DREAM ON . . .

'DON'T BE AFRAID TO FOLLOW THAT DREAM'

6 x 6" Acrylic on canvas . . . with a lot of movement going on!

Maybe sometimes with a little trepidation, but don't let it get away.

I'm still out and about walking just about everyday with trusty camera in hand and I have been fortunate to get a few more nice shots that I thought I would share with you.  Some of you may have seen some of these before.  If so, I hope you enjoy them for a second time.

this photo is from behind the baptist church in ajo

One of my favorite photos taken over the last few weeks.  

This piece can be interpreted in so many ways.

'Death is not the greatest loss in life. 
The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.'

~ norman cousins

from a small strip mall on our main road

Self explanatory :)

marcellas restaurant, ajo, az

I wonder how many people ate here and never noticed all the mis-matched fans?

main street ajo, az

Al Capone and his buddies must have been to town.

around the corner and down the street :)

How often do you get a burro, (looking at me!) a Raven and a flowering Saguaro all in one photo?  This looks to me like something from the old west.  And just to show you what it looks like in color:

Not nearly as much personality as in black and white

(in my humble opinion).  I love the black and white version,

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

'slow dancin', swayin' to the Music

no one else in the whole wide world . . .'

  Morning sky over Ajo, May 20th, 2021

Have a great weekend everyone!

Charleen

CATCH YOUR DREAM . . .

REACH OUT. THEY ARE WAITING.

'THE TREES WATCH AS
THE DREAMS FLOAT AROUND THEM'

12 x 12" Acrylic over an Acrylic pour

for more information on this piece
please visit my website at:

www.charleenmartin.com

We were out for a desert ride Sunday with some friends and came upon this fellow.  I'm pretty sure I posted a similar photo about 2 years ago when we first found this Cristate.  It's a Saguaro with a deformity at the top.  Or, maybe all the others are deformed with their perfectly round tops, and this is how they are suppose to be.  :)  But, there are only 4 (that we know of) in the area of the Sonoran desert right around Ajo.  They don't know what causes this ... lightening, a cancer, or possibly even frost.  This is two angles on the same saguaro.  They are considered Iconic symbols of the Sonoran Desert.

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

                                             indi behrendt

No, that's not me.  :) 
It tells a great story though, don't you think.

Photography takes an instant out of time,
altering life by holding it still.
~  dorothea lange

Charleen

LET'S FISH!

If people concentrated on the really important

things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles. 

~ doug larson 

 EARLY MORNING DOWN AT THE OLD FISHING HOLE 

 12 x 12 Acrylic on textured canvas  

For more information on this Piece Please click HERE

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

I love how the light is reflecting off the Church steeple in this photo, and the wisp of the white cloud peeking out above.  I took this photo when we were down in Arizona. :)

Charleen

WELL INTO NOVEMBER, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE HERE ...

(ACTUALLY, IT'S NOW INTO DECEMBER.  ALL I HAD TO DO WAS HIT THE 'SEND' BUTTON WHEN I FINISHED THIS AND FOR SOME REASON IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN)  :(  

 'HAZY SUNDAY MORNING. LATE SEPTEMBER.'

12 x 12" Acrylic on Textured Canvas

SEE WHAT I MEAN ... THIS WAS YESTERDAY MORNING.

MEANWHILE, DOWN IN AJO, THIS IS MY HUSBANDS MORNING VIEW . . .

    

                                                        

      

IF YOU READ LAST MONTHS BLOG THEN YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT ...

NOTHING LIKE TRYING TO MAKE THE PLACE SEEM A LITTLE HOMEY ... AT LEAST FOR THE HUMMINGBIRDS! :)

                                                                                                               ~ indy behrendt

IT LOOKS LIKE THIS TREE IS SWALLOWING ALL THE ENERGY FROM THE SKY. 

ACCORDING TO THE OLD CELTIC ALPHABET THE LETTER 'STR' (YES, I KNOW, BUT IT COUNTS AS ONE LETTER :) IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BLACKTHORN TREE AND THE BLACKTHORN TREE IS SAID TO BE GOOD FOR GROUNDING AND SETTLING DISTURBED EMOTIONS.  

LET'S GO WITH THAT.  THIS IS A BLACKTHORN TREE AND IT'S GROUNDING/SETTLING A BUNCH OF UNHAPPY ANGELS DISTURBED EMOTIONS.

I HOPE THEIR DAY IS BETTER TOMORROW!  

AND I HOPE YOURS IS GREAT!

Charleen

TO TEXTURE OR NOT TO TEXTURE ...

I painted the top Piece 'Nature laughs in Color' several weeks ago.  Un-textured on a blank (black) canvas. I just painted the smaller Piece 'On a Summer Evening' yesterday, on a textured (black) canvas.  I thought it would be fun to do two that were similar in content and color but on 2 totally different canvas bases. 

I used a brush to paint both, but the bottom Piece was finished it off with a few 'swipes' of the Palette knife. :)

'NATURE LAUGHS IN COLOR'

12 x 12" Acrylic on Canvas

'ON A SUMMER EVENING'

6 x 6" Acrylic on Textured Canvas

For more information on either of these Please visit my Website at:

www.charleenmartin.com

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Clouds of the Day . . .

To semi-quote our daughter, who took this photo, "This was a cool cloud thingie she saw on the water recently, and she thought of me." :)  I actually think she may have been out 'Orca scouting' when she saw this.  It is a cool cloud thingie.  It reminds me of a Great White shark ... probably hovering out of the water and away from the Orcas.  The Great White may be the school bully (all talk, sharp teeth, just mean but no substance) but evidently the Orca is the Star Football player in this match up.

Charleen

TO DREAM, OR NOT TO DREAM ...

HOW ABOUT DREAMING IN COLOR?

IF THE NIGHT CAN DO IT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ...

THE NIGHT DREAMS IN COLOR

6 X 8 Acrylic on wood panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

Did you know that approximately 80% of people dream in color, that the color is usually more to the pastel shades, and ... those of us that wake up and can remember specific colors from our dreams are usually people who are more attuned to color during their daytime life.  Like maybe Artists?  :)

'All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.'~  Walt Disney

******************************************************

New 4 x 4" Mixed Media Collages

I decided I wanted to work on some smaller pieces when we are on the road.  Paintings would probably be the easiest but for some reason e a sy is a word I seem to neglect more than I should.  I decided to work on small, fun Collages and below are some of the results.  The actual artwork is 4 x 4" and then adhered to a heavy watercolor paper (7 x 7").  They can easily be matted and framed, or even better, at Michaels they have 8 x 8 frames with 2 glass inserts so the artwork can be centered between the 2 pieces of glass.  This way the whole piece shows, including the deckled edges of the watercolor paper.

'No limit on smiles'

      

                           "What do you mean,                         "Let's ride!" 
                      we're out of chocolate ...?"

                                          

'A prickley situation'

 In my March/April Newsletter I talk about our visit to Jerome, Arizona.  The whole town lines both sides of a fairly high switchback road for several blocks (or, several switches :).  The old car in 'Let's Ride!' sits permanently outside one of the many great shops up along the main road.  If you have never been, it's an interesting place to visit.  Just make sure to bring good walking shoes and a walking stick!

**********************************

CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

This was one of our night sky's over Ajo.  Besides just being a beautiful Sunset this one almost seems to be talking.   Wisdom.  I hear wisdom.

I WONDER ... DO YOU?

'THE IMPORTANCE OF WONDER'

6 x 6" Acrylic on Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

I saw 'late evening' when I did this and then another Artist commented that she saw an 'early morning mist'.  I love it when that happens.  It's always fun to hear how other people interpret your work.  Years ago I had a card company where we (hand) produced 3-dimensional cards.  One of the cards I designed had a big yellow schoolbus on the front (with a little boy pulling a litte girls pigtails inside the bus :).  On the front it also said 'You finally made it!'  On the inside you could interchange greetings.  I initially put in Congratulations because I designed it as a Graduation card.  But ... one of my Retail customers ordered it with 'Happy Birthday!' inside.  When I called to make sure it wasn't an error he said No, he saw it as a birthday card.  It had never occured to me to use it as a B'day card but as soon as he said it I saw it. 

As Knowledge increases, Wonder deepens

~  Charles Morgan

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O.K. I did something a little different today.  The first photo is my cloud photo .. wispy and hardly there.  But just for fun, this is the same photo as viewed through a Teleidsocope (not a 'Kaleidoscope')  Kaleisocopes work on the practice of seeing designs through bits of glass, seashells, etc.  Teleidoscope Designs come from what you are actually viewing through a series of mirrors.  Your trivia for today.  :)

Charleen

FROM THE IDAHO STUDIO of CHARLEEN MARTIN

MUSHROOMS ANYONE ...?

Sorry.  These are the legal kind.  Or at least so I'm told!  I've been eating them for the last week and haven't taken any unexplained 'trips' so I think they are right.  :)

These are Morel Mushrooms.  A lot of you may know that already but I'd never seen, or had any before this past week.   I'd heard the name but that was it.  My neighbor introduced me to them.  They had gone mushroom gathering and she brought me some of hers.  I guess they are in abundance in this area and this is the season for picking them.  If you like mushrooms (and I do) these are delicious.  Sorry if you know all about these already but I figure there has to be one or two others out there like me who were not mushroom educated.  :)

I have a couple of small pieces that I've done that I will share today.  I do need to get on the stick and get a few bigger pieces done.  :/ 

MORNING ARRIVES ... FASHIONABLY LATE

5 X 7"  on Textured Wood Panel

This was a fun Piece to do and somewhat of an experiment.  I textured the wood, then used a Brayer to put on the initial background.  After that I used a Brush and a Palette Knife to finish up the piece.  I love how it turned out and I know I'll use this process again in the future.

For more information on this Piece Please Click Here

WHEN THE SUNSET IS IN AGREEMENT

6 x 6 on Textured Wood Panel

This is another Piece done on a Textured background and this is especially striking from a distance.  I also used a Brayer, Brush and Palette Knife on this one.  :) 

For more information on this Piece Please Click Here

You can't depend on your eyes if your imagination is out of focus ...

Mark Twain

A 'toast' to Wonderful Memories of those who have gone on ahead.

Have a Wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend.

Charleen

THE APRIL RAINS STRUCK OUT ...

... at least here in Mullan, Idaho!

We had plenty of April Rains but there isn't much to see for May Flowers. A Tulip or Daffodil here or there but not much more.  I know that's probably because of our altitude (3278 feet) which means the Flowers will just be later in getting here and earlier to leave. :(  I tried to hurry things along last weekend by planting some Flowers in my Strawberry Pots just for some color.  Unfortunately that was an Oops! because the next day everything was wilted from the nightime colder temperatures.  It was 70 during the day (Now back down to the 50's) but it went down to the low 40's that night.  My impatience caught up with me.

I did a smaller Piece very similar to this a while back but only with two Trees.  The Trees were also 'in discussion' in that one.  It sold right away ... I think mostly because of the Trees conversation!  :)  I decided to do another, mostly because it was just a fun Piece.  Hopefully this brings a smile or two also.

 

THE SIBLING TREES:  "MOVE OVER!"

                                                           "NO ... YOU MOVE OVER!"

8 x 10 Acrylic on Textured Wood Panel.
For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

Here's a little Gem.. Maybe perfect for the Sunflower Lover? :) This is a 4 x 4" that comes with it's own stand (as shown) for Display.

 

'A SUNFLOWER KISS'

4 X 4"  on Wood Panel w/Stand

For more information Please Click  HERE

Another landscape on a Textured Wood Panel ...

'THE EVENING SMILED IN ITS SILENCE'

12 x 12" Acrylic on Textured Panel

For more information Please Click HERE

Mothers Day is this coming Weekend.   I want to Wish, whomever wants to accept the Wish, :) a very Happy Mothers Day!

And then, I'll let Milton Berle finish up ...

"If evolution really works, how come Mothers only have two hands?"

SOME SPRING COLORS ...

I've done up quite a few textured Canvases and Boards and I'm enjoying working on them.  Obviously the texture adds dimension to the Painting but it also seems to bring a second personality to it too.

SANCTUARY

12 X 12 Acrylic on Textured Canvas

For more information on this piece Please Click HERE

sanctuary:  1. a place of refuge or safety  2.  a nature reserve  3. the title of this piece  :)

Enjoy your day!

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

I don't know why we've been so lucky this year and I know it has not been that way for s lot of you.  We should have remnants of at least 4 feet of snow and instead we can already see the first blades of grass turning green.  My neighbor even mowed his lawn today.  I'm guessing that might even be a first around here at this time of the year.  I'm certainly not complaining.  It's been an easy winter here, and with us trying to finish our home and get moved in, it certainly made things a lot easier not having to plow through the snow to get it all done.  The lack of snow is a little worrisome because of fire potential in the forests around us come summer, but then 2 inches of rain in the last 48 hours may just help make up for that! 

One of the first things we did after moving in (and getting 'somewhat' settled :) is add to the family.  His name is Roscoe and he is an 8 year old half Australian Cattle dog and ??  He was in an unhappy situation, and when we saw the circumstances we just couldn't leave him there.  Soooo ... home he came.  He has to be the most gentle, well mannered dog I've ever met.  I think whomever had him initially took very good care of him and spent some time training him.  He fit right in and seems to be enjoying his new digs.  Dodger, our little Terrier Mix, wasn't too sure at first (it was all about the sharing) but seems to have adjusted to the fact that he is no longer an only child.  Oh ... life can be so cruel!  :(

ROSCOE  (note the tail ~ it literally looks like a raccoon tail!)

I have a deadline coming up in 4 weeks for work due to Entree Gallery up in Nordman, Idaho so have been busy working on that (along with staining and varnishing all the woodwork here in the house. :)  At least I am consistent with keeping a brush in my hands . . . !

Following are a few of the smaller pieces that I have done so far . . .

MURMURS AND WHISPERS

6 X 6" Acrylic on Canvas

I looked at this when I was done and thought "Oh ... the trees on the right look like they are talking about that tree on the left!"  Thus, the title.  :)

For more information Please click HERE

RED SKY AT NIGHT: REVERENCE

                                                            6 X 6" Acrylic on Canvas 
                                                   This one was done with a Palette Knife.
                                                For more information Please Click HERE

"I TOLD YOU . . .!"

8 x 10" Acrylic and Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

For more information Please Click HERE

I haven't worked on any jewelry for the last couple of weeks.  I want to make sure I have what I need as far as paintings go and then I'll go back to the jewelry side of my Brain.

SPRING IS NATURES WAY OF SAYING "LET'S PARTY!"

Robin Williams

WWW.CHARLEENMARTIN.COM

To see  my monthly Newsletter you can go here to read past issues and/or sign up 

                                    http://charleenmartinfineart.com/email-newsletter

THERE IS A REASON . . .

WHY YOU HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ME.  And no, I wasn't on some luxurious vacation somewhere (I only wish!).   I have been busy purging, packing, moving, unpacking and purging some more for the last 2 months. I am hoping (praying is more like it) that this is the last time I will have to do this.  I have moved so many times in my life that I used to kid that my boxes could unpack themselves and the contents knew exactly where to go.   Not so much this time.  This time they made me work for the satisfaction of seeing everything in its place, in its new home.  (And of course, not everything is in its place, in its new home yet ~ that is going to take me a while).  Maybe I am just getting old!  

This is a piece I actually got done just before all the chaos ensued. :)  

'PAST THE GREEN FIELDS, INTO THE WOODS'

This piece was done with a Palette Knife. 

6 X 6  Acrylic on wood panel.   

For more information on this piece Please Click HERE 

I am back in my Studio!!   We did downsize so my Studio space is a lot smaller now.  (Actually, it's rather nice ~ everything is at my fingertips, and for the moment, all organized!) That was one of my problems though  ... trying to decide what I would and wouldn't actually keep.  As a Mixed Media Artist I always feel like I'm going to need EVERYTHING.  I am trying to simplify my life so not EVERYTHING was going to make the move.  But ... more things made the move than can fit into my Studio so more purging was (and still is!) necessary.  

PISTACHIO

I decided to start off by doing a new Jewelry piece.   The green makes me think of spring.  Must be wishful thinking!  Although I do have to say, we have enjoyed a VERY mild winter.  Since this is our first one up here in this area we know we got lucky.  Last year at this time there was several feet of snow on the ground.  This year ... nothing.  I can see snow on the distant mountains (higher) but the ones surrounding us are totally bare.  

For more information on this Piece Please click HERE

  Since we downsized we do still have a fairly good sized storage unit full of furniture and 'stuff' to go through but now that we are in the house we can take our time with that.  I should be able to get back into a routine now that most of the unpacking is done.  

For fun I will include a photo of one of the many 'unusual'  :)  things we did in the house. This first photo is one of our Kitchen cabinets.  As you can probably tell, it is a stainless steel toolbox/workbench.  It may have initially been designed for the men in our lives but I will tell you it makes the greatest kitchen cabinet!!  

There is a door on the right that you can't see where I can store my pots but notice how many drawers it has.  When do you ever have enough kitchen drawers? And, they are on ball bearings so they pull out sooo easily.  :)  And since they are made to hold heavy tools weight is not an issue.

This is a view inside several of the drawers ...

They are perfect depth for things like silverware, spices, pot lids, baking pans, etc. etc.  Anyway, thought I'd share that with you.  Obviously this wouldn't be for everyone but I really love it.   In fact, I bought a different version for my studio to hold all my paints, brushes and the like.  I'll see if I can get a photo of that for next time.

Now I have to start working on my monthly Newsletter, which is also 2 months behind.  :(

til next time ...

Charleen

"I love deadlines.  I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by."

                                                           Douglas Adams  (The Salmon of Doubt)

www.charleenmartin.com