"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 commissions are welcome.  Feel free to contact me at saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.

www.donnamartinfineart.com

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

"Sweet Dreams"

This painting is one of my favorites.  Mom and her baby are sleeping among the trees.  It has many layers and was done with paint and acrylic inks.  It was an intuitive painting inspired by the painting styles of Tracy Verdugo and Juliette Crane.  

It is on a deep gallery wrapped canvas and measures 24 X 24.  This painting is sold, but please feel free to send me an email with any questions, or comments. I really love hearing from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

"Forgotten Girl", by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Forgotten Girl

Dear Forgotten Girl,

I see you.  I've always seen you.  

I saw the many times you were overlooked and felt forgotten.  I was there when you were always the last picked for the team.  I saw the hurt in your eyes when friends would pass you by to hang out with the other "cool kids".  You never fit it, because of your last name, because the color of your skin wasn't the same as the others in your class, because you were the quiet one.  You were restless and longing for more...even at a young age. You tried your hardest to make friends, but so often, it didn't happen.  You were different, not like the others.

I witnessed your best friend's dad abusing you at the age of 7.  I felt your confusion and your pain, not quite sure of what just happened.  You were too scared to tell your parents.  How would you even tell them something you didn't understand yourself?  Would they believe you anyway...you were just a kid.  

I saw the humiliation and brokenness you felt when your own father kicked you to the ground and called you "stupid" in front of your whole family. My heart broke for you when not one came over to help you up or rushed to your side. They didn't "interfere" in those days.

I was there when you were pregnant at 16, trying to hide it from your parents and you felt so alone.  I cried with you when a few months later, you miscarried your precious baby girl.  You grew up way too fast and knew a loss most your age couldn't even fathom.

I still see you.  Most of the time, you still feel like you don't "fit in".  You are still "the quiet one".  Sometimes I see your longing to conform to the world, but you aren't of this world.  And it's okay.

Because of all of these things, it gave you a heart for the broken, for the people that feel alone, for the forgotten.  Because of your stories, you have the gift of compassion and empathy.  I see the passion, the joy, the gratitude you have for the life you are living right now, in this moment, because you know it hasn't always been this way.  I see the dreams you work tirelessly for and are beginning to realize, because you have walked through the fire and you have never given up.  

Forgotten girl, I see you and although you don't see it, you are perfect in all of your many imperfections.  

This was a very personal and intense painting for me.  It was very different for me and I painted her, reflecting all of my feelings and emotions.  I'm sure some of you feel the same way as forgotten girl. Please don't think you are forgotten. You are loved and everything you are going through will shape you into the person you were meant to be.  Keep dreaming and never ever give up.

This piece is was done with charcoal, gesso, pencil, and acrylic.  It measures 16 X 16 X 1.5.  It will be available in an auction I am participating in in late September, early October.

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

www.donnamartinfineart.com

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

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

“Infinity”, Original Mixed Media Painting/Encaustic by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Infinity

In the midst of winter, I start dreaming about spring.  It's the time for renewal, new starts, new colors, new choices.  I always look forward to the flowers blooming and the warm sunshine blowing around in the spring winds.  

This piece is a reflection of my feelings about spring and the hummingbirds that come to visit us every year.  It truly is a mixed media piece...it has so many layers and mediums.  For the background, I used a vintage hankie that had a flower stitched into it.  I then added gesso and plaster.  I used an image transfer for the hummingbird and formed the flowers in watercolor, graphite, and intense pencils.  I added some watered-down paint in the background to give it a vintage-feel.  Finally, I finished it off with a layer of encaustic wax, which gave it a dream-like quality.

This little piece will be available soon in an upcoming auction on Facebook.  The link for the auction is:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulsistersunited

I would love to hear from you!  You can send me an email at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

www.donnamartinfineart.com
     

"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:  

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

www.donnamartinfineart.com

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

"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.

www.donnamartinfineart

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

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"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

“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

"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/

“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/

"Hope on the Horizon", Original Mixed Media/Encaustic Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Hope on the Horizon"

This is a little encaustic piece of work, fresh of the easel.  I started out with paint, paper, and plaster.  I added more layers of wax and more paper.  I managed to achieve an accident, which it turns out is one of my favorite parts of this painting.  Below, you can see how the paper lifted up from the wax.  How cool is that?!?

These are an angled view of the paper that I added.

 

This is a view from the front - so you can see how the paper lifted.

I am loving the process of working with wax.  The layers can be as simple or complex as you would like.  It's totally like an adventure and there are many surprises, twists, and turns. Kind of like the journey we ourselves are on every single day.  The tree symbolizes hope and new beginnings and the leaves, made out of plaster, symbolizes new growth.  We also have hope, new beginnings, and the chance for growth.  We just have to keep pushing on. We have to be vulnerable and keep open hearts.

This will be available for an online auction that I am participating in at the end of May.  Stay tuned for details!  In the meantime, I would love to hear from you.

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

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

“Chicks Rule”, Original Mixed Media/Encaustic Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Chicks Rule"

This is a little encaustic piece that I just finished.  It has lots of layers and subtle colors.  The "nest" just appeared...I really didn't plan that at all, but I love those kinds of surprises.  Of course when the nest appeared, I had to add a bird.  I also added part of an old deed dating back to the early 1900's.  You can see part of it by her left arm and shoulder.

Here you can get a little bit of a closer view.  The flowers were made of plaster.  I also used some stamps to embellish the piece.  Some of the stamping is more visible and some not so much.

I am in love with the process of using wax (encaustic).  You can put so many rich layers and symbolism in a piece.  And above all, it's kind of a mystery as to what you will end up with!

This little piece is reserved for an online auction that will be happening in May.  I welcome your comments and would love to hear from you!

donnamartinfineart.com

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

https://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

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“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/

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

"Sweet Dreams"

This painting is fresh off the easel!  Mom and her baby are sleeping among the trees.  It has many layers and was done with paint and acrylic inks.  It was an intuitive painting inspired by the painting styles of Tracy Verdugo and Juliette Crane.  

It is on a deep gallery wrapped canvas and measures 24 X 24.  This painting is available.  Please feel free to send me an email with any questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing.  I really love to hear from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

"It’s a Beautiful Day", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"It's a Beautiful Day"

This tree and little bird emerged as I was attempting to do some "intuitive" painting.  I took a class a few months ago from the fabulous artist, Tracy Verdugo, to learn how to do this style and technique of painting.  Boy, has is been challenging for me!  I truly, truly love it though ~ you never know where you are going when you start out or where you will finish.  Below are some pictures of the evolution of this piece.

To start out, I divided the canvas up into squares and chose some colors I wanted to use.  Some squares were dark, some lighter.  The images and marks I made are symbolic to me.  I had just returned from a trip to the ocean and had never seen water that beautiful.  It totally inspired me!

In this step, I added acrylic inks over the entire piece.  Cool colors on one side, warmer colors on the opposite side.  You can see how some of the marks still show through.

This is the tricky and most challenging part for me.  I am trying to see what forms or what images may appear on the canvas.  I turned it sideways and upside down to see if I could spot something.  Low and behold, a faint image of the wings appeared and it seemed to be the perfect shape for a bird.

In this next step, I painted out some of the parts of the painting that weren't necessary to the composition, but still left a hint of the layers underneath.  I just love this!

Low and behold, this is the completed piece.

This piece is fresh off the easel.  It has vibrant, beautiful hues of turquoise, blues, and greens with pinches of orange, pink, yellow, and white.  It measures 24 X 24 on a gallery wrapped canvas.  It is available for purchase.  

If you have questions, comments, or are interested in purchasing, please feel free to contact me at saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.  You can also browse my website at donnamartinfineart.com and follow me on Facebook.

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

"Butterflies Are Free"

This piece is a result of an online workshop called "Animalitos" by artist, Tracy Verdugo.  These types of paintings are really a challenge for me.  Usually I have an idea of where I'm going when I start a painting, but these are really intuitive paintings.  It starts out with bright colors of inks and paints, using symbols and marks that have meaning.  You can see below how this started out.  

Then the idea is to pick out some shapes or forms in the piece....turn it upside down, sideways, etc. to "see" what might be there.  When I was making my marks and symbols, I used a wing stencil.  I began to think that it might make for a pretty butterfly wing.  I honestly couldn't see anything else, which is a major challenge for me in doing this type of work!

So I began blocking out the form of the butterfly.  As soon as I started that, I knew it needed some kind of flower to land on, so I added more beautiful inks in orange and red.  When that dried, I started blocking out some shapes on the wings and flower with india ink and a tiny, tiny brush.  Below is a close up of the finished piece.

The lesson I keep learning in doing these types of paintings is to enjoy the process without worrying about the outcome.  Sort of goes with my intention of living in the moment and enjoying the adventure.  It's crazy what happens when you have no expectations and just let it go!

I am contemplating pouring resin over it so the colors pop even more!  I named the piece "Butterflies Are Free", but I'm not committed to that yet, since this is fresh off the easel.  I may need to think about it a little more, but couldn't wait to share the process with you!  

This little piece is done on an 8X8 gallery wrapped canvas. It is available.  Please contact me with question, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing.  I always love to hear from you!

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

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