Showing posts with label Contemporary Mixed Media Painting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemporary Mixed Media Painting. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

In the Silence, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

In the Silence


In the Silence began with a stark, white, canvas.  As I began thinking about this painting and what I wanted to "say" with it, I added vintage text and vintage musical notes.  I added glazes and layers of paint so that just a portion of the text shows through.  I added more layers of ink with stencils and then wiped it away.  I used inks to create the many layers and branches of the trees, as well as the moody atmosphere in this piece.

As I was creating, I thought about how we all start out as a "blank canvas".  We begin to add rich layers to our lives, with words, with music, with emotions.  Sometimes, there are things we can't say and feelings we can't express.  These words, feelings, emotions begin to tell our stories.  And sometimes, we cover up those layers, those feelings, those words, much like I covered up part of this canvas with paint.  We stay silent.  We have no words to express how we feel.  Even so, we are rooted and we grow.  Our branches seek the light through the darkness.  Through experiences in our lives, we branch out, we grow, we learn., We add layers of color, richness, and texture to our lives.  Sometimes, the messiness turns into unexpected beauty, much like this painting did.

This painting is the first in a new series I am working on.  This painting was created on an 18 X 24 gallery wrapped canvas.  It is sold, but I'm open to commissions.

Please send me an email if you have any questions or comments...I would love to hear from you!




Tuesday, May 15, 2018

"Today I Choose Joy", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Today I Choose Joy


This little painting is the latest in a series I'm working on.  I was thinking about how amazing it is that we have the opportunity to actually choose our attitudes, every day, and we get to choose how to deal with our individual situations.  This painting symbolizes how I was feeling on this particular day and how I decided to "choose joy".  I'm hoping it brings the viewer some joy when looking at it!

This painting was created with many different layers of hand-painted papers, acrylic paints, and acrylic inks.  This painting is sold, but commissions are available.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments...I would love to hear from you.  





Monday, January 29, 2018

In the Silence, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

In the Silence


In the Silence began with a stark, white, canvas.  As I began thinking about this painting and what I wanted to "say" with it, I added vintage text and vintage musical notes.  I added glazes and layers of paint so that just a portion of the text shows through.  I added more layers of ink with stencils and then wiped it away.  I used inks to create the many layers and branches of the trees, as well as the moody atmosphere in this piece.

As I was creating, I thought about how we all start out as a "blank canvas".  We begin to add rich layers to our lives, with words, with music, with emotions.  Sometimes, there are things we can't say and feelings we can't express.  These words, feelings, emotions begin to tell our stories.  And sometimes, we cover up those layers, those feelings, those words, much like I covered up part of this canvas with paint.  We stay silent.  We have no words to express how we feel.  Even so, we are rooted and we grow.  Our branches seek the light through the darkness.  Through experiences in our lives, we branch out, we grow, we learn., We add layers of color, richness, and texture to our lives.  Sometimes, the messiness turns into unexpected beauty, much like this painting did.

This painting is the first in a new series I am working on.  This painting was created on an 18 X 24 gallery wrapped canvas.  It is available for purchase.

Please send me an email if you have any questions or comments...I would love to hear from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com



Friday, February 3, 2017

"Magic in the Mess", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Magic in the Mess"


As with everyone, there always seems to be some mess, some drama going on in life.  This painting evolved through the messes.  It had several "ugly duckling" stages.  I almost wanted to trash it and start all over again - several times.  Just when I thought it was not salvageable, this butterfly started making it's way into the piece.  Almost as if coming out of its cocoon.  It ended up being one of my favorite paintings, one of my favorite "stories". 

It was created with several layers of paint, inks, painted papers, and modeling paste. 

This piece is available.  I'd love to hear from you if you have any comments or questions!  My email is:  



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

Thursday, January 19, 2017

"Cherish This Life", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Cherish This Life"




We recently lost someone very special to us.  My Father-in-Law, Mikey, was Italian, to the core.  He grew up in North Denver, in what was known as little Italy.  He worked at an Italian Bakery for much of his life and he fought in WWII, in Normandy.  He knew the Italian Mob Bosses in Denver, worked hard to raise his family, and he loved to gamble in Vegas.  He was pretty good at it too. He also loved to go dancing.  He went dancing almost every Saturday night up until about 4 months ago.  

I know if we could talk to him again, he would tell us to live this life and appreciate it, because it is short.  As I've said before, this life is just a whisper of time.  So this is for you, Mikey, for a life well-lived and well-loved...we will cherish you and the life you lived forever.

This piece was created as a reminder to "Cherish This Life".  It was done with many layers of paint, inks, and painted paper.  The heart in the middle was cut from a vintage ceiling tile.  When the light catches it, you can see the hints of iridescent gold paint sprinkled throughout the painting.  The words, "Cherish This Life" are embedded into the painting.  It is framed in a gold and black floater frame.









Tuesday, November 22, 2016

"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

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

“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














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:
 
 

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:
 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

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

"She Danced"
  
 
 
This is my latest mixed media piece.  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 available.  Please feel free to email me with questions or comments.

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com













Thursday, July 17, 2014

"Troyce's Heart", original mixed media painting by Colorado artist, Donna L. Martin

Troyce's Heart
 
 
 
 



 

This is an original mixed media piece that was specially created for a little baby boy that will be undergoing heart surgery next month.  He has been through such a rough time already, but he has a strong family and a contagious smile! 

His Grandmother wanted me to create something special for his Mom and Dad as they travel this journey.  I was honored when she asked me to do this piece.  Through the years I've always felt close to her, even with all the twists and turns our lives have taken.  She and her family hold a special place in my heart.

I have no idea where the inspiration for this piece came from.  Even the colors are nothing like what I had originally planned.  Doug Collins, from Redeemwood provided the small wooden pallet that the heart was constructed on.  It seemed like the perfect special touch for this piece.  There are quite a few layers of paper, paint, molding paste, and burlap.  The round knob in the middle of the heart was made by a friend of mine, Wrenn Boulton, who does amazing fused glass pieces.  To me it symbolized fusion of the heart into one complete, beautiful creation...kind of like Troyce's heart. 

This little piece will soon be on it's way to Texas.  I hope it will hold special meaning for Troyce's Mom, Dad, and Grandmother.  Please pray for this family and Troyce's upcoming surgery.

I would love to hear your feedback, so please email me with any comments or if you are interested in a commissoned piece!
 
 
 
Follow me on Facebook!  Donna L. Martin Fine Art

Thursday, June 19, 2014

“Fly” Butterfly Painting by Colorado Mixed Media Artist, Donna L. Martin

Fly
 
 
Flying away and wings seem to be my "thing" lately....hmmm....wonder what that means!
 
 
This is my latest finished mixed media piece.  I started it during a recent workshop that I gave in which I wanted people to create a piece based on one "word".  If you had to think of your mantra for the year, day, moment, what would that word be and what would that mean to you? 
 
This was created with paint, stencils, molding paste, and paper.  The middle piece is a glass drawer pull.  The word "Fly" resides in the upper right-hand corner.  It measures 12X12X1.5 and will be finished with a resin coating, so there is no need for framing!
 
If you are interested in purchasing or have any comments, please feel free to email me at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.