FROM THE IDAHO STUDIO of CHARLEEN MARTIN

“Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, 

In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore."

Edgar Allen Poe  (The Raven)

GUARDIAN OF HISTORY

6 x 6 x 1.5"  on Textured Canvas

This is Texture, then Paint, then Collage and then the Raven painted on top.  The background has an irridescent glow to it. 

I love painbting Ravens.  There is just so much personality involved.  

For more information on this Piece Please Click  Here

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

Michaelangelo

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

AND THE NIGHT WATCHES OVER THE FIELDS ....

                                                WAITING.

'AND THE NIGHT WATCHES OVER THE FIELDS ... WAITING.'

12 x 16 Acrylic on Textured Canvas

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

Have a great week!

Charleen

I often think that the night is more alive
and more richly colored than the day. 

~Vincent Van Gogh

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?"

RED STEPS OUT. THE BLONDE STAYED HOME.

'RED STEPS OUT'

Above is 'Red Steps Out'.  This is a new Piece I just finished and packaged to go up to Entree Gallery for their Seasonal Opening on Mothers Day.  I'm the Blonde.  :)  And, yes, I've been home, diligently working in my Studio trying to finish what needs to be done.  I've actually had a good past few weeks.  Everyone here knows I'm a little under the gun trying to meet my goals for work to take up there so they've pretty much left me to myself.  

This is another new piece ...

It's called 'THE ISLAND LIFE' 

For more information on either of these Pieces Please Click  HERE

And ... a large Collage that I just finished ...

THE BLUES SISTERS: MONDAY MORNING CHAT

This is a 24 x 30 Collage on a Wood Panel.  More information can be found HERE

And then there is this funny little Guy.  He's just 6 x 6" and one of a few smaller Pieces that I managed to get done.  I've had that background for ages.  I guess it was just waiting for the right smile to come along.  :)

"STOP AND SMELL THE  ... UH ... DAISIES"

More information on him can be found HERE

Tomorrow I head up to Nordman to bring my work to Entree Gallery.  It's about a 3.5 hour drive from here so I usually make a two day trip out of it and stay with friends that have a beautiful home on the Pend Oreille (pronounced Ponderay)  River.  Yesterday and today were absolutely gorgeous out and, of course, the next two days are suppose to be rainy.  Guess I'll just have to put my Rain Smile on.

Charleen

"THE WAY I SEE IT, IF YOU WANT THE RAINBOW

 YOU GOTTA PUT UP WITH THE RAIN."  

                               

                                                  ~  Dolly Parton

WHERE'S THE EGGS?!!

In the fridge where they will probably remain until tomorrow when I take them out and make Deviled Eggs for Sunday!  :/  No little ones here or close by anymore so I haven't colored eggs in years.  I keep thinking about it.  Seems like it should still be a tradition ~ just for the fun.  I actually did see something online the other day.  It was a new, (to me) old way of dyeing eggs.  You cut small pieces of old silk scarves into small squares, (thrift store finds work) wrap the eggs in the silk and then re-wrap in white fabric (like gauze), tie with a twist tie, and drop (well ... not literally drop) into a pan of water.  Add 3 tbsp. of white vinegar and then boil for 15 minutes.  Take out, let cool, and unwrap.  Voila!  Colored Eggs without the mess.  

I actually hadn't intended to go into all that detail but maybe someone just might want to try that.  If you do, Please let me know the results.  :)

AFTER AN EARLY SEPTEMBER RAIN

6 x 6" Acrylic on Textured Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

I've been busy working on mostly small pieces like above.  I think I have enough done for my upcoming showing at Entree Gallery.  Now I have to get serious and work on some bigger pieces.  I've been enjoying the small pieces so much that it's hard to get my mind wrapped around 'bigger'.  There is that 'immediate gratification' with the small works.  Done in a day ~ you get to see the results immediately. It can become addictive and maybe that is why there are so many Artists out there now with Daily Painting sites.

THE NIGHT WHISPERS IN COLOR

5 x 7" Acrylic on Textured Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

This is a little larger Piece recently finished ....

INTENSE EXPECTATIONS  (SOLD!)

12 x 12" Acrylic on Cradled Wood Panel

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL EASTER ... Full of New Beginnings!  

How do Bunnies stay healthy?

Eggs-ercise!     (Sorry, I couldn't resist!  :)

til next Time ...

Charleen

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!