisualarts@gmail.com

Contact Tomley Roberts
Tel: (868) 702-8764
Email: prestigearts1@gmail.com
#48 Mt. Pleasant Local Road,
Mt Pleasant, Tobago

 

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