“Dragons Soar”, by Colorado Mixed Media Artist, Donna L. Martin

Dragons Soar

 

 

 

This is the latest little painting I completed.  It's the time of the year I've been thinking about family, getting out in the warm sunshine, planting flowers, breathing in the fresh air.  I named it "Dragons Soar" because I have a little sign in my garden that says "In my garden, hearts soar and dragons fly." 

 

In thinking about the dragonfly and creating this piece, I found this interesting symbolism.  The dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months. This adult dragonfly does it all in these few months and leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living IN the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t and are able to make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis.

This ability lets you live your life without regrets like the great dragonfly.  This week, this day, are you living in the moment?

 

Here are some pictures of how this painting started out and went through the process.

 

This painting literally sat in my art studio for over a year, untouched.  I did NOT like how it was turning out and couldn't figure out what to do with it.  The sides and the bottom of it were painted bright red.  Really...who does that...FIRE ENGINE red!  I toned it down with some white.  The top background underneath the dragonfly is some really beautiful turquois paper that I found and altered.

 

I continued doing more alterations to the paper behind the dragonfly.  I added some irridescent orange...man those irridescent paints are gorgeous!  Started adding some blue over the white paint at the bottom and sides to try to tie it all together.

 

 

Here I began to add more turquois to the painting, again to try to tie it together, and because I LOVE turquois.

 

And...TaDa...I think it is done!

 

 

 

 

This little painting is 8 X 8 X 1.5 and is available to purchase.  It is finished with a resin coating, which eliminates the need for framing. It is available for purchase. If you have comments or are interested in purchasing, please contact me at: saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com. 

 

You can check out my other work at:

http://donnamartinfineart.com/   

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

 

  

 Fly Free

 

I have always been one of those people who is naturally shy.  I have a hard time expressing myself through words.  But, I just discovered that I've found my voice and a way to express my emotions and really "fly".  It's through my artwork.  Even when I'm not sure exactly what I'm feeling or trying to say, it magically appears in a painting.  That is how this was painting was born.  It's titled "Fly Free".  I found my voice and my wings through art.  And the cool thing is, I think people are listening.

  

This piece measures approximately 12 X 27.  It is finished with an archival matte coat, but it still has a tiny bit of gloss to the finish.  It is sold, but I will accept commissions for a similar piece.

 

You can read more and see how this piece was created by going to:

http://donnamartinfineart.blogspot.com/2014/05/flying-free-and-finding-my-voice.html

 

If you have comments or questions, please contact me at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com. 

 

 

 

Original Mixed Media Floral Painting, "Shine On", by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Shine On

I've been doing alot of reflection and contemplating these days.  I've been trying to be more conscious, taking more time to really be "in the moment". Cherishing and enjoying those rare, happy, blissful moments.  It seems that even when we are doing something we enjoy or we are with people we love, our minds are going in a million directions and we are still worried - about what happens next, what happens tomorrow, what happens next Tuesday.

Yesterday I was reflecting on those happy moments when I created this little painting.  Those moments of pure joy that I will always treasure.  I thought about my little Granddaughters...their giggles and their laughter at the silly things I say to them.  It causes me to be present in the moment and I get caught up in their laughter.  Nothing else in the world matters in that moment.

This is for all of you sisters, wives, daughters, and mothers who make a difference in the world.  I hope you take the time to be fully happy in the moment and Shine On!

8 X 8 X 1.5 Mixed Media on Birch Cradle Board.  The petals are textured and the little words on it read, "It is the sisters, wives and mothers, you know, who keep the world sweet and beautiful".  The green "leaves" are thin pieces of colored glass.  It will be finished with an epoxy resin coat, so there is no need for framing!  It is available for purchase. 

For more information, comments, or to purchase, please contact me at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

To view more of my work:

http://donnamartinfineart.com/

Mixed Media Painting, "Fearless", by International Mixed Media Artist Donna L. Martin

Fearless

 

 

If you’re like most people, you start out the year with the best intentions and make resolutions for the New Year.  It seems like by February, we feel like we have already slipped and by March or April, our best laid plans are past tense. Since our words give a voice to our soul, I decided that I would opt for a "word" this year instead of a resolution. I decided I would put my "word" into a piece of art, so "FEARLESS" was born.  It is meant to symbolize my heart with wings - flying fearlessly into the next great adventure!  What would your one "word" be?

This original mixed media painting is 10X10X1 and is done on a cradle board. It is completed with a epoxy resin finish, eliminating the need for framing.

The price is $130/free shipping within the United States.

If you have comments or wish to purchase, please contact me at: saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

 To purchase prints, please go to: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-donna-martin.html

To view more of my work: http://donnamartinfineart.com/

http://donnamartinfineart.blogspot.com/

Original Mixed Media Abstract Painting, “Take Heart through the Fire ", by International Mixed Media Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Take Heart Through the Fire"

 

I thought it would be fun to take you through the creation of this piece, from the very beginning to the finished version!

 

 

This is how it started out - a big, white, intimidating canvas.  I added some texture with a cool stencil that I have and some molding paste.  I then started filling in some color with alcohol ink around the divets in the stencil.

 

 

I started adding more color with alcohol inks.  I also had some really cool textured cardboard that I painted with metallic bronze paint and then "rusted" with a rusting solution.  Thanks to Carol Nelson again for teaching me that trick! 

 

 

I also picked up some paper from the shooting range (that is what is sitting on top and bottom of the stenciled part).  It had all these cool holes in it.  Once again, I painted it bronze and then rusted it.  I started attaching in randomly to the piece.

 

 

 

For this middle portion, I painted it with metallic copper paint and then used a solution to patina the paint.  It looks like some kind of regular ol' green paint, but was really quite a process! 

 

 

So after sitting with it for a while, this piece just needed something else, but I couldn't figure out what.  Then lo and behold, I was walking on a local trail and looked down and saw this very cool piece of metal sitting in the dirt alongside the trail.  Seems I've become quite the scavenger!  It was just what I needed to finish this.

 

 

 

Ta Da!!!  All done and ready to go out the door!  It is finished with a beautiful epoxy resin finish (except for the rusted "heart" that I found on the trail), so there is no need for framing.

 

This piece measures 24 X 18 X 1.5, and is available for purchase.

 

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


http://donnamartinfineart.com/

This piece can also be seen at:

CoArt Gallery

846 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, Co 80204
P: (303)573-5503

Original Mixed Media Poppy Painting, "Glow", by International Mixed Media Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Glow"

This is my latest creation, just completed yesterday.  Orange and yellow poppies set against a heavily textured background of gray, yellow, black, and white.  Thank you to Carol Nelson for teaching me how to do mixed media.  Without her, I'm not sure I would have continued painting!

This piece measures 18 X 24 X 1.5, comes ready to hang and is available for purchase.

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

http://donnamartinfineart.blogspot.com/

http://donnamartinfineart.com/

My work can also be seen at:

CoArt Gallery

846 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, Co 80204
P: (303)573-5503

Original Mixed Media Painting, "Dance", by International Mixed Media Artist, Donna L. Martin

Dance

 

 

 

This is an original mixed media piece that I recently finished for a friend who just found out that she has cancer.  It is done in rich, beautiful hues of blues, yellows, gold, and white.  It is heavily textured, but graceful and soft at the same time. 

 

 

 

The original is unavailable, but I have a similar painting in the same size and colors.  Prints in various sizes are also available at:

 

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-donna-martin.html

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

http://donnamartinfineart.blogspot.com/

http://donnamartinfineart.com/

My work can also be seen at:

CoArt Gallery

846 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, Co 80204
P: (303)573-5503