PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES

WE ALL NEED TO DO THIS ONCE IN A WHILE,

     DON'T WE . . .

'PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES'

4 x 4" Acrylic over an Acrylic Pour (sold)

'JOURNEY TO DAWN'

4 x 4" Acrylic on textured canvas.
Comes with its own stand for display

I still haven't quite gotten everything put away in my studio. Which actually means I have a lot of 'stuff' still sitting on my work tables. :o  Which then means my actual work space is verrry limited so painting miniatures works very well at the moment.  :) There is a madness to everything.

I did make the FINAL decision to end my jewelry designing days. Hard decision, but its done. No more procrastination.  And . . . it did free up some space in my studio.  A good thing.

One of the last pieces I recently did. Available on my Website.

BAHARI NA ANGA (SEA and SKY)

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A lot of people don't associate mountains with the desert but they co-exist here in the Sonoran desert beautifully.  And the ones that surround our area here have the most beautiful skylines.  Rough and jagged and sometimes there are layers upon layers of gradation in the distance.  I just love it! 

Here is the above made into a tote bag . . .

For information on this, please click below:

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/sonoran-life-charleen-martin.html?product=tote-bag

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

               Sunset over Ajo.

I see a vertebrae, a colorful one. A vertebrae of what I don't know, but one just the same. 😳 I also see a beautiful Sunset!!

"ONLY THE WISEST AND STUPIDEST OF MEN,

            NEVER CHANGE"

~ confucius

(and I would think this goes for women too! :) 

Charleen

AWOL

I've been AWOL awhile due to a pretty significant move in our lives.  Idaho to Arizona.  From the land of 120 inches of snow in the winter to a 120 degrees of heat in the summer.  hmmn . . .  Well, fortunately I haven't actually experienced either myself, and hopefully don't intend to!  It will still be winters in Arizona and summers in Idaho for us.  We are just going to be doing a reverse Snowbird thing.  Our homebase will now be in Arizona and we will be RVing up in Idaho in the summer. 

We were totally unprepared for the ultra quick sale of our home so my Idaho 'studio' is all crammed into this little 5 x 8' red trailer.  It was JUST suppose to have my studio furniture and all my Art supplies. 

When I opened it to try to get to my supplies I found that a couple of  'extras' had been stuffed into the trailer on packing day.  :/ This chair and bookcase, a large 3-panel wood louvred screen, assorted totes with household goodies, and . . . my husbands chain saw.  (No, I'm not into tree stump carving . . yet.)  Some of it I could maybe understand, but the chainsaw was a puzzle.  It surprised my husband too, because that is not at all where he thought his chainsaw was!  Anyway, there is some definite straightening around in my little 'studio on wheels' before I can actually tackle a paintbrush, paint and canvas.  But, I will persevere! :)  (It will definitely be nice to get down to my 'real' studio in Ajo.)

Here are two pieces I don't think I have shared yet.

SPRING RUN-OFF

6 x 6 Acrylic over an Acrylic Pour

CARROT TOP AND FRIENDS

12 x 12 Acrylic over an Acrylic Pour

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

I love this sky.  The dark against the light, and that shot of white cloud that looks almost like lightening coming down and caressing the top of the hill.  But, most interesting, is the Pine tree.  That perfectly symmetrical shape, standing like a lone sentry guarding the darkness of those hills.

But wait.  Here they go trying to fool us again.  What Pine tree is ever that so symmetrical?  What Pine tree stands alone like that, towering over its cousins who already tower over everything else?  Oh yes, it's the 'Cell Pine'!  I applaud the effort, but do think they could have been just a wee more creative in dressing this 'tree', and the many others around like it.  The beauty of nature is in its imperfections.  

There is beauty and humility in imperfection.

~  guillermo del toro

See you soon!

Charleen

DARK, DARKER, DARKEST...

"I will love the light for it shows me the way,

 yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars."

~og mandino

'HOW THE DARKNESS COMES'

12 x 12" Acrylic over an Acrylic Pour

For more information Please visit my Website at

www.charleenmartin.com

Follow me on Facebook at 

Charleen Martin Studio

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 CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

I took this over by Sprague Lake, WA.  Fortunately this was to the east of us and we didn't have to drive through it.  Oh, yes, and there's a nice big fish quietly swimming out of the storm on the right.  (I understand this is a good fishing lake:)

Have a great day!

Charleen

A LITTLE FAMILY DISCORD MAYBE?

Family, Family ...

THE FAMILY TREE: 
"SO TELL ME, WHY IS IT WE HAVE THE BARN BUT THEY HAVE THE COWS?"

12 x 12" Acrylic on textured canvas

www.charleenmartin.com

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

Evening sky over western Montana

A school of fish with the sun bouncing off the water?

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"I am in love with Montana.  For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love, and it's difficult to analyze love when you are in it."

from 'Travels with Charley' by John Steinbeck

Have a great day ...

Charleen

STORMY SKIES AHEAD ...

'AND THE STORM APPROACHED
FROM THE WEST'

8 x 8" Acrylic over an Acrylic Pour

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

There is a storm a comin'

The adjective I think of when looking at this is Power.  There's such strength in those clouds.

If you want to see the sunshine, 
you have to weather the storm.
~  frank lane

QUIET GOES THE NIGHT ...

BUT COLORFUL GOES THE DAY  ...

A little over a year ago we were down in Nevada and took a day trip over to Red Rock Canyon, about a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas.  We are back down here again and decided to take another trip to Red Rock yesterday.  Last year it was a bright sunny day. Yesterday was very overcast. I couldn't believe the difference in the colors of the rocks between the two years. Yesterday the colors seemed so much more vibrant.  I think last years Sun may have washed out the colors a wee bit. Not so yesterday.  See for yourself ...

 You can't see them, but these wonderful, face-painted, old crags are filled with hikers and rock climbers.  A great place if you like doing either.

 This is just one of a few houses painted/stained to match its surroundings.

Amazing isn't it.

I took a few photos of the Joshua Trees in the area. I love their crazy poses.  I will try and include more of  those in my next blog.  

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And, now some other color.  Just can't compare to Mother Natures Palette ...

QUIET GOES THE NIGHT

9 x 12" Acrylic on wood panel

https://charleenmartinfineart.com

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

I see Ol' Woman Wind huffing and puffing and making more clouds for me to imagine with.  :)

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Rocks and water, etc. are words of God.  And so are men.  We all flow from one fountain Soul.  All are expressions of one Love. 

John Muir

Charleen

THERE'S 'MAGIC' IN THE AIR TONIGHT ...

MAGIC ...

I don't think this is quite what Phil Collins had in mind when he wrote his debut solo 'In the Air Tonight'.  In fact, after reading about it, the song was all about the anger he felt after a divorce from his first wife in 1979.  Amazing example of how channeling our emotions, even negative ones, can be put to work in such a positive way. 

'HEARING THE SOUNDS OF MAGIC IN THE NIGHT'

12 x 12 Acrylic on Wood panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

This is a little different for me.  The background, once again, was just a randomly painted background which sat for several weeks before deciding to add the tree.  Added the tree and the Moon and then it sat for a few more weeks before the barn and the Buck were added.  I have painted deer before but its been ? years.  Almost all the animals I've done in recent years have been Collage.  Way more whimsical.  This was a fun change.

And ... just in case you want to hear a little music here is the link to Phil Collins singing 'In the Air Tonight'    Phil Collins   (sorry, you'll have to skip the ad to get to this)

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

This Sunset was taken by our daughter from atop the Space Needle in Seattle.  I don't really see any 'shapes' in this one (ok. maybe a 'Goldfish' or two up there' :) but I do see the Skyline itself on fire, or ... is it more like a Tsunami of fiery waves starting to crest on the Horizon!  Can Supergirl stop them?!  O.K. I see at least a short story happening here.  Better go while I'm in the moment.

A little humor.  (And I do mean little.)  For some reason I could not get the photo below enlarged without distorting the whole thing so it was not readable! :/  A friend sent me this (Thank you Darlene!) and she thought we might enjoy it.  Just in case you can't read it, here it is ...

I wonder if clouds ever look down on us and say

"Look. That one is shaped like an Idiot!"

Your smile for today.  :)

Charleen

ONE POPPY. TWO POPPIES. THREE POPPIES ...

O.K. THERE'S A WHOLE POPPY DANCE TROUPE!

POPPY'S DANCE TROUPE

10 x 10" Mixed Media on Canvas

This is on a Mixed Media 'Crackled' background.  It just called out for the Poppies to come dance.  :)  And while they are up dancing the folks in the home below are all sound asleep. 

'THE NIGHT SINGS BRIGHT'

6 x 8" Acrylic on Wood Panel

BOTH OF THESE PIECES CAN BE FOUND ON MY WEBSITE HERE

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NO CLOUDS TODAY ...

I thought I would share this photo with you.  For Mothers Day my Grandchildren bought me a Butterfly Net ... as a joke.  Catching Butterflies has not been a recent pastime of mine.  Last night I went out to the garage to turn off the lights, (that someone else in this family had left on), :/ and I found this little Hummingbird flying wildly around.  He kept banging into the lights, probably thinking they were daylight and a way out.  No, I couldn't turn off the lights because this is a newly finished garage and I have no idea where all the light switches are.  (I know, sounds strange, but there is nothing in this family that runs the gamut of normal. :)   At that point, I happened to remember the Butterfly net, so I went, retrieved it, and then proceeded to climb over piles of wood, tools, ATV's, and an un-hooked up Wood Stove trying to catch this little guy with my nifty pink Butterfly net.

But ... as you can see, I did catch him.

I think the poor little guy (or gal)  was so traumatized by the whole thing that he stayed in the net for 2 or 3 minutes before flying off.  I was able to bring him outside, lay the net handle across the arms of a Patio chair, run inside for my camera, and get this photo before he said "Enough!" and off he went.

Moral of the story ... if your children or grandchildren buy you a Butterfly net, don't laugh.  You just never know ...

Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.

~ Salvador Dali

see you next time

Charleen

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE ?

MORE FROM THE FAMILY TREE ...

'THE FAMILY TREE:  TOGETHER IS OUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE.'

12 x 12" Acrylic on Textured Wood Panel
For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

HEAVEN GOES BY FAVOR.

IF IT WENT BY MERIT, YOU WOULD STAY OUT

AND YOUR DOG WOULD GO IN.

~  Mark Twain

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

WELL ... I DO KNOW I'M BEING WINKED AT!  :)


CHARLEEN

QUIET.

NO PEN, NO INK, NO TABLE, NO ROOM, NO TIME, NO QUIET,

NO INCLINATION. 

~  James Joyce

EASILY IN TO THE QUIET

6 x 6 x 1.5" Acrylic on Textured Canvas

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

I do have to say, I like the Textured look much better in real life than in a photo.  Photos just can't do it justice. 

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

Let's see now ... How about a pair of Sunglasses, a grove of trees, and a 'Shadow Bunny' ~ you know, one of those little animals you make with the shadow of your hands and a light shining on the wall.  :)   Can you find them?!

Charleen

WE'RE ON THE WAY ...

IT'S REALLY NOT MUCH OF A WALK ...

'BETWEEN YOUR HOUSE AND MINE'

6 x 6 x 1.5" Acrylic on Textured Canvas

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

My granddaughter Kaitlyn took this photo.  She is often seen these days carrying a camera around as part of her photography class.  She knew I was doing a 'Cloud of the Day' for this  Blog so she took this great photo for me.  I should have asked her what she saw in it ...  :)  I see ... an Angel, leaning gently forward, holding a baby.   :)

ALL GOD'S ANGELS COME TO US DISGUISED.

~  James Russell Lowell

Charleen

CAN YOU TELL I'M THINKING WARM WEATHER LATELY?

O.K.  SPRING IS OVER ... now I'm on to Summer!

'DOWN PAST THE SUMMER HOUSE'

6 x 6" Acrylic on Textured Canvas

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

'PEOPLE DON'T NOTICE WHETHER IT'S WINTER

OR SUMMER IF THEY'RE HAPPY.

~  Anton Chekhov

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

I see a little piggy laying on his side ... soaking up the rays.  :)

WE ALL HAVE AUDIENCES, BUT NOT QUITE LIKE THE SKY DOES ....

WE ALL WATCH THE SKY ... whether we are daydreaming, following the birds, checking on the weather, counting the vapor trails, or ... the Stars.  The sky is like a giant walk-in closet for our dreams.

'THE SKY HAS AN AUDIENCE'

12 x 12" Acrylic on Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

This is actually last weeks Full Moon taken at about 10 o'clock at night from my back yard.  I see an Ethereal feeling of Possibility, Floating ... through a Sea of Whispers and Wishes. 

'THE MOON IS A FRIEND FOR THE LONESOME TO TALK TO.

~  Carl Sandburg

Charleen

JUST WEST OF ...

FOREVER ...

'JUST WEST OF FOREVER'

6 x 8" Acrylic on Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

I had fun with this abstract Piece.  I painted the background without thought to the finished Piece and then 'let it speak to me.'  I can feel myself there. 

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

I love this shot.  I took it two nights ago and every time I blinked there was a whole new 'scene' in front of me.  This reminds me of an angry storm coming in and huge waves crashing against the shore.  The tree is just watching ... and waiting.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN ONLY LEARN IN A STORM.

~  Joel Osteen

Charleen