The Atlantic Beacon Gallery,
Voted Best Art Gallery - 2008 BREEZY AWARDS!!
THANK YOU!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
"Staging", a new term for Artistic Flair!
(as published in the Tybee Breeze, Nov 2008 issue)
“The Big Bang Theory!
By Debbie Brady Robinson
We’re all tightening our belts, poised for the saving graces promised by the next administration! Americans have either been to the polls, or will do so very shortly, depending on today’s date. Collectively trembling at the knees a wee bit more than we would prefer to admit, the majority of the American people are in a wait and see mode. What, pray tell, is the next four years going to bring us?
History repeats itself in many ways. Bank failures, Wall Street woes, and unstable global markets force introspection. Spawned by every down turn, vast changes are reflected in society. The resiliency of the American people becomes apparent; free enterprise spurs creativity. New industries blossom- alternative fuel sources, hybrid cars, and going green, to name a few. Properties stand vacant with For Sale signs speckling every neighborhood! Houses aren’t selling, and everyone needs an EDGE! It’s odd how things evolve; whole new industries spring up. The old adage “necessity is the mother of invention” was never more of a truism than today!
A few years ago, well before the current serious economic turn of events, yours truly (artist/writer) began performing quasi decorating/artistic arrangement services for local clients. This service involves going into a “For Sale” property, assessing what might be coined “Awe Appeal" (combination of curb appeal and interior pizzazz!), and formulating a ‘color palette’ makeover plan to give the client the most bang for his buck! This modern day ‘Big Bang Theory’ is typically achieved by #1, the effective utilization of the client’s existing furnishings (old stuff!); and #2, the addition of a minimum number of additional accents (new stuff!). Solely in an effort to set the stage for that all important WOW Factor!
Little did I realize that my career was already beginning to evolve as a natural sign of the times. Yours truly had unknowingly become engaged in the business of ‘Home Staging’! Until very recently, the term ‘Staging’ might have been mistaken for a term used only in the Theater. The Wikipedia defines ‘Home Staging’, as “the act of preparing a private residence prior to going up for sale in the real estate marketplace... Staging focuses on improving a property to make it appeal to the largest number of buyers by transforming it into a welcoming, appealing, and attractive product for sale”. The process of which, used to be achieved by ‘Artistic flair’, absent the title of interior decorator or designer!
Realizing that I had already been engaged in the profession of "Staging" for quite some time, I decided that I might as well go ahead and become certified – now that I was aware that there was indeed such a term! Ah, credentials… "Staging", one more line item on the old resume’! Artist, Artistic Flair, an eye for design… you’ve probably either got it, or you don’t! For instance, do not, under any circumstance, ask me to be a nurse – I faint at the mere mention of blood! Color, in any other form, now that’s a horse of a different … o.k., pardon the pun! So, if a certificate gives a little more comfort and confidence to a client, then so be it, “Certified Stager’ it is!
The wonderful thing about ‘Artistic Flair’, oops – I mean, “Staging” (regardless of the term) is that it’s great fun; and one gets to use all of the eggs in her artistic basket! My staff will be the first to attest that I, for one, constantly say; “if all I had to do was paint, be out front serving customers, and do displays (merchandising), I would be thrilled!” Staging allows me to incorporate all of the aspects of my job that I most enjoy; and it’s usually quite fast - I’m generally in and out within a matter of days!
“The Big Bang Theory!
By Debbie Brady Robinson
We’re all tightening our belts, poised for the saving graces promised by the next administration! Americans have either been to the polls, or will do so very shortly, depending on today’s date. Collectively trembling at the knees a wee bit more than we would prefer to admit, the majority of the American people are in a wait and see mode. What, pray tell, is the next four years going to bring us?
History repeats itself in many ways. Bank failures, Wall Street woes, and unstable global markets force introspection. Spawned by every down turn, vast changes are reflected in society. The resiliency of the American people becomes apparent; free enterprise spurs creativity. New industries blossom- alternative fuel sources, hybrid cars, and going green, to name a few. Properties stand vacant with For Sale signs speckling every neighborhood! Houses aren’t selling, and everyone needs an EDGE! It’s odd how things evolve; whole new industries spring up. The old adage “necessity is the mother of invention” was never more of a truism than today!
A few years ago, well before the current serious economic turn of events, yours truly (artist/writer) began performing quasi decorating/artistic arrangement services for local clients. This service involves going into a “For Sale” property, assessing what might be coined “Awe Appeal" (combination of curb appeal and interior pizzazz!), and formulating a ‘color palette’ makeover plan to give the client the most bang for his buck! This modern day ‘Big Bang Theory’ is typically achieved by #1, the effective utilization of the client’s existing furnishings (old stuff!); and #2, the addition of a minimum number of additional accents (new stuff!). Solely in an effort to set the stage for that all important WOW Factor!
Little did I realize that my career was already beginning to evolve as a natural sign of the times. Yours truly had unknowingly become engaged in the business of ‘Home Staging’! Until very recently, the term ‘Staging’ might have been mistaken for a term used only in the Theater. The Wikipedia defines ‘Home Staging’, as “the act of preparing a private residence prior to going up for sale in the real estate marketplace... Staging focuses on improving a property to make it appeal to the largest number of buyers by transforming it into a welcoming, appealing, and attractive product for sale”. The process of which, used to be achieved by ‘Artistic flair’, absent the title of interior decorator or designer!
Realizing that I had already been engaged in the profession of "Staging" for quite some time, I decided that I might as well go ahead and become certified – now that I was aware that there was indeed such a term! Ah, credentials… "Staging", one more line item on the old resume’! Artist, Artistic Flair, an eye for design… you’ve probably either got it, or you don’t! For instance, do not, under any circumstance, ask me to be a nurse – I faint at the mere mention of blood! Color, in any other form, now that’s a horse of a different … o.k., pardon the pun! So, if a certificate gives a little more comfort and confidence to a client, then so be it, “Certified Stager’ it is!
The wonderful thing about ‘Artistic Flair’, oops – I mean, “Staging” (regardless of the term) is that it’s great fun; and one gets to use all of the eggs in her artistic basket! My staff will be the first to attest that I, for one, constantly say; “if all I had to do was paint, be out front serving customers, and do displays (merchandising), I would be thrilled!” Staging allows me to incorporate all of the aspects of my job that I most enjoy; and it’s usually quite fast - I’m generally in and out within a matter of days!
Recently, I swapped out furnishings between all the rooms in a house, changed the color of a few existing accent pieces, through up a quick mural on an existing wall for a splash of color, painted a couple of pieces of old furniture, and tied everything together within three days! The total client out of pocket expense for the “new” objects purchased (fee withstanding of course) was less than $100! Now, don’t forget to read the fine print.. Not all cases are the same, prices may vary, can’t guarantee identical results… just kidding - the whole process of ‘Staging’ is really pretty painless! Viva La Artistic Flair!
Friday, October 17, 2008
We're Down to the Wire
This is it, the big weekend - October 18th & 19th; the 12th anual Tybee Festival of the Arts! I've got one more painting to complete for the show; and I'm sure that I'm not alone! Come on out and join us on the Tybee Pier and Pavilion. There will be lots of us there - artists of every kind; painters, potters, gourd arists, basket weavers, jewelers, photographers and more! You name it, and I'm sure you'll find it this weekend on Tybee. Come on out and enjoy the fun!
Hope to see you there!
Debbie
Hope to see you there!
Debbie
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tybee Festival of the Arts is this weekend & Hall of Frames will Ship your Treasures!
"On With the Show...."
by Debbie Brady Robinson
I'm taking a momentary break from my paint brush for a moment to sip a cup of coffee, and update my blog. Well the Pirate's Fest weekend is over; and what a terrible disappointment for all of those who tired so diligently to put it all together. My husband and I joined friends up in the mountains this past weekend, missing the The Pirate Fest, and rains that susbsequently extinquished the excitement. I felt guilty for leaving but, in retrospect, am glad that we were away. I would rather remember great times with dear friends than a poor Festival on Tybee. Business was far from great, but it certainly could have been much worse from a sales perspective. I give thanks for small blessings.
The "Tybee Fest" committee works all year long to make the weekend a success for all of us who own and operate local businesses on the island. It has become one of those "shoulder season" weekends which we have all come to count on to boost sales coming of the busy summer season. My heart goes out to all of those on the committee; and I commisserate along with all of my fellow buisness owners.
Now we turn our minds and energy toward the next big island event, the 12th Annual Tybee Festival of the Arts! We arists, are creating around the clock to prepare for this coming weekend's show on the Tybee Pavilion. Come on out and join us, and see just what our collective creative juices are serving up this year! Christmas is just around the corner! And, don't worry about shipping this year. Hall of Frames is now your local packaging and shipping center. Mark and staff are all geared up to package and ship Anywhere. And if your purchase comes from the Atlantic Beacon Gallery, we'll even gift wrap it for you at no extra charge. And, as always, we promise... SERVICE WITH A SMILE :)
Ya'll come on out now, where your flip flops, and stay awhile!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
" Pirate Fest 2008" Lmt Edition Prints now available!
" Pirate Fest - 2008 " 
Painted by the 2006 Pirate Queen, herself -
artist, Debbie Brady Robinson,
"Pirate Fest 2008" is Debbie's latest limited edition release; and newest of her "Pirate Fest" series. Each, of the 100 prints, is numbered and personally signed by Debbie. Now available for sale at the very Special Pirate Fest Rate of $20; reserve your low numbered print today for your favorite Swashbuckler!
Drop by, or contact the Atlantic Beacon Gallery; 912 786-9386, atlanticbeacon@aol.com, or visit us on the web: http://www.atlanticbeacongallery.com/
Shiver me Timbres, The Pirates Are Coming!
By Debbie Brady Robinson (first published in the "Tybee Breeze", Oct 2008)
Ahoy, me Hearties! “Hoist yer colors, ye salty buccaneers - the Pirates are comin’, and time's a runnin’ out! The 4th Annual Pirate Fest is comin’ Oct 10th - 11th and the hornswagglen lot soon’ll be invadin’ the island! Man ye Crows Nest, and keep ye sharp eye out for ‘em Swashbucklers tryin’ to slither past them alligators to the entrance! And I’m not talkin’ ‘bout them orange bilge-suckin’ kinda gators, up from Florida - but ye razor sharp toothed kind with hides fit fer ye best pair o boots! The Scurvy Dogs be a tryin to sneak past the gators through the back door by way o the Crabshack! Thar aimin’ to have a Buccaneer Ball and coronation of thar King & Queen on Thursday, Oct 9th (on the eve of destruction), from 6-10 PM!
Leadin’ the invasion, on Friday the 10th, at 6PM, by the long plank of the Tybee Pier, will be the the King of the Swashbucklers’ emself, none other than our head honcho, hog ridin’, swashbucklin’, Tybee’s own, King James, and top cop emself - chief, Jimmy Price! Whether he’s ridin’ in town on his “Hog”, or walkin’ ye down the plank, he’s a swashbuklin’ Tybee Salty Dog from way back! He’ll be lead’n the pack ‘long wit his Krewe of maraudin’ buccaneers and his saucy li’l Queen o’ the wenches, Natalie Gordon, by his side! King & Queen will be riden’ high durin’ the Pirate Parade on Sat. Oct 11th startin’ at 3pm!
Queen Natalie, will be right in her element, decked to the hilt, from the top of her boostia to the bottom of her boots! Natalie, along with husband Mel, owns and operates the Atlantis Inn (an inn for the imagination); and as top wench, she’s right in sync with the romantic themed rooms of the Atlantis Inn! “I just love to play dress-up!”, laughed Natalie. “I was ecstatic to be asked to be the Queen, but - I said, ‘are you sure you’ve got the right person?’ To be included in the same company as ‘you’ former Queens; (yours truly, 2006), Jenny Orr (2005), and Bonnie Gaster (2007), all former Pirate Queens – “you each have really Tybee roots; and you all reflect such great community spirit,” exclaimed Natalie! I’m just proud to have been asked, and to be in such good company”! I’m shocked, I’ve only been on Tybee for nine years!
Active in TAPS (community theater), Tie the Knot on Tybee, Tybee Tourism Council, and Tybee Fest to name a few - this year’s Queen is certainly no slouch where the Spirit of Tybee is concerned! Natalie owned and operated Sea Strands hair salon for a few years; and she and Mel have owned the Atlantis Inn, on the south end of the island since 2005. “Before the Inn, we used to buy up old Tybee cottages and restore them.” said Natalie. “We love keeping the community spirit and charm of Tybee alive!” The Atlantis is located in what was the old Beach Comber Motel. “Every time Mel and I used to drive by that building, he would say, ‘that would make a great themed type Inn’. One day, Mel came home and said, ‘I put in an offer on the Beach Comber building, and we now own it!’” After I picked my stomach up off the floor, the idea began to really grow on me”, professed Natalie! “We, especially Mel, have had a great time in Community Theater on the island; and as I said, ‘I just love to play dress-up’, so the Inn was a great way to let our artistic juices flow! We’ve had a great time coming up with idea, and decorating each of our twelve themed rooms!”
Pirates Fest is “one of the biggest events on Tybee”, said Jimmy Price. We’ve never had any problems; it’s a good safe parade! “The great thing about the Pirate Fest Parade is that it’s family oriented!” No doubt, his little wench on the side (of nearly three decades) wife Claire, who is a wiz on a sewing machine, will be whipping up a fine costume for the chief Swashbuckler, and whole entourage of children and grands! “It’s just fun for all ages”, said Jimmy! “After all, Arghhhh - everybody wants to be a pirate at one time or another! I remember wanting to be one myself, way back in the day; Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins - Treasure Island, wow that was really great! Now, after all these years, weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen; here I am… Argh, King of the Pirates!” laughed Tybee’s top cop! “I’ve only got one message for all the lads, lassie’s and buccaneers who’ll be stormin’ the island for the fun and festivities; “ have a great time, don’t lose yer head… and Be Safe out thar Ye Mate'ys!
Ahoy, me Hearties! “Hoist yer colors, ye salty buccaneers - the Pirates are comin’, and time's a runnin’ out! The 4th Annual Pirate Fest is comin’ Oct 10th - 11th and the hornswagglen lot soon’ll be invadin’ the island! Man ye Crows Nest, and keep ye sharp eye out for ‘em Swashbucklers tryin’ to slither past them alligators to the entrance! And I’m not talkin’ ‘bout them orange bilge-suckin’ kinda gators, up from Florida - but ye razor sharp toothed kind with hides fit fer ye best pair o boots! The Scurvy Dogs be a tryin to sneak past the gators through the back door by way o the Crabshack! Thar aimin’ to have a Buccaneer Ball and coronation of thar King & Queen on Thursday, Oct 9th (on the eve of destruction), from 6-10 PM!
Leadin’ the invasion, on Friday the 10th, at 6PM, by the long plank of the Tybee Pier, will be the the King of the Swashbucklers’ emself, none other than our head honcho, hog ridin’, swashbucklin’, Tybee’s own, King James, and top cop emself - chief, Jimmy Price! Whether he’s ridin’ in town on his “Hog”, or walkin’ ye down the plank, he’s a swashbuklin’ Tybee Salty Dog from way back! He’ll be lead’n the pack ‘long wit his Krewe of maraudin’ buccaneers and his saucy li’l Queen o’ the wenches, Natalie Gordon, by his side! King & Queen will be riden’ high durin’ the Pirate Parade on Sat. Oct 11th startin’ at 3pm!
Queen Natalie, will be right in her element, decked to the hilt, from the top of her boostia to the bottom of her boots! Natalie, along with husband Mel, owns and operates the Atlantis Inn (an inn for the imagination); and as top wench, she’s right in sync with the romantic themed rooms of the Atlantis Inn! “I just love to play dress-up!”, laughed Natalie. “I was ecstatic to be asked to be the Queen, but - I said, ‘are you sure you’ve got the right person?’ To be included in the same company as ‘you’ former Queens; (yours truly, 2006), Jenny Orr (2005), and Bonnie Gaster (2007), all former Pirate Queens – “you each have really Tybee roots; and you all reflect such great community spirit,” exclaimed Natalie! I’m just proud to have been asked, and to be in such good company”! I’m shocked, I’ve only been on Tybee for nine years!
Active in TAPS (community theater), Tie the Knot on Tybee, Tybee Tourism Council, and Tybee Fest to name a few - this year’s Queen is certainly no slouch where the Spirit of Tybee is concerned! Natalie owned and operated Sea Strands hair salon for a few years; and she and Mel have owned the Atlantis Inn, on the south end of the island since 2005. “Before the Inn, we used to buy up old Tybee cottages and restore them.” said Natalie. “We love keeping the community spirit and charm of Tybee alive!” The Atlantis is located in what was the old Beach Comber Motel. “Every time Mel and I used to drive by that building, he would say, ‘that would make a great themed type Inn’. One day, Mel came home and said, ‘I put in an offer on the Beach Comber building, and we now own it!’” After I picked my stomach up off the floor, the idea began to really grow on me”, professed Natalie! “We, especially Mel, have had a great time in Community Theater on the island; and as I said, ‘I just love to play dress-up’, so the Inn was a great way to let our artistic juices flow! We’ve had a great time coming up with idea, and decorating each of our twelve themed rooms!”
Pirates Fest is “one of the biggest events on Tybee”, said Jimmy Price. We’ve never had any problems; it’s a good safe parade! “The great thing about the Pirate Fest Parade is that it’s family oriented!” No doubt, his little wench on the side (of nearly three decades) wife Claire, who is a wiz on a sewing machine, will be whipping up a fine costume for the chief Swashbuckler, and whole entourage of children and grands! “It’s just fun for all ages”, said Jimmy! “After all, Arghhhh - everybody wants to be a pirate at one time or another! I remember wanting to be one myself, way back in the day; Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins - Treasure Island, wow that was really great! Now, after all these years, weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen; here I am… Argh, King of the Pirates!” laughed Tybee’s top cop! “I’ve only got one message for all the lads, lassie’s and buccaneers who’ll be stormin’ the island for the fun and festivities; “ have a great time, don’t lose yer head… and Be Safe out thar Ye Mate'ys!
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