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? ...

"You Are Not Alone" This is my latest mixed media/assemblage.  The story unfolded as I was painting and constructing it.  I was thinking about how we are all faced with challenges in our lives, sometimes they seem insurmountable.  If I'm being real, authentic, and honest, I know lately sometimes I feel like I struggle to find the light in my soul and I can't seem to climb out of the darkness.  Painting helps me rise above this darkness and seek out the light. These wings came into existence and this verse kept coming to mind to remind me that when I feel dark and alone, I'm really not.      For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.   Psalm 91:11 (KJV)  This color palette is not one that I normally use, but it fits the piece beautifully.  It is rich with texture and many subtle layers.  The middle piece is part of an antique corbel that I found.  I also found an antique bronze "l...

"Transformation" Lately, there have been alot of changes and "transformations" in my life.  This latest painting symbolizes the changes and the beauty that can eventually come from the "mess" of life. I started this painting, probably a good 3 years ago.  I threw paint on the canvas very randomly and then got "stuck".  I didn't know where to go with the brush strokes or what to do next.  This is how I felt also in my life.  I had a "day job" that I absolutely hated, but I felt so stuck.  The money was wonderful, but the trade off was that I felt like I was losing my soul.  The job dealt with negative, angry people and terrible situations every minute of every day.  It took a toll and I did not feel like myself anymore.  I became very dark, cynical, and did not trust anything anyone would tell me.  I think this carried over into some of my artwork life as well.  When someone would give me a compliment on a paint...