Donna L. Martin Fine Art

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.  ...

The Circle of Life I can finally share this piece!  I think it's become one of my favorites.  This was a commission piece for my husband's sweet Aunt.  She loves butterflies and she had seen another piece that I had completed last year and asked if I would create something along the same lines for her.  Although this didn't turn out to be an exact replica of the piece I created before, I love this one even more.  It is lighter and more luminescent than the other was.  I added 5 butterflies representing her "original family".  Now, the family has evolved and transformed, with the blessing of grandchildren and spouses.  I feel like this painting symbolizes the evolution of life...how it can change and become even more beautiful than we ever dreamed possible. I used a vintage handkerchief for the background.  I also added some spackling paste for texture and depth. I added various paints and inks.  F...

Beauty in the Brokenness “There is nothing beautiful about the wreckage of a human being.   There is nothing pretty about the damage, about pain, about heartache.   What is beautiful is their strength, their resilience, their fortitude as they display an ocean of courage when they pick through the wreckage of their life to build something beautiful, brand new, against every odd that is stacked against them.”   - Nikita Gill   We don’t always see it in ourselves, but beauty truly can come from the brokenness. This piece was created with layers of paper, paint, and acrylic inks.   I also added some modeling paste in certain areas on the painting, which gives it a bit of raised texture. This piece is 20 X 20 X 1.5, created on a thick, gallery wrapped canvas.  It is available.  Please email me with questions or comments at:  saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com .  You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram: htt...

"Be Still" This little 8 X 8 abstract is fresh off the easel.  There's alot going on in this painting, but for me, it's a simple reminder that sometimes we just have to "be still". This painting is available.  It is currently on exhibit at the Manitou Art Center in Manitou Springs, CO. Feel free to send me an email with any questions or comments! www.donnamartinfineart.com www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart https://www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/

There is Always Light Well, this one was a wild ride!  This is fresh off the easel and for a while, it was a true ugly duckling.  I decided to walk...no run, out of my comfort zone and use colors that I don't usually use.  The photo below is the beginning of the process, using stencils and collage, and then trying to tone it down with some titanium white. After this, I added texture around the piece using molding paste and stencils, layering one stencil over the other so it wouldn't look so "contrived".  After it was dry, I began adding inks...in colors that I wouldn't normally use.  I used a purple ink that had just a small amount of shimmer to it.  It was very, very bright and I needed to tone it down again.  After the "wild colors" had dried, I added sepia ink over the whole piece...several times. At this stage, I was pretty sure I had ruined it, but what happened next was pretty amazing.  The colors started sho...

"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 .   

Winter Day This little painting is fresh off the easel.  It was created with hand-painted papers, inks, and acrylic paints.  It has a dreamy, luminescent quality because of all the layers and glazing of paint. This one measures 8 X 8 and is finished with a simple, black floater frame.  It is available.  Feel free to send me an email for questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing. Be sure to follow me on Facebook , Instagram , or check out my website .

" Today I Choose to Be a Light" This is the latest in my little series.  The title is, "Today I Choose to Be a Light".  I've been pondering the thought that every day we can choose our attitudes towards others and towards life in general.  This is the thought I chose for today.  I'm not perfect, but how can I be a light for others?  Can I extend a kind word, look at someone and smile, acknowledge someone and look them in the eye without just brushing past them?  Today I will make that effort and do my best. This little painting is 8 X 8, framed in a simple black floater frame.  It is available.  Feel free to send me an email with any questions or comments.  www.donnamartinfineart.com www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/ www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

Make Memories This is my latest Encaustic/Mixed Media piece.  The background was done with layers of hand-painted papers and inks.  The trees were created with acrylic ink, as were the leaves around the trunks.  After the encaustic wax was added, I scraped in additional branches and marks. I decided to add these words to it, "make memories".  I see so many people on their phones and just not making connections face to face anymore...truth be told, myself included.  Even at events, vacations, or something as simple as spending time with family, some moments, some memories, are lost because we are trying to capture it in a photo on our phones.  I wanted to remind myself not to take these moments for granted, to actually live it and cherish the memory of it. This piece is available.  It is a small, 8 X 8, that I've framed in a simple, black floater frame.  Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions, com...

The Circle of Life I can finally share this piece!  I think it's become one of my favorites.  This was a commission piece for my husband's sweet Aunt.  She loves butterflies and she had seen another piece that I had completed last year and asked if I would create something along the same lines for her.  Although this didn't turn out to be an exact replica of the piece I created before, I love this one even more.  It is lighter and more luminescent than the other was.  I added 5 butterflies representing her "original family".  Now, the family has evolved and transformed, with the blessing of grandchildren and spouses.  I feel like this painting symbolizes the evolution of life...how it can change and become even more beautiful than we ever dreamed possible. I used a vintage handkerchief for the background.  I also added some spackling paste for texture and depth. I added various paints and inks.  F...

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.   www.saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com www.donnamartinfineart.com www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/ www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/

These Are the Moments “Paradise has never been about places.   It exists in moments.   In connection.   In flashes across time.” – Victoria Erickson Seems like in this life, we get those rare and beautiful moments of just pure joy.   I was reminiscing about one of those beautiful moments when I created this painting.   I embedded a photo that I took off the coast of Oregon into the background.   I embellished it with paints and inks and added another small tree.   The background also has a portion of an old deed embedded into it along with some fabric and painted papers.   The whole piece was then finished with a layer of encaustic wax. This painting is sold, but commissions are available.  Feel free to send me an email with any questions or comments! www.donnamartinfineart.com www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/

"Peace Among the Trees" This is my newest piece.  It was created after learning about a dear friend who was recently diagnosed with a devastating form of cancer.  Sometimes, after news like that, there are no words.  There was and is so much emotion and so many stages of "grief" after getting the news.  My friend is strong and courageous.  Her roots are planted deep and she will fight this with all she has.  She is walking through this battle with grace and fortitude.  She is truly my hero and my inspiration.     This piece was created with may layers of painted papers, paints, and inks. It was finished with a layer of beautiful, dreamy, encaustic wax. This is a small 8 X 8 piece, which I have finished with a simple black floater frame.  It is available.  You can send me an email here with any questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing. You can check out more of my work at ...

Legend of the Tree This painting is fresh off the easel.  It has rich texture created with papers, paints, and stamps.  The words in the painting are blurred, offering the viewer a little mystery and suggesting that they take their best guess as to what they are saying.   This painting was created as a gift for a very special friend, but commissions are welcome.  I would love to hear from you with any questions or comments.  You can send me a message at saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com . www.donnamartinfineart.com www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/ www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart

"In the Midst" This painting is finally done...fresh off the easel.  I've been challenging myself with creating abstract art lately.  It has really been a challenge, but I am loving every minute of it.  This was actually created because I didn't like the elements of the whole painting, but in pieces, it began to come together to form a cohesive piece that.  When I had finished the layout and composition, I began to wonder what would happen if I added a layer of encaustic wax over the entire piece...why not?  The result was dreamy and a little mysterious.  I know so many friends and family that are going through difficult times. In creating this piece, I was feeling as if the in the midst of chaos or confusion, small pieces of even those difficult moments can all come together to create something beautiful.   Sometimes, the only thing that makes sense is taking the small, beautiful, and the unexpected fragment...

Uncaged This is an original mixed media piece. It was created using inks, paint, paper, molding paste, and gold mica flakes. It was finished with a beautiful resin coating, which makes the colors "pop" and eliminates the need for framing. This piece is sold, but commissions are welcome.  Please feel free to contact me at: saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/ http://donnamartinfineart.com/ www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/

"Breathe" This is a small, original mixed media/abstract piece that I just completed.  These abstract works cause me to stretch and reach beyond my comfort zone, which I think is a good thing.  I am still learning and growing within this style, but I love it so much. This painting is available.  It is an 8 X 8, mounted on a 1.5" deep cradle board.    Feel free to contact me at   saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com   with any questions or comments. www.donnamartinfineart.com www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart/ www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/

Singing a New Song One day it happened.  The seemingly never-ending fog began to clear.  The tiniest rays of crystal clear sunlight began to peak through the clouds.  Slow and uncertain, she decided to be brave and she began to allow the cracks in her heart to allow the light in, a little at a time.  It had been a long, cold season.  As she closed her eyes and breathed it in, she could feel her heart beginning to sing a new song. This piece has a vintage hankie as the background.  Vintage French ledger paper was added, as well as a photo transfer that I embellished with paint and inks.  I added leaves to the branches and finished it with a layer of encaustic wax, which gives the entire piece a “vintage” feel. This piece is sold, but commissions are welcome.  I would love to hear from you!  Feel free to email me. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram ! www.donnamartinfineart.com

Go Your Own Way Everyone said, “Follow me”.  It was expected, and for a while, she did what she was told.  This was not the path she wanted to take.  She did not want to fly in conformity with all the others.  There were mysteries to be solved and adventures to be had.  And then it happened, like a dream that whispered her name in the middle of the night.  She noticed that not only were her own wings beautiful, but they were strong.  They were not like everyone else’s.  A still small voice inside of her nudged her to try out her own unique and beautiful wings.  That voice told her it was a good thing to go her own way.  So she did.  And she never looked back.   This piece began with fabric from a vintage napkin.  I loved this photo that I had taken of a tree in Oregon and decided to embed it in the piece.  I also added bits of paper and paint.  At the last minute, I decided I wanted to ad...