Donna L. Martin Fine Art

"Take These Broken Wings" Sometimes we feel lost, broken, and so alone.  We feel like we've lost the ability to "fly", to find the joy, the ability to be grateful and see the good in the world.  It's almost as though we look in the mirror and don't recognize the shadow looking back at us. Sometimes, we need people to help us recreate our broken wings, to transform them into something different, something beautiful.  We need the random kindness of a stranger, a smile from the person behind the counter, almost as much as we need the people that know us the best and love us anyway.  Let's face it, there is much brokenness in the world.  People are hurting, people are searching, people are crying alone in the darkness of the night.  My question to you is, can you be a light?  Can you give someone a smile or say hello, even thought we are all different?  Can you make a difference in someone's life and be a step to mending broken wings? ...

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

"Free to Dream" Thought I'd give you a sneak peak into the process of creating this piece.  It was so much fun and so much heart and soul went into it.  I hope you enjoy! This is the beginning of this painting...just an ol' gray background on a cradle board. I stenciled some turquoise paint on to the gray background...'cause I just love turquoise! I added layers of paper -  they just have the most gorgeous papers out there these days! Adding more blue and a little white acrylic paint just to tone it down a bit. I got this cool stencil from Etsy and just had to try it.  I used patching paste...the kind you use to patch holes in your wall.  (tip ~ clean it off of your stencils right away and clean it in a bucket of water you can dump outside ~ you don't want that stuff clogging up your pipes) Both sides of the painting in progress.  I try to work on both sides at the same time in order to get a cohesive feel...

Blossom This is one of my first Mixed Media pieces titled "Blossom". This piece means alot to me - a whirlwind of emotions were poured in and and came out of this one! I didn't want her to be "realistic", but more "whimsical".  I had a great time creating her.  I used alot of different items to create texture and depth in this piece. Her hair is made out of twine. I glued each individual piece on and painted each strand. Her wings are made out of broken glass. At first, she had dark brown eyes, but they just didn't give the viewer the effect I wanted, so I glazed green iridescent paint over the brown. Her eyes change colors between green and brown, depending on the viewers angle. I used molding paste and painted various papers to add into the composition. Broken glass added to make "wings". I decided I needed to add some text to complete my thoughts about this one.  I found some vintage sheet music and tor...

So it begins...we are on our way to Albuquerque, New Mexico so I can attend a workshop being held by Tracy Verdugo.  I love her work and knew I had to take this workshop.  Tracy has the most fabulous spirit and it shows in all of her work.  Bonus - we love road trips, so Chris was excited to come with me. We stopped along the Santa Fe Trail.  I love, love history, so this was just another bonus along the way. Beautiful sunset along the stretch of Highway we were traveling.  It felt like the promise of a magical weekend ahead. We are starting our first morning of the workshop.  I am so nervous...you guys that know me know that I am shy and not very outgoing.  Wondering how I am going to make it through this - I actually couldn't hide in a corner and play like I was invisible.  Tracy was so welcoming and made us all feel at home.  The sun was shining...I was starting to feel ok. We started out by dividing our canvas ...

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

Wild Horses This was an original watercolor painting I did using my favorite colors - blues, purples, and rich golds.  I love the feeling of strength and freedom in "Wild Horses"!  The original piece is sold, but prints are available in various sizes at:   http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-donna-martin.html For questions or comments, or commissions, please feel free to contact me at:   saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com http://donnamartinfineart.blogspot.com/ www.donnamartinfineart.com

"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 p...