BUSY, BUSY, BUSY . . .

Things have been busy since we returned to Idaho from Arizona last month.  We've put our house on the market here after making the decision to make Ajo our main residence. Then, starting next year, we plan to do reverse snowbirding to Idaho in the summer.  It took a whole 4 hours on MLS before we had the first request for a showing (and subsequent offer!) so now it's packing time. I tell you this because my blogging has been a little sparse lately, and just may get sparser for a while.  

In the meantime . . .

'CONVERSATION WITH DUSK'

'IN THE HOURS JUST BEFORE'

Both of these pieces are 

12 x 12 Acrylic on textured canvas.

I love working on textured canvas.  It helps add a little surprise to the finished piece.  Photographing the work though adds some challenges as it's hard not to wind up with some unwanted white highlights.  You'll have to take my word that they do look better in real life. :)

Both of these pieces are available on my website at:  www.charleenmartin.com

I love Lilacs. These are from our yard and I dressed them up in a Vase given to me about 30 years ago by my oldest daughter.  I also love this vase.  The problem is, Lilacs last all of about a half a day before they start to become Cinderella at midnight. Unfortunately, there is no glass slipper that turns them back to being Princess worthy once they drink from the slipper.   I still love them though.

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

Hmmm . . .

"At no time, when the astronauts were in space were they alone: there was a constant surveillance by UFOs."

~  Astronaut Scott Carpenter

Carpenter photographed a UFO while in Orbit in May 1962.  NASA still has not released the photo.

SO . . . A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT

PHOTOGRAPHS.

I decided to put my new camera to good use.  I've added an additional category to my Website called

'PHOTOGRAPHY: 
THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE CURIOUS'

There's so much Beauty out there.  I take a lot of photographs which I predominantly use for reference.  I thought I would take them to the next level, sharing them, so if you would like, you could enjoy them in your own home.  Below is my Piece 'Sonoran Beauty' shown used 3 different ways.

SONORAN BEAUTY

To get more information on this Piece as a Throw Pillow,
(available in several sizes)
Please click HERE

To get more information on Sonoran Beauty as a Print
(above example is on canvas)
Please click HERE

AND . . .

If you are in the market for a new Tote Bag and think you might like Sonoran Beauty on yours, you can get more information HERE

(Other products also available)

Advice from a Cactus:

Emphasize your strong points
Be patient during dry spells
You will bloom when it's your time
Always stay sharp                                ~ unknown

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

This is an Ajo Mountainscape but it almost looks like it could be a distant shot of the Pyramids.  I love the sky, because as a painter, those low clouds look like they could have been painted on with thick paint and a palette knife.  Very 3-dimensional.  And, very beautiful.

Charleen