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

"Transformation"

Finished!

Beginning

First Stages

 This painting came about from a workshop that I took from an amazing artist, Tracy Verdugo.  It was quite a process and to tell the truth, it sat at home for almost a month after the workshop, I finally grabbed enough courage to finish it on my own.  I struggled and struggled and it went through many, many layers. When I finally stopped concentrating on the outcome and started enjoying the process, Ta Da...it was done!

This piece measures 30 X 30, standard depth.  Please feel free to email me with questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing.

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

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

  

 Fly Free

I shared this last year, but thought it would be worth sharing again.  I have always been one of those people who is naturally shy.  It may have a little to do with the way we were raised, we were always told that children "are to be seen and not heard".  Growing up in that culture, I've always had trouble expressing what I'm feeling or saying what I wanted to say.  Why would I have anything worth saying?  I always felt that when I finally was able to say something, was anyone really listening? 

To add to this, I grew up feeling like I really didn't fit in anywhere, that I was usually the odd one out.  I was the one who got picked last for the team, didn't stand up for myself...I didn't know how, didn't have "permission".  I couldn't really find my place, or my voice. 

I attended Columbine High School for one semester before we moved to a wonderful little small Texas town.  When I first got there, the kids in my class thought I was "stuck up", because I didn't talk much.  I didn't know I could, I didn't know I had anything to say.  I was overwhelmed and I was a little sad at the beginning. 

I didn't play sports - I am the world's biggest clutz - and I certainly wasn't cheerleader material, although I was friends with our cheerleaders.  During our sophomore year, by some small miracle, our little school got an art program and an art teacher.  I thought, maybe this is "IT", something I can do. And I was one of the first people to sign up for that class.  My teacher really guided me and really believed in me.  She even took a couple of pieces of my work to Ft. Worth for a student show and exhibition...on her own time.  I couldn't believe it, it seemed she "got me" and I felt like I was flying. 

I still 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.

Below is a little bit on the process of creating this piece.

Beginning Stages

I added white paint to tone down the bright pink.  I also stenciled some words on to the piece and started adding ripped up pieces of paper.  I added more white to tone it down a bit more.

   

It's finally beginning to take shape!  I added the wings with molding paste and a stencil.  I painted dark, dark brown between the grooves in the wings and added some white and irridescent pearl paint to the wings - and the tiniest bit of pink, of course!  I also stenciled the little pattern coming off of the wings with some molding paste.

Hmmm...this piece still needed something.  I think I mentioned before that I've become quite a scavenger since discovering mixed media.  I found these old chippy paint "posts" at a little antique store here in town.  I white washed them with some white and turquoise paint and glued them together with industrial strength glue. Also glued on the embellishment at the top.  Then they were attached to the two pieces of cradle board that make up the wings.

  

I added an old antique door knob that I found at the same little shop and an antique skeleton key to hang from the knob with some old wire.  The words "Fly" "Free" are framed with two old, small antique frames that came from long- gone post office boxes.  I think it's finally finished! 

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 now has a home in New York.  If you have comments or are interested in commissioning a similar piece, please contact me at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.  Thanks for "listening"!

  

 Fly Free

I shared this last year, but thought it would be worth sharing again.  I have always been one of those people who is naturally shy.  It may have a little to do with the way we were raised, we were always told that children "are to be seen and not heard".  Growing up in that culture, I've always had trouble expressing what I'm feeling or saying what I wanted to say.  Why would I have anything worth saying?  I always felt that when I finally was able to say something, was anyone really listening? 

To add to this, I grew up feeling like I really didn't fit in anywhere, that I was usually the odd one out.  I was the one who got picked last for the team, didn't stand up for myself...I didn't know how, didn't have "permission".  I couldn't really find my place, or my voice. 

I attended Columbine High School for one semester before we moved to a wonderful little small Texas town.  When I first got there, the kids in my class thought I was "stuck up", because I didn't talk much.  I didn't know I could, I didn't know I had anything to say.  I was overwhelmed and I was a little sad at the beginning. 

I didn't play sports - I am the world's biggest clutz - and I certainly wasn't cheerleader material, although I was friends with our cheerleaders.  During our sophomore year, by some small miracle, our little school got an art program and an art teacher.  I thought, maybe this is "IT", something I can do. And I was one of the first people to sign up for that class.  My teacher really guided me and really believed in me.  She even took a couple of pieces of my work to Ft. Worth for a student show and exhibition...on her own time.  I couldn't believe it, it seemed she "got me" and I felt like I was flying. 

I still 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.

Below is a little bit on the process of creating this piece.

Beginning Stages

I added white paint to tone down the bright pink.  I also stenciled some words on to the piece and started adding ripped up pieces of paper.  I added more white to tone it down a bit more.

   

It's finally beginning to take shape!  I added the wings with molding paste and a stencil.  I painted dark, dark brown between the grooves in the wings and added some white and irridescent pearl paint to the wings - and the tiniest bit of pink, of course!  I also stenciled the little pattern coming off of the wings with some molding paste.

Hmmm...this piece still needed something.  I think I mentioned before that I've become quite a scavenger since discovering mixed media.  I found these old chippy paint "posts" at a little antique store here in town.  I white washed them with some white and turquoise paint and glued them together with industrial strength glue. Also glued on the embellishment at the top.  Then they were attached to the two pieces of cradle board that make up the wings.

  

I added an old antique door knob that I found at the same little shop and an antique skeleton key to hang from the knob with some old wire.  The words "Fly" "Free" are framed with two old, small antique frames that came from long- gone post office boxes.  I think it's finally finished! 

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.  This piece now has a home in New York.  If you have comments or are interested in commissioning a similar piece, please contact me at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.  Thanks for "listening"!

donnamartinfineart.com

“Dragonfly Dream”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Dragonfly Dream

I must be dreaming of spring...I seem to be gravitating to these softer, lighter colors and images.  This little dragonfly was created using paint, inks, painted paper, and stencils. You can see how it started out (below) and where it ended up.  It was a transformation, for sure.

This little piece has not been spoken for yet.  It measures 9 X 11.  If you have comments or are interested, please send me an email, I would love to hear from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

“Singing of Spring”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Singing of Spring"

In honor of spring, I decided to post this little piece.  As you can see, it is heavily textured with molding paste, hand-painted papers, and pieces of tyvek. The colors are vibrant and sing with the theme of spring!

This little one is sold, but I would love to create something just for you!  Feel free to contact me at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

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

"Forever"

This is a little mixed media piece, 6 X 6, that I created around Valentine's Day.  I used vintage sheet music from Romeo and Juliet, painted paper, wood, and paint.  I applied resin to the finished piece and it turned out beautiful!

This piece is sold, but send me an email if you'd like me to create something special for you or someone you love.  Comments are always welcome!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

www.donnamartinfineart.com

“The Road Less Traveled”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"The Road Less Traveled"

The finished piece!

I've been wanting to create an elephant in mixed media for quite a while.  I have been admiring Tracy Verdugo's work and I love the elephants that she creates, so that was the inspiration for this piece.  I am actually fortunate enough to be attending one of her workshops in only 7 more days!  I am beyond excited and cannot wait!

This is how it started.  I gessoed a piece of 20 X 20 cradle board.  Then I added texture with molding paste and stencils.  I also added some molding paste to the elephant's trunk and head.  I had some textured paper that I love and decided to add some of that to her ears.  I then gessoed over the molding paste and the paper on her ears.

Here you can see I started adding some paint.  I used Golden's Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold and Burnt Orange.  I'm all about the Turquoise lately, so I threw that in too.

Now for the scary part...starting on the elephant.  I had her sketched out and I started adding some paint.  I mixed Paynes Gray, White, and Anthraquinone Blue, and a little of the Turquoise to get a blue-gray color.  I wanted her to tie in with my background.  It needed more darks, so I added some Van Dyke Brown.

Here I started adding some of the Van Dyke Brown to the textured area in the middle.  I didn't want it to be one solid brown color, so I added some water to fade out some of the brown tones in the middle of the texture.

This part of the piece had me stumped for days and days.  I could not figure out what color to do the bottom of this piece.  It had such nice, nice texture from using the stencil and I didn't want to mess it up.  Finally, I gave in and told myself "who cares if I mess it up, I'm just doing what I like".  So, there again, I used Turquoise and smudged in some of the Anthraquinone Blue.

I had some gorgeous, gorgeous paper that tied into the colors behind my little elephant.  I tore out a border and added it directly under the brown textured border for a pop of color and to tie in with my background.

I also felt like the bottom of this needed to be distressed and not so "in your face" with the blues.  I took some alcohol ink and some of the Van Dyke brown and punched it in under the paper border.  Then I hit it with a spray bottle of water to make it run into the blue.  Fun!!  

So just when I think I'm done, done, my husband, who is an Engineer by the way, takes a look at her.  He points out that her head is too much of a globe shape and that her tusk was going in the wrong direction.  As much as I hate to admit it, he was totally right.  Had to make some slight changes, but here she is.  She is all finished and I LOVE HER!  The only thing left to do is finish her off with resin.

I titled this piece "The Road Less Traveled" because that's how I want to live my life.  I never want to be afraid to take risks and take chances...sort of what I did with this piece.  It can be scary for sure, but let go and see where it takes you. You may totally surprise yourself!

This piece is still available...fresh off the easel.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or if you are interested in giving her a home!  I would love to hear from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

www.donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart

"Truly, Madly, Deeply... Love", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Truly, Madly, Deeply...Love"

For some reason, I've been on this kick to create "Heart" work!  Maybe it's because I have a son who was born on Valentine's Day and he's been on my mind lately, which is a good thing.  So, this is the latest big endeavor.  I found this frame with the tin attached, at a summer market. It appears to be an old ceiling tile that they stapled to the inside of the frame.  It was the ideal inspiration, as I love combining old things and new artwork.  I knew this would be perfect for what I was thinking about creating with the hearts.  I created a piece of art (heart) for each individual tile.  They are respectively titled "truly", "madly", "deeply", and "love".  The pieces were constructed on 1.5" deep cradle board and attached to the tile.  They are coated with a glossy resin, which makes the colors "pop".  On the bottom of each piece, I added an antique chandelier crystal...well, because I just love some bling and it seemed like that was just what this piece needed.

This piece is available.  In total, the piece measures 29 X 29.  I tried to "shore up" the old frame so that it wasn't so rickety and now it hangs nicely.  It is truly a one-of-a-kind, unique piece of art.

For questions or comments, or if you are interested in purchasing, please send me an email at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com