So I moved to the Caribbean 4 months ago and found myself a job. In the UK I worked as a graphic artist for a newspaper, and knew that it was very unlikely that those skills would transfer to a tiny island in the British Virgin Islands called Tortola.

I have found a job though, and it just may well be the best job I've ever had! I'm working in a Photography studio, that also happens to have an art gallery. The company also works on graphic design, photo restoration, and the gallery has the facilities to do framing of the artwork! I am actually getting to work in tradional and digital mediums, which I never thought would be possible in one job. I'm learning to use the machines to custom make frames and mats, and am able to add painted embellishments to prints on canvas.

The love of working in traditional mediums has returned too. I am in a more primative environment, so it just seems so natural to return to basics with my art too. I have been painting in acrylic, drawing with pastels, graphite and ink. I have to say though that years of working soley in digital medium has spoiled me. There is no 'Undo'! So my brain had to learn to compensate by being much more careful. Plus there's no way to duplicate an artwork to try a few varying ideas. If I make a mark or paint a stroke I have to be more thoughtful that I would in photoshop!

I have a few artworks in the studio at the moment, mainly portraits and it would seem the local people here are very interested in art and I have been asked to do a few comissions, so for the first time since university I feel like a 'real' artist....the Caribbean definitely agrees with me....the beaches aren't bad either

Tina