Donna L. Martin Fine Art

Love Rises 6” X 6” Original Art Mixed Media on Cradle Board What’s the secret? Love rises. Love conquers all. “Do not fall in love Darling. Rise in Love.” ~ The Dreamer This piece has many layers of papers, inks, and paint. It has multiple layers of texture, giving it depth and interest.  This piece is sold, but commissions are welcome!  Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions....I'd love to hear from you! https://dmartinfineart.com/ https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart https://www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart  

Moon Kissed This is one of my latest in my series of "moonlight trees".  It has lots of dimension and layers, adding to the interest and mystery of this piece. This piece is available.  Feel free to contact me via email at:  www.saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com . You can also follow me on my website , instagram , and FB .  Feel free to reach out...I'd love to hear from you!

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.  ...

Beautifully Broken In our journeys, there are usually broken pieces.  People we’ve loved and lost, friends who have been in our lives for a season, families torn apart.  These are our stories.  These are the layers of our lives.  These broken pieces make us who we are, who we become.  What we do with those broken pieces is up to us.  We have the choice to create new stories, to try again.  Our wings may be tattered and worn, but they are ours and they can still fly.  We are all beautifully broken.  The doorknob in this piece represents old doors closing and new ones opening.  The background was created using pieces of a vintage world atlas, representing the layers of our lives and our journeys.  The wings were bathed in resin to finish this piece, so there is no need for framing. This piece will be available in an online Facebook Event beginning Sunday and running through Monday.  These events are fun a...

"Surrender" This is an original mixed media painting, just completed.  I had started with the background and had no idea what to do for the focal point.  I sat with this piece for a few days before I added the hummingbird.  At the time, it was just a few days before the hummingbirds in our yard were gone for the season and I wanted to remember them this year.  I was also contemplating how so many of my family and friends are in the midst of quite a few challenges this year.  I wanted this painting to symbolize love, joy, truth, and resilience.  A spirit of surrendering to the moment, not giving up, but accepting the challenges and facing them with grace and fortitude.  This painting will be available in an upcoming Facebook auction I am participating in.  Each month, our group donates 20% of our sales to a worthwhile charity or cause.  I would love it if you would check it out!  It's a great way to own a piece of...

"Stand by Me" This is one of my latest paintings in my series of tree paintings.  It was created using layers of hand-painted papers, acrylic paints, and acrylic inks.  So many hours were spent on the trees and trying to create sort of an ethereal feel and look to this one.  Here is a photo of how this one began and the progress: This painting will be available for purchase during a couple of art shows I am participating in this year.  The first is in Parker, CO, Art in the Park, on August 25th and 26th from 10:00 - 4:00.  The second show is the Castle Rock Artfest in Castle Rock, CO on Sept. 8th and 9th from 10:00 - 5:00.  I would love to see you there!  In the meantime, feel free to send me an email , or follow me on Facebook and Instagram .   

"Undone" This is a little abstract, mixed media piece titled, "Undone".  It was created on watercolor paper and then mounted to an  8 X 8 cradle board.  It features text from vintage books, rusted cloth, and thin wire attached with small stitching.  I also used coffee grounds to create a rich color and texture in the background and used various elements, such as sticks and twigs, to make marks.   This piece is available.  Currently, it is being shown up at the Manitou Springs Art Center .  I would love to have you stop by and take a look!  Please message me with comments or if you would like further information.  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com https://donnamartinfineart.com/ https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/ https://www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/

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.  ...

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 ...

"Magic in the Mess" It's hard to believe that January is already over and another month has begun.   What a month January was.  My son got married in December and they announced that they are having a baby boy, due to make his appearance the first part of June.  He will be our first Grandson and we are so excited.  At the same time, my Father-in-Law became extremely ill and recently passed away.  It's so hard to believe he is gone.  My husband still feels like he needs to pick up the phone every week and check on him.  My daughter struggles...every day.  She is a single mom raising my granddaughter on her own.  I worry about my aging parents and I wish we lived closer so we could help more.  I constantly wonder what will happen next and how will we get through it.  I thought things would be easier at this stage of life.   I guess my point is, there always seems to be some mess, some drama going on in life. ...

"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.   There was just no question where you stood with Mikey.  My husband has commented so many times about what a great role model he was.  I believe it because my husband is a great man.  Mikey took me into the family just like a daughter and I loved him.  We have so many great memories of him and walking through life with him.  I am grateful.   Mikey would always tell us, "Everybody's got to go some...

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. So here it goes, I'll open myself up and get honest and real.  I guess I'm also hoping for a transformation of sorts.  Longing to get out of the gloom and negativity that has plagued me for a few months now.  I want to see some light and also be some sort of light for others. I'm so tired of living in this dark place and I'm hoping, maybe through working on my artwork, the light will eventually come. 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

"Forever" This is a little mixed media piece 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. saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com www.donnamartinfineart.com

"Trust Your Heart" So, it's a New Year, and of course, time for resolutions and "new beginnings".  I have to admit, I struggle this time of year.  I sort of get melancholy and I am not the most optimistic person during this "season".  Everything seems dull and gray and sort of lifeless.  Honestly, I wish I were a bear and could go into hibernation mode until the spring.   At the beginning of a new year, it seems everyone always has the best intentions and I do too.  But, about mid-January, I have given up on any sort of "resolution" I may have made verbally or in my head.  I convince myself that it was the New Year's Eve champagne talking - not really me.  I didn't mean it...I never would have made that my resolution.  So as you can see,  I really, really stink at resolutions and it is a big problem for me.  Keeping this in mind, I decided not to make them anymore.  Instead, last year, I decided to co...

She Decided to be Brave I haven't written in a while...sometimes I feel like I need to have something profound to say.  So all of these thoughts came to me after having a lunch date with some friends.  One of the friends I had lunch with is one of my dearest friends ever - you know the kind - she knows all your secrets and she still likes you!  We've been friends for around 13 years now.  The other two friends have been acquaintances for a number of years, but we are just now getting to know each other and beginning to get comfortable.  At one point in the conversation, I could consciously feel myself beginning to get "guarded". There wasn't a specific reason for this, I'm not sure why this feeling came upon me.  I was trying to be careful so I didn't say the wrong thing, trying to think of something funny to say, or something really clever to interject into the conversation.  I was so physically and emotionally aware of it at that m...

"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: saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com   You can view ...