Tuesday, December 30, 2014

"Trio of Aspen", original mixed media triptych by Colorado artist, Donna L. Martin

Trio of Aspen
 

Detail
 




Closeups of leaf detail
 

 
This triptych was a commission.  I had to really think about these pieces.  The husband prefers traditional pieces of art and his wife likes more contemporary artwork.  I was tying to figure out how to "marry" the two styles.  It took so much time to complete!  These were done on 12 X 36, 2" deep cradle board.  The pieces are comprised of molding paste, crackle paste, paper, paint, burlap, tulle, and bronze nail heads.
 
For questions or comments, please feel free to email me at:
 
 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

"Moonlit Winter Aspens", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Moonlit Winter Aspens
 
 






This is a little mixed media piece I did depicting aspen trees on a snowy winter night.  This piece sat around for about 10 months before I finally decided what to do with the background!  It was done on MDF board with molding paste and crackle paste for texture.  It was completed with acrylic paint.  The original is sold, but commissions are welcome.

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

www.donnamartinfineart.com

Thursday, November 13, 2014

“Enjoy the Journey”, by Colorado Mixed Media Artist Donna L. Martin

"Enjoy The Journey"
 
 
This is the newest piece, fresh off the easel.  I just lost my Aunt, who fought a courageous battle against cancer.  The painting that I had planned when I started this piece "disappeared" - so much for best laid plans.  This painting just poured out on to the board and practically painted itself.  My Aunt was a beautiful soul and I believe she "enjoyed every step of the journey".  She will be missed every day.
 


 
This painting is 10 X 10 X 1.5.  It is made with vibrant colors of paint, antique maps, and is heavily textured.  It is currently available.  Please feel free to email me with questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing.
 
 
 
See more of my work at:  donnamartinfineart.com
 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

“She Decided to be Brave”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

She Decided to be Brave


   

This brave girl was finished today.  It was a result of being brave and letting some walls down, letting people have a "glimpse".




She was made with paint, colored pencils, twine, and a glass heart.
 

You can read more about the story behind her on my blog, http://donnamartinfineart.blogspot.com/2014/10/she-decided-to-be-brave.html 
 
She is available. She measures 8 X 8 X 1.5 and she comes ready to hang. If you have questions, comments, or are interested in purchasing, please feel free to send me an email at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

“Song of Hope”, Original Mixed Media Art by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Song of Hope"
 



Hope is the thing with feathers 
That perches in the soul, 
And sings the tune without the words, 
And never stops at all, 
  
And sweetest in the gale is heard;         
And sore must be the storm 
That could abash the little bird 
That kept so many warm.

     –from "Hope is the Thing with Feathers
" by Emily Dickinson
 
I love this little poem from Emily Dickinson.  It reminds me to listen to that still, small voice in my soul that tells me to never give up.  Sometimes we just have to be still and listen for it.
 
This is a little mixed media bird that I created with molding paste, painted paper, stencils, and tree bark.  The original is sold, but commissions are welcome. 
 
Please feel free to email me with questions or comments:
 
You can view more of my work at:
 

Monday, September 22, 2014

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

"Humble Beginnings"
 
 
This piece was created because of my Brother.  He's followed me along on this "journey" and has seen and commented on many of my pieces.  He told me that I should paint "BIG".  This painting is a result of that effort!  It seemed like it took me forever.  I stressed over it, then enjoyed it, then questioned everything about it.  This is the end result. 
 
I thought about this painting as a "beginning" of sorts.  By that I thought about symbolizing a young couple starting their own family.  In another new beginning of sorts, It could  symbolize a new beginning as an "empty nester".  Both of those scenarios are big, huge, sometimes scary, unknown adventures.  Both are humbling, full of learning and experiencing a new season in life.  For a new family, it's full of anticipation and expectation.  For a family with children leaving home, it could be grieving and figuring out how to parent in a different way.  It's hard to watch your babies leave the nest and make a new life on their own.  The couple expecting a new baby has to learn how to remain a couple when times are hard and their focus is no longer solely on each other.  The couple letting go of grown children have to relearn how to be a couple, yet still find their own individual paths.  Needless to say, it's complicated.

 
Close up of Leaves and Texture Detail

 
Close up of Nest

 
The nest is made from Pine Needles and a stencil.  It was not easy gluing all of these tiny little needles on to the canvas, but I sure do like how it turned out. 


 
Detail of the Aspen Trees



 


Even though life is complicated and there are different seasons, we can always look forward to new beginnings.  I've learned that even when things come to an end, it signifies the beginning of something else.  We just have to be open to whatever is next. Life is always an adventure, so let's learn to enjoy the journey and see where it takes us!

This painting was created with painted papers, stencils, pine needles, vintage sheet music, and of course, layers and layers of paint!  It measures 36X36 and is on gallery wrapped canvas.  It is finished with a resin coating, which makes the colors "pop" and eliminates the need for framing.  This piece comes ready to hang.

For comments, questions, or if you are interested in purchasing, please email me at:
saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.

www.donnamartinfineart.com

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

Thursday, September 18, 2014

“Fly”, Original Mixed Media Artwork by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

 "Fly"
 
 



 
 
"Flying" and being brave seems to be my "theme" for the year.  This whole new adventure, painting in mixed media, has been born out of a tragedy.  It has evolved out of trying to heal and explore what works for me in the healing process. 
 
In this new journey, I have been trying to push myself and my art.  I've been finding my voice, for the first time, through my art and what it says.  I seem to be connecting to people through my art...and no words seem to be necessary.  All of the emotions in my heart and soul spill out on to the canvas.  
 
This piece has several layers in it.  I used stencils at the very beginning and then began layering torn and painted pieces of paper over the stenciled areas.  I used a stencil and molding paste to add more texture.  I then added a photo transfer of the butterfly and painted over her body and wings.  In this piece I wanted to convey the feeling that the butterfly is flying towards the light, which is how I was feeling.  I also added a glass door pull in the middle of the piece - just because I loved it and it felt like the piece needed it.
 
I have always been extremely shy and I'm not very good with words, so this is an amazing way for me to be able to say what I'm not able to.  It is scary, "putting it out there" for people to see.  I wonder if people will get it, or relate to it, or judge it.  But, this is the year to be brave and just do it.  So, I will continue in this journey.  I will try to be "Fearless" and "Fly".
 
"Fly"
 
12 X 12 X 1.5  Mixed Media on Cradle Board.  It is heavily textured with layers and layers of paint, paper, and molding paste.  The middle of the piece is embellished with a glass door pull.  It is finished with a Resin Coating ~ No need to frame, unless you would like to do so.
 
$140
 
Feel free to contact me at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.  I would love to hear from you!
 
 
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