"Tree of Life", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Tree of Life

This is a new mixed media piece that I've done, using several different techniques that I've learned throughout the last couple of years.  It was done with many layers of paint, papers, modeling paste, and acrylic inks.

This one symbolizes connection.  All of our lives are entwined and connected, no matter what are differences may be.  

This painting measures 24 X 24 on a thick, gallery wrapped canvas.  The texture is kissed with iridescent copper paint that gives it the feeling of being antique. it will be available in an upcoming Facebook Auction that I will be participating in. If you'd like a chance to bid on it, here is the link to join the event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1003365009793243/

You can also contact me at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

I'd love to hear from you!

www.donnamartinfineart.com

“Surrender to the Moment”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Surrender to the Moment

She finds herself lost in rare, quiet, solitude. Her mind wanders, illuminated with her dreams. Almost like a field full of wildflowers, touched by the sun, swaying in the warm breeze. Grace and peace are her momentary companions. She is grateful and surrenders to this one, small, moment in time.

This piece was created with many layers of papers, inks, paint, and modeling paste. The layers create rich depth and texture. It is done on a wooden cradleboard canvas and measures 14 X 18 X 1.5".

This piece is available. I would love to hear from you - feel free to email me at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

"Peace Within", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

 "Peace Within"

I was recently fortunate enough to host a workshop with the most fabulous artist, Jenny Grant.  http://www.flowbyjenny.com/en

I first found Jenny on Facebook a couple of years ago. Jenny is from Stockholm, Sweden.  On a whim, last year I asked her if she would come to the US and hold a workshop.  To my surprise, she said yes and was gracious enough to come to Colorado and hold a workshop on her mixed media techniques.  This painting was a result of her workshop. 

Here below are some photos of how my painting progressed through the many layers.  The first pictures depict how papers, inks, and paints were layered on to this piece.

Then I added more modeling paste for texture and then more color!  

After drying, we took a reference photo and proceeded to add a face.  I wanted the face to meld in with the background.

To finish off, I added some darker inks and more stamping.  She's done!  I love her.  

I will be forever grateful to Jenny for coming all the way over here to teach. She is one of the most gracious, kind, compassionate people that I've ever met. What a blessing to call her "friend".

I will be holding on to this painting, but I'd love to hear from you!  You can send me an email at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

You can also find me on my website:  donnamartinfineart.com

and on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

“Discover the Miracle of Forgiveness”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Discover the Miracle of Forgiveness

This was a very emotional process, working on this painting.  It will be donated to an online auction, with all the proceeds going to a very worthy cause.  This painting has a lot of symbolism and is very personal.  Rather than tell you my story of what it means to me, I’d like to let you all begin to write your own story…maybe even through this painting.    

This piece was very different from what I usually create.  It was quite a process and was created with many layers of paint, papers, stencils, inks, charcoal, gesso, pearl mica flakes, and modeling paste.  In the middle of the piece, it is embellished with an antique doorknob ~ again, another symbolism for me.

This piece will be available in an auction taking place in October.  Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/493292807542902/

You can also find more of my work on my website at:

donnamartinfineart.com

I welcome your comments!  Email me at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

"Beautiful Whisper", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Beautiful Whisper"

This piece is an original mixed media creation...my version of aspen trees.  It was created on a beautifully recycled wooden palette.  I used acrylic paints, inks, texture paste, and painted paper.  Each individual leaf was painted, torn from paper, and carefully adhered to the tree.

This piece was created with heart and soul.  I am so blessed to be able to live in Colorado and I love the fact that I was born and raised here.  I adore the mountains, the trees, the rugged terrain of this state.  Colorado is truly an inspiration to me.

This piece is sold, but commissions are welcome.  I'd also love to hear from you!

You can email me at :  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

"Becoming", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Becoming"

This little, chubby bird was created with painted papers, inks, stencils, and acrylic paint.  It has multiple layers.  On the first layer, I wrote words or "values", such as compassion, grace, and kindness.  These values represent more of who I want to become, thus the name of the piece.  I also hinted at some flowers just beginning to peak out from below the branches, blooming, if you will, but not yet full and complete.  This also symbolizes blossoming and transformation into something beautiful.

This piece found a new home, but prints are available at:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/becoming-donna-martin.html?newartwork=true

www.donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

“Green Forest”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Green Forest"

This is an original mixed media painting done on a recycled wood canvas.  This beautiful canvas is like a piece of art all by itself!  The trees were created with paper, crackle paste, and paint.  The original is sold, but commissions are welcome.  

I'd love to hear from you!  You can reach out to me at:  

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/ 

"You Are Not Alone", Original Mixed Media/Assemblage Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"You Are Not Alone"

This is my latest mixed media/assemblage.  The story unfolded as I was painting and constructing it.  I was thinking about how we are all faced with challenges in our lives, sometimes they seem insurmountable.  If I'm being real, authentic, and honest, I know lately sometimes I feel like I struggle to find the light in my soul and I can't seem to climb out of the darkness.  Painting helps me rise above this darkness and seek out the light. These wings came into existence and this verse kept coming to mind to remind me that when I feel dark and alone, I'm really not.
    
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  Psalm 91:11 (KJV) 

This color palette is not one that I normally use, but it fits the piece beautifully.  It is rich with texture and many subtle layers.  The middle piece is part of an antique corbel that I found.  I also found an antique bronze "lions head" and placed in the top part of the corbel.  To me, that symbolized protection and peace.  On the bottom of the corbel, I attached the words, "You Are Not Alone".  I finished the wings off with a resin coating, so it looks like glass floating over each wing.  

I am so fortunate to be taking part in an online auction that starts on May 24th and this piece will be available.  If you would like an invitation, or just would like to take a peek, here is the link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/872662112861082/

Always remember, you are not alone, no matter what!

donnamartinfineart.com

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

“She Danced”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"She Danced"

  

This one of my latest mixed media pieces.  The words just seemed perfect for this one.  I was inspired by an artist that teaches "tu tu" painting classes and I really wanted to try and make my own "dress" and add my own unique, personal touches and words.

Anyone who knows me, knows I struggle with words.  When I paint, I feel like I communicate what I can't say.  I get lost in another world and time slips away.

This is how I imagine it is for other artists as well.  I can imagine when dancing, time slips away and the dancer is transported into another world.

This canvas was huge, literally for me.  My brother has been encouraging me to do larger works.  So, because I love him so much and he always knows what's good for me, I took the leap.  This is my second attempt at a 36 X 36 X 1.5 canvas.  My first attempt felt so daunting and I felt so lost.  With this current piece, emotions and colors flowed out on to the canvas, with no trouble at all.  The painting seemed to paint itself.  It knew what it wanted to say.

My heart was in the moment and no words needed to be spoken as this creation came to life.

I feel like art gives life to unspoken words, at least for me it does.  I hope you have something in which you can be so totally in the moment that the world melts away, if only for a while.

This painting is finished with resin, so it has an almost glass-like finish while still being able to enjoy all the beautiful textures.  It is available.  Please feel free to email me with questions or comments.

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

“Joy in the Journey”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Joy in the Journey

This is one of my newest mixed media pieces, fresh off the easel.  I've discovered that I just love painting these wild and crazy flowers.  These flowers start out as "blobs" of ink and I really have to use my imagination to make them come to life!

This piece has many, many layers.  It has layers of paper and paint.  It also has some stenciling and layers of ink.  To finish it off, I added the words, "Discover the Joy in the Journey".  This painting truly was all about discovering the joy in the journey!  

This painting is another one that will be up for auction toward the end of May. If you are interested in participating in this event, or if you have any comments, please feel free to send me an email...I would love to hear from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

www.donnamartinfineart.com

www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

“Free to Dream”, Original Mixed Media/Assemblage Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Free to Dream"

This is a piece I completed for an art show that I did last year.  The wings were made with molding paste and sea glass.  I used an old antique wooded piece for the middle to tie the two wings together.  I found a rusty old piece of hardware and added the butterfly to the middle.  I also added the words "Free to Dream" on the lower portion of the wooden piece in the middle and an old antique chandelier teardrop to the bottom of the wooden piece.

This piece measures approximately 18" wide and about 13" at the highest point in the middle.  The wings are finished with an epoxy resin coating, which really makes the colors "pop".

This one has a new home up in the mountains now, but I'm open to commissions.

I would love to hear your feedback, so please email me with any comments or if you are interested in a commissioned piece!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

http://donnamartinfineart.com/

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

"Stages of the Heart", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Stages of the Heart

This is an original mixed media piece I created after going through alot of grieving, feelings of loss, and healing after the death of a dear friend. It is titled "Stages of the Heart". The first Heart is "Hopeful", in thinking about the beginning of a relationship and wondering what the future might hold. It is a red heart made of Tyvek and burlap, painted red. The second heart is "Broken", and represents what I was feeling about death and loss. It is a purple heart made of broken windshield glass. It expresses alot of emotion. The third Heart is "Healing", signifying the healing that can happen after loss. It is made of some of the broken windshield glass and bandages. The piece was finished with a resin, which gave it alot of depth and made the colors "pop".  This is a very personal piece to me and helped me to express all the various emotions that I was feeling.

The original piece is sold.  Commissions are welcome. 

For questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at: saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart

“Beyond Words, Original Mixed Media/Assemblage Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Beyond Words"

The photo above shows the finished piece, titled "Beyond Words".  The photos below show how it started out and the progression of this piece.  I got a wild hair and decided I needed to move out of my comfort zone and use some different colors.  To tell you the truth, I almost scrapped the whole painting.  It was REALLY out of my comfort zone!

I painted with grays, burgundy, and threw in a little Van Dyke brown for good measure.  I added tissue paper, collage papers, and modeling paste with a stencil.

I began to tone it down and soften it up by adding white.  I like how the other colors and patterns still show through.  There are alot of layers going on here!  At this point, I still don't know what is happening with this piece and I'm still not real happy with it, but I'm forging on.

I used a wing stencil with some modeling paste over the top of these layers.  I painted the wings iridescent pearl.  I also collect vintage/antique pieces to use in my work, although the turquoise piece on this one is new.  I really love combining old and new.  The rusty/patina piece is an antique door plate.  I also added a skeleton key.

I'm so glad I kept pushing forward and didn't give up on this piece.  I love how it turned out.  It's symbolic for me.  It seems I can never find the words to express my emotion and how I feel.  My art seems to speak for me.  This is symbolic of all the layers and how feelings and emotions can get ugly and uncomfortable at times, especially when they are raw and unfamiliar.  There are layers of change and then the courage to take risks...exploring something new and different.  If you have the courage to push on through the pain, ugliness, and raw emotion, you may find the the beauty in the mess and find your wings!

This painting is sold, but commissions are welcome.  Please feel free to contact me at

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/