Leaves of Gold, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Leaves of Gold

This painting was inspired by the beauty of Colorado in the fall.  The leaves are sunshine gold and the air is crisp.  I love how the aspen leaves flutter in the breeze and seem to make their own music.

This painting is sold, but commissions are welcome.  Feel free to contact me via email or on social media...I would love to hear from you!

https://dmartinfineart.com/

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart

https://www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart/

 

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

Wildflowers

My Dad recently passed away and in moving through and navigating this difficult season, I have to say that I’ve learned many lessons. This painting was inspired by one of those lessons and I'd like to share with you what I learned. Kindness. Plain, simple, kindness.

I know, we talk about it all the time. We even wear shirts saying “Be Kind” or “Kindness Matters”. But do we really walk the talk. Is kindness and the idea of it something we feel in our hearts and in the depths of our souls? Is kindness just a passing thought or a “nice” idea? How often do we meditate on it? Well, I have been thinking about it. A lot.

Have you considered the person that just “cut in front of you” on the highway? Maybe, just maybe, it was a single mother, late to work because her baby was sick. Maybe she was on the verge of losing her job because this was the second time in two weeks she was late and she has no support system. No close family or friends who can help her out during this difficult time with her sick child. Consider the man who bumped into you at the grocery store and didn’t make eye contact or say “excuse me”. He was in a daze and he should "watch what he's doing". Could it be that he is buying groceries to carry home to his spouse who is dealing with a terrible disease? Maybe someone you work with “blows up for no reason”. Maybe privately, they are waiting on test results to confirm a diagnosis that they never expected. A diagnosis that could turn his life upside down and affect his family in a devastating way.
My point is, everyone truly is fighting a battle. Instead of grumbling or passing judgement, we could just show people some grace and give them a break. We could take it one step further and offer a smile or open the door for someone. Instead of just saying “call me if you need anything”, actually take it a step further. Come over and sit with them and talk to them, listen to them, cry with them. Offer to watch the kids for an hour so Mom can run an important errand and not have to worry about getting the kids out. Cook a meal or bring a gift card for pizza for someone who is not able to do it. Visit a nursing home. Simply just smile, make eye contact with someone, start a casual conversation…put your phone down and be in the moment with someone. These are some of the things I intend to do in the future for hurting people. I won’t always get it right, I know this...I seldom get it right. But I am grateful for the lesson and I will do my best to honor this lesson while I’m here. Because kindness really, really does matter.

This painting will be available at Art in the Park in Parker, Colorado on August 24th.  I would love it if you could stop by and say hello!  And remember, stay kind!

www.donnamartinfineart.com

https://www.instagram.com/donnamartinfineart

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

www.saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

“Wonder”, Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Wonder

Trees seem to be my thing. I’m always inspired and awed by them. They are always so resilient and ever changing at the same time. They never cease to amaze me. For this piece, I combined many layers of hand-painted papers, inks, and acrylic paint. I also painted “outside of my comfort zone”, using colors that I don’t normally use. Finally, I added modeling paste to add depth and more texture.

This piece is available now on Facebook, Artistic Souls Gallery.

www.donnamartinfineart.com

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

"Today I Choose Joy", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

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/

"Go Your Own Way", Original Mixed Media/Encaustic Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

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 add the symbolism of the butterflies.  Of course, one of the butterflies just would not conform and line up with the others!  Perfectly imperfect.  A layer of dreamy encaustic wax finished this piece.

This piece is sold, but commissions are welcome.  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/

"Humble Beginnings", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Humble Beginnings"

This piece was created because of my Brother.  He's followed me along on this "journey".  He told me that I should paint "BIG".  This painting is a result of that effort!  It seemed like it took me forever.  I stressed over it, then enjoyed it, then questioned everything about it.  This is the end result. 

I thought about this painting as a "beginning" of sorts.  By that I thought about symbolizing a young couple starting their own family.  In another new beginning of sorts, It could  symbolize a new beginning as an "empty nester".  Both of those scenarios are big, huge, sometimes scary, unknown adventures.  Both are humbling, full of learning and experiencing a new season in life.  For a new family, it's full of anticipation and expectation.  For a family with children leaving home, it could be grieving and figuring out how to parent in a different way.  It's hard to watch your babies leave the nest and make a new life on their own.  The couple expecting a new baby has to learn how to remain a couple when times are hard and their focus is no longer solely on each other.  The couple letting go of grown children have to relearn how to be a couple, yet still find their own individual paths.  Needless to say, it's complicated.

Close up of Leaves and Texture Detail

Close up of Nest

The nest is made from Pine Needles and a stencil.  It was not easy gluing all of these tiny little needles on to the canvas, but I sure do like how it turned out. 

Detail of the Aspen Trees

Even though life is complicated and there are different seasons, we can always look forward to new beginnings.  I've learned that even when things come to an end, it signifies the beginning of something else.  We just have to be open to whatever is next. Life is always an adventure, so let's learn to enjoy the journey and see where it takes us!

This painting was created with painted papers, stencils, pine needles, vintage sheet music, and of course, layers and layers of paint!  It measures 36X36 and is on gallery wrapped canvas.  It is finished with a resin coating, which makes the colors "pop" and eliminates the need for framing.  This piece comes ready to hang.

For comments, questions, or if you are interested in purchasing, please email me at:
saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.

www.donnamartinfineart.com

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

"Wild and Precious Life", Original Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Wild and Precious Life"

This is an original mixed media painting I created, fresh off the easel.  The inspiration for this piece was to strive every day to live an authentic life and find joy in the chaos of a very ordinary life.  The quote on the piece is from one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, and reads, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"  This piece was created with acrylics, inks, and painted papers.

This one is available.  Please feel free to email me with questions or comments.

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

donnamartinfineart.com

Follow me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/donnamartinfineart

Original Mixed Media Floral Painting, "Shine On", by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Shine On

I've been doing alot of reflection and contemplating these days.  I've been trying to be more conscious, taking more time to really be "in the moment". Cherishing and enjoying those rare, happy, blissful moments.  It seems that even when we are doing something we enjoy or we are with people we love, our minds are going in a million directions and we are still worried - about what happens next, what happens tomorrow, what happens next Tuesday.

Yesterday I was reflecting on those happy moments when I created this little painting.  Those moments of pure joy that I will always treasure.  I thought about my little Granddaughters...their giggles and their laughter at the silly things I say to them.  It causes me to be present in the moment and I get caught up in their laughter.  Nothing else in the world matters in that moment.

This is for all of you sisters, wives, daughters, and mothers who make a difference in the world.  I hope you take the time to be fully happy in the moment and Shine On!

8 X 8 X 1.5 Mixed Media on Birch Cradle Board.  The petals are textured and the little words on it read, "It is the sisters, wives and mothers, you know, who keep the world sweet and beautiful".  The green "leaves" are thin pieces of colored glass.  It will be finished with an epoxy resin coat, so there is no need for framing!  It is available for purchase. 

For more information, comments, or to purchase, please contact me at:

saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com

To view more of my work:

http://donnamartinfineart.com/

"Ada Quite Relieved"Original Contemporary Whimsical Painting by Colorado Artist Nancee Jean Busse

                                



 My Ada series is near and dear to my heart. I love painting these!

 12x30 Acrylic

 Collection of the artist. Prints available.

 Contact Nancee at njovmc@gmail.com for pricing on prints.

 Visit http://NanceeJean.com to view more of my work

 Visit my Art Blog at http://njbussefineart.blogspot.com/

"Ada Looks Her Best" Original Contemporary Whimsical Painting by Colorado Artist Nancee Jean Busse

                                                           

My Ada collection is dear to my heart. I love painting them!

 12x40 Acrylic Collection of the artist.

Prints available. Contact Nancee at njovmc@gmail.com for pricing on prints.

 Visit http://NanceeJean.com to view more of my work

 Visit my Art Blog at http://njbussefineart.blogspot.com/