MEET MIAMIARTBLOG’S EDITOR-CECILIA PAZ

HELLO EVERYONE!!! I AM SO EXCITED THAT MY DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE !!!    WELCOME !!!

Miamiartblog has been my dream for the past 3 years and is now, finally, taking shape. We have gone through a lot of steps to get here. So, where do I begin? Well, I thought I would introduce myself. It is a short long, long story, but I promise to keep it short! lol

I am a Master Oil Realist Portrait and Figure Painter who has had formal training and 15 years experience in my field. I hold a Master of Fine Arts from MIU (Miami International University of Art & Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of the Arts, Philadelphia (how I miss those hoagies and cheesesteaks).) I also attended Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia for two years and FIU(Florida International University) for two and a half years. I worked at the renown publishing house, Editorial Televisa in the Marketing Department doing Graphic Design for Magazines such as Cosmopolitan in Spanish, National Geographic in Spanish, Men’s Health in Spanish and countless others.

Cecilia Paz and Yevgeny Senkevich (2011 Rally for Kids with Cancer-Celebrity Draft Party)

I have taught Art at the K-4th grade level for 2 years and then taught at Miami Dade College for 3 years as an Adjunct Art Professor. Currently, I teach private students and do Private Commissioned Paintings.

At first, this blog began in Blogger (which is perfectly a fine site), however, I have always wanted a “magazine style” blog and I switched to this WordPress site. It has been many, long sleepless nights which led me here, but here I am! Please go to tabs to learn more about me and my staff which supports me and of course, I have to thank so many people that are jumping on board with verbal commitments to connect myself as an artist and help connect other artists to get their names and work recognized.

In addition to Art, I decided to include Fashion as Miamians are way cool in their dress and too important to leave out. We are fashionable even going to the grocery store (yes, you know what I am talking about.) Also, the Social scene had to be acknowledged as there are parties every day in Miami with the fast, fabulous and famous! Lastly, but most importantly, Philanthropy is a major aspect of how this all ties in. I am a Cervical Cancer survivor and will do what I can to always give back to Miami and beyond. We can save the details for some other time. On a lighter note, I wish to welcome you and encourage you to JOIN OUR MAILING LIST, so we can send you updates of new stories!

I write most of the articles at the moment (control freak that I am), but am including “guest” bloggers and contributors.

Cecilia Paz and Loren Ridinger (Rally for Kids with Cancer)

Charities I have supported have been Bay Point Schools (The Blacks Annual Gala), St. Jude Children’s Hospital, ArtCenter South Florida, The Rally for Cancer (JR & Loren Ridinger with Eva Longoria), Zo’s Summer Groove, Help for Haiti (UM Medishare), Susan G. Komen for the Cure, The Vizcayan Ball, The Vizcayans, The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Photo for my Self-Portrait series where I paint myself to remind me to "Love Thyself"

We are lucky to have Yevgeny Senkevich, whose company is www.webatonic.com and is our Professional Social Media Expert and Advisor. This definitely integrates Miamiartblog  into hubs online that have limitless boundaries.

Also, on our team is the Fabulous Stylist & Fashionista, Kristina Eljaiek , a.k.a. Special “K.” You can email her, especially when you need an expert opinion about what to wear! She is a graduate in Retail and Apparel studies from Florida International University and reads Vogue as if it where her daily dose of inspiration!

Go to our Staff Tab to send them emails and for the meantime, copy and paste their emails into your browser!!! As more is developed each day on the Blog, please bear with us. The web is a fast-paced environment!

Special thanks to Norma Quintero; Social Affairs Publisher and Owner & former President of the Vizcayans, Norma Jean Abraham ; Philanthropist and incredible human being, Kim Bacardi; Philanthropist and someone whose selfless actions, I will never forget! Attorney Albert Bordas; Intellectual Propery Law, Joey Mugica; www.thecolorqueen.com (Digital Artist Photographer), JR & Loren Ridinger, Julio Kamara, Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio and the Tara, Ink team, Maryvellise Carpintero (my little pebble), Connie Herrera (another little pebble), and those who encouraged me along the way! Lastly, but most importantly, my family; especially my mother, Ana Paz who has believed in me since she realized her 5-year-old daughter was fascinated by painting and sculpting in Puerto Rico at such a young age.

And to God (yep, I believe in him) who left me here for a reason and that is to be the BEST ARTIST IN THE WORLD!!!

–Cecilia Paz,

May 13, 2011