St. Johns Magazine October 2020

October 2020

ST. JOHNS Magazine 7th annual

Art Issue

Featured Artists

Nikki Rakov Eric Rakov Alma Ramirez Terri Rampone Judith Goldstein

Shangra-la Spring

by Nikki Rakov www.stjohnsmag.com

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third annual

2020

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FUN & GAMES FOR PEOPLE & PETS • • • • • • •

Live DJ & “Barktoberfest” beer tent Latin/Peruvian cuisine food truck Smoothie King smoothies Bounce houses for kids Alligator exhibit from the FWC Pet & family photo booth Red carpet pet costume event for pets arriving in costume • Giveaways and prizes drawn every thirty minutes! Includes multiple chances to win free pet food for a year from our pet food suppliers! Must be in attendance to win.

• Pets R Family Facility Tours & Open House

www.stjohnsmag.com

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Locally Owned & Designed with

LOVE!

ST.magazine JOHNS October 2020 Publisher & Creative Director Debbie Gaylord debbie@stjohnsmag.com 904-687-8538 Photographer Mindy Kerr Nature's Child Photography St. Johns Magazine is dedicated to covering the topics readers care about - from hometown stories and community spotlighs to food, health & business.

Published twelve times a year, St. Johns Magazine is designed to engage readers adn inspire them to enjoy the good life Northern St. Johns has to offer!

All rights reserved Š2012-2020 ŠSt. Johns Magazine LLC. St. Johns Magazine is published monthly and distributed by US postal Service to select homes in Northern St. Johns. It is free of charge to consumers receiving it in the mail. It is also availalble at many drop points in Northern St. Johns and by subscription.

All material is compiled from sources believed to be reliable and published without responsibility for errors and ommissions.

Printed by The Hartley Press, Jacksonville, FL

www.stjohnsmag.com 4

Happy Halloween

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Do you love local food? Our girl, Lori Allen puts her heart and soul into reviewing the best local restaurants in St. Johns! If you missed any of the reviews in the print magazine - no worries - her blog is published online at www. stjohnsmag.com as well!

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Artist Profile

Ichitucknee Float

acrylic on canvas 36" x 36"

Nikki Rakov What is the story of how you became an artist?

Art has been my passion since I was a small child. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawing and painting, creating works of art that reflect experiences of my surroundings. As a child, I lived in Virginia and California before settling in North Florida and I have many memories of time spent in those places expressing myself through my art.

During high school, I took every art class offered and then enrolled at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia earning a Bachelor’s degree in the Visual Arts as well as in Art History. During my undergraduate years, I studied drawing, painting and art history while living in Florence, Italy for six months. This Italian adventure was a turning point for me as that experience strengthened my passion for the Fine Arts and for travel, instilling in me a lifelong passion for both art and travel. After graduation, I returned to North Florida and began teaching high school art in Duval County.

To see more of Nikki's art visit www.rakovfinearts.com 8

The artist at work in her studio

Fast forward twenty-three years later and I am still teaching, having moved 13 years ago to teaching in St Johns County. I am currently enrolled in a Masters of Fine Arts program at the Savannah College of Art in painting. During my time as a high school teacher, I have been painting and drawing, entering works into local shows, staying involved in the local arts community and have many works in individual and in corporate collections.

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Artist Profile St. Stephen's Green Collage

Eric Rakov How did you get started as an artist?

I enjoyed drawing and had a natural inclination towards visual arts at an early age. Art classes were always my favorite in school and I won a scholastic award in high school as well as AP credit. I attended Rochester Institute of Technology and I earned a BFA in Graphic Design and an AA, and after graduation in 1996 I immediately joined a tech startup designing web sites. I figured out quickly that I was better suited for (and could earn more) in IT project management, which has essentially been my career for the last 23 years. I dabbled in painting and drawing over the years, but when I met my wife Nikki (also an artist) in 2014, the artistic part of me was re-awakened.

What has been the most memorable response to your work?

We joined the St. Augustine Art Association several years ago, which has been a fantastic organization to support and have access to the resources it provides. Having a piece accepted and displayed in their gallery for the first time was definitely a treasured memory.

We also received a really positive response from friends and neighbors who viewed our pieces on display at Twisted Compass coffee this spring.

What inspires you?

I consider myself more of a hobbyist than an artist, and I’m easily impressed with others’ work. I follow several hashtags and artists on Instagram and am blown away by some of the landscape art that I see in my feed. I’m also impressed by some of the productivity from artists who are able to create a painting per day (or more). For my own work I enjoy working from life when possible, and many of my favorites are simple still life coffee cups, sea shells, as well as figure drawings (which haven’t happened in a while due to COVID-19).

What aspect of your work do you enjoy most?

I like to work in traditional media such as acrylics and oils, and lately I’ve gotten more into collage using cut magazines. I apply the media in a somewhat “painterly” style building colors in layers, creating dark shadows and bright highlights. Making a collage is also kind of like working a jigsaw puzzle or building with legos, where there’s a lot of searching for the right piece. Collage, unlike wet-media paints, can also be worked on in smaller time slots (less prep and cleanup). My favorite part is being in the thick of the work itself, fully transfixed and losing track of time while in the act of creating a piece. The most difficult part is knowing when to stop.

To12 see more of Eric's art visit www.rakovfinearts.com

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Mandarin United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch

11270 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223-7286 (904) 2685549 www.mumc.net Located in Mandarin, the Mandarin United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch is one of the biggest in the city. Pumpkins of all sizes, this patch also offers props including giant pumpkins, mini tractors, Fall decor and more, making it the perfect spot for fall photos.

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Artist Profile

Alma� Ramirez Alma Ramirez, contemporary abstract artist, creates pixelated-inspired waterfront art Mexican-American artist, Alma Ramirez, transformed grief and uncertainty into hope and tranquility. One day in late 2014, Ramirez was walking up and down the Florida coastline, snapping photos of the surf and sand, contemplating the impending certainty of raising her son as a single mother.

With the crash of a wave, Ramirez dropped her camera into the water. The artist discovered after downloading waterlogged, pixelated images, while her camera was broken, her hope was not.

Ramirez discovered that even a “broken image” can be beautiful.

“The images inspired me to pick up my paintbrush and use colors to create a story,” explained Ramirez, who earned

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Afternoon Glare

a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Instituto de Bellas Artes in Chihuahua, Mexico. “By exploring the concept of my broken images, I was able to notice pure colors, shapes, forms, and even emotions. My work became a source of meditation for me – helping me form a new vision and a new perspective for my life.”

Pink, lilac, and orange sailboats gather amidst a sea of pixelated blue hues in Afternoon Glare. Pockets of cornflower, goldenrod, and teal marsh grass grows out of the rectangular waterway in Marsh In Blue. In Serenity By The Water, towering masts are the pinnacle of vibrant, multi-colored sailboats resting in the bay. These are just a few of the pieces of art in Ramirez’s vast and growing collection, which range in price from $300 to more than $6,000.

(Oil on Canvas)

“I believe feelings can be transmitted through color and composition,” the artist said. “There is so much poetry in color alone that I can’t resist but try and combine and arrange tones and shapes in different ways – creating or recreating a story. I’m always astonished at how much I can share with the world through my art, my love for nature – especially the ocean – and my journey seeking peace within the waves.”

ALMA RAMIREZ FINE ART’S vibrant and modern interpretations of waterfront scenes can be found by appointment only at her gallery location in the San Sebastian Art District, 134 Riberia Street, St. Augustine, Florida. Learn more at alma-ramirez.com and follow along on Instagram @almaramirezart

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Artist Profile

Breezy Day Just You and Me

TERRI RAMPONE What is the story of how you became an artist?

I’ve been painting since I was eight years old. Attended The School of Visual Arts in New York and then moved onto The Fashion Institute of Technology.

Today 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

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Acrylic on Canvas

Terri is the owner of Nouveau Image Permanent Makeup www.nouveaupc.com

permanent make up artist. 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.

How does your work as a permanent makeup artist fit into your journey?

I also use my artistic experience to apply Permanent Makeup to enhance eyebrows, eyeliner, lips and Areolas and scars with several different techniques. I love giving back to people in need and enjoying making a simple change in their lives that brings so much joy.

As a fine artist what describes your approach?

Anything with color and movement and shadows seems to catch my eye the most. I can get absorbed into the art and get lost inside it. 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.

I admire 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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Art news

St. Augustine Art Walk Start the month (and weekend) off with AGOSA–the Art Galleries of St. Augustine!

Even though Covid-19 has upended a normal night out, our local artists and galleries have found ways to safely stay creative and open. The monthly tradition of First Friday Art Walk affords art lovers, locals and visitors an opportunity to get out and explore the rich artistic culture of the nation’s oldest city.

On Friday, October 2, from 5-9:00pm galleries will be introducing their featured artists and new exhibits for the month, with many of the artists on hand to talk and answer questions about their work. There are close to 30 galleries, each with its own style, located in and around the downtown area and over the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island and the Beach. Due to Covid-19, not all locations will be open, so check for updates on artgalleriesofstaugustine.com or the AGOSA social media channels.

For easy mobility downtown, gallery patrons and visitors can enjoy the complimentary shuttle service that runs from 6-9:00pm provided by Old Town Trolleys who have installed Plexiglas dividers and require riders to sanitize their hands prior to boarding.

To use this service, shuttle stickers may be picked up at any participating gallery. The shuttle may be boarded at any of the three stops on King Street–in front of Butterfield Garage and ArtBox, the Lightner Museum and Aviles Street–as well as Cathedral Place and Hypolita Street. Parking for Art Walk is free at the meters after 5:00pm, with additional parking available at the San Sebastian Winery and the City Parking Garage ($).

Self-Driving to the greater St. Augustine galleries, where there is onsite parking, is recommended. For everyone’s health and safety, please sanitize your hands and wear a mask when visiting the galleries as they’re all taking extra precautions to keep you safe too!

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Rachel

Mixed media *currently on display at CC Gallery.

by Judith Goldstein

"Another response to this period of isolation and the reach for comfort! "This too Shall Pass" is something that my Mother and Grandmother used to say to me whenever I was sad.

These words are familiar to me and have brought soulful memories of my childhood and the serenity of the shelter and safety we took for granted."

Judith Goldstein

Current Exhibits Judith Goldstein 1Artfully Jude

Judith Goldstein has been featured in St. Johns Magazine in the past.

She is an extraordinary woman with a beautiful and unique perspective.

To learn more about her journey or to see her current work visit her website at judeart.com

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SPOTLIGHT ON

A Message From The Vet

by Dr. Deckard, DVM, Pets R Family

Feline Urinary Tract Disease Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) refers to a group of disorders that involve the bladder and the urethra, and the symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and can have many different causes. Regardless of the reason, the disease presents itself the same way. You may notice one or all these signs if your cat has FLUTD: • Frequent trips to the litterbox • Inappropriate urination (outside of the box) • Bloody urine • Crying out, hiding, or other behavior abnormalities • O vergrooming and licking hind end • Straining to urinate (which can be confused with constipation) • Urinary blockage When your cat has any of the above symptoms, they should be seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible, and if they are straining to urinate or unable to urinate at all, this can be a lifethreatening emergency- especially in a male cat.

Your vet will likely run various tests that include urinalysis, bloodwork, x-rays, or ultrasound, to help diagnose the cause of the condition and devise a treatment plan.

IDIOPATHIC CYSTITIS: This is the most common diagnosis that is found to cause many of the above symptoms. It’s a painful inflammatory condition of the bladder that usually affects younger cats 3-6 years of age. Unfortunately, idiopathic means “unknown cause,” and it’s not exactly known what triggers this condition.

There are multiple factors such as stress and

anxiety that seem to influence the occurrence of cystitis.

BACTERIAL CYSTITIS/ URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI): Your vet will be able to run tests to diagnose a bacterial infection, which is far less common in younger patients.

It’s treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, it requires a culture to determine which antibiotic will work best.

STONES AND CRYSTALS: These are minerals that collect in the urinary tract and irritate and obstruct the bladder and urethra. Nutritional causes, dehydration, UTIs, high mineral content in the urine, certain drugs, and congenital reasons can all contribute to stone formation. Some stones can be treated, but first their mineral composition must be known. One type of common stone- struvite- can be dissolved and prevented with long-term use of prescription diets that are limited in certain minerals and promote acidification of the urine, but most stones must be removed surgically.

OBSTRUCTION: If the cat is unable to pass urine, this is an emergency! It’s typically a problem of male cats, as their urethra is narrower than a female’s, and crystals, stones, and mucus plugs cannot pass through as easily. A cat who cannot pass urine is in dire straits. Their bladder fills to capacity with urine, hardens, and their kidneys start to fail. Toxins build up in the bloodstream and electrolyte imbalances occur.

If left untreated for 24 hours or more, the cat is at great risk for dying if rapid, aggressive treatment is not instituted. Most cats can recover, but

they are at risk to obstruct again, so pay close attention to their symptoms to catch it early!

There is a surgery that can be done to widen the urethra in male cats who have blocked multiple times, but it’s often a last resort.

Less common causes of urinary problems are anatomical genetic defects, cancers, and benign tumors.

With such a complex disease, please keep in mind that there is no single method of treatment or management. Complete prevention of urinary tract disease is not always possible, but there are some things to do that can certainly help lessen the chances of it occurring. The most important thing is water. Feeding primarily canned food and having multiple sources of water around will encourage cats to drink more, thus keeping their bladders flushed and happy.

Over the counter “Urinary Health,” diets are not likely to make much of a difference for a cat who is prone to FLUTD, but your vet may recommend a prescription diet for your cat’s specific condition. There are also veterinary approved supplements, treats, and pheromones to help, and providing cats with plenty of enrichment can often help cats feel less stressed, lessening the occurrence of unwanted urinary behaviors.

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