ARTISTS SPOTLIGHT 

By Andrea Martone 

The St. Petersburg and Clearwater areas have a rich history of artists and a vibrant arts scene, which have evolved into a premier arts destination, with a collaborative and multifaceted arts community spanning visual arts, performing arts, museums, galleries, and public art. The arts have become deeply woven into the identity and character of these cities, serving as a “catalyst” for their renaissance and growth. This is my debut of a monthly column that will profile artists across mediums, from visual arts to performing arts. I welcome you to reach out to me if you would like to be featured in future issues via email at ParadiseNewsArtistsSpotlight@gmail.com.  ~ Andrea Martone 

The “Zenz” of Mural Painting 

39-year-old Michigan transplant Brad Zenz has been living in St. Petersburg for 11 years. His “Zen” moment came when he worked for the Dali Museum for some time before venturing out on his own to be a mural artist. With a Fine Arts degree, he recognized the beauty of the landscape surrounding St. Petersburg and was particularly drawn to azaleas, which would eventually lead to a business painting murals at residential homes. “Treasure Island resident homes and hotels have a lot of blank walls,” says Zenz, “I want to be that artist who transforms the space into beautiful murals.” While working on murals is one of his passions, he also does canvas painting and uses his fine arts skill with a mixture of graffiti, traditional painting and mixed media. His fees are quite reasonable, starting at $20 a square foot, a small price to pay for a masterpiece. In his spare time, Zenz enjoys his time with his wife and two retired greyhound racing dogs. You can reach Brad at: www.backyardmurelz.com,  or www.bradzenz.com, email: Bradley.zenz@gmail.com 

Pharaoh, Cleopatra & The Universe 

If you believe in reincarnation, then Sara Salem will tell you that she most likely had a strong past life in Egypt, as evident by her prolific artwork depicting the leaders of ancient Egypt. Egyptian by birth, 25-year-old Salem moved to St. Petersburg three years ago after living in Dubai for some time. “I needed a change,” says Salem, “and Dubai seemed to be an interesting place to live for a while.” She now works as a full-time muralist, artist and art teacher in St. Pete, but has expanded her talents into teaching yoga, reiki healing and conducting sound bath classes at her studio called Phi Artland, who many say is the best mind, body fitness center in St. Pete www.phiphiartland.com.  

Salem enjoys creating realistic, abstract murals, and uses lots of bright colors. “My emotions inspire me for my work,” she says. Her wellness studio has truly taken off given its vast assortment of offerings for those in St. Pete who want to achieve higher consciousness, inner peace, and express themselves through art. Martial arts is also offered, and Salem uses Muay Thai – a type of martial art found in Thailand. Muay Thai, sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the “Art of eight limbs,” as it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and body room, meditation, yoga.  Salem’s husband, Fahd, is the coach of martial arts. Married for 12 years, he is also Egyptian. Sara says they have been “best friends before we ever got married.”  The couple’s two Yorkies round out their bliss. To learn more about Sara and her work, visit: finearts@phiphiartland.com

What does a Mermaid Goddess and the Paranormal have in common? Brandy Stark. 

Sixty-year-old Stark has been a resident of Gulfport since 1992. She is a lifetime educator with an art passion that led her to working with metal sculptures evolving into wire mermaids, dragons and fairies, “I designed them primarily because I teach classical mythology,” says Stark. She is now incorporating crystals into her metal  

sculptures; “it’s all about the energy and synergy between the two,” she says. Her creations span sizes from 6 inches to 14 feet long, 5-foot diameters. She displayed her Mermaid at the Dali Museum, but it is often seen all around, as she repaints the mermaid every six months or so with different costumes (themes: sea hag Halloween, witch, ghost mermaid). She hopes to sell her Mermaid Goddess for a permanent installation somewhere in St. Pete. In her spare time, she is fascinated with the supernatural and paranormal. She is the host of Valentwe’en, an art show each year in St. Petersburg (www.spiritsofstpete.com/valentween).  

Valentwe’en was spawned in 2015 and its origins started as a new holiday to combine Second Hallowe’en (replacing Valentine’s Day, as inspired by memes on social media) and environmentalism (tied to the later spring holiday of Earth Day).  “The intention of Valentwe’en was to turn February into the new October with gothic and romantic themes,” says Stark.  Valentwe’en is celebrated in February, either on the full moon, or, if no full moon, on the 13th day. Heightening intrigue about Brandy Stark, you should know she’s part of the oldest team in the Tampa Bay area, called “The Spirits of St. Petersburg,” and she is an archivist who researches paranormal activity throughout the Gulf Coast. Stark has a studio at ArtLofts in St. Petersburg and can be reached at www.bstarkart.com/about

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