IT'S ABOUT TIME, SHE SAYS . . .

I know, it's been awhile.  I sort of took the summer off.  Not actually planned, it just seemed like there was a lot going on and I didn't get into my studio nearly as much as I would have liked to.

Part of my 'excuse' was a 6 week camping trip through parts of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.  It was a great trip. We got to see family, friends, and a lot of very beautiful country.  We didn't get to see everyone, or everything we wanted to, but we felt fortunate to see who and what we did.  

I thought I would share a few fun things from the trip with you this time. 

'THE LOOK'

6 x 6" Acrylic on canvas

(I both gave, and received this look, numerous times on this trip!)

  

'POTATO FAIRY' 

A potato plant I found in the woods was hugging a Cactus, 'Eves Pin', a Desert plant that is originally from the Peruvian Andes. This was in amongst Pines, Alligator Junipers and who knows what else.  Wouldn't the history of how these two met be interesting.  :)

'THE GATHERING'

Doesn't it look like she is just extending her arms, offering  protection.

Chiricahua, National Monument,  AZ

'THE BUTT TREE'

'LOVERS'

New Mexico trees just seem to be very 'expressive'.  ;)

HUBCAP ART

How about a little Hubcap Art from Silver City, N.M. 

This planter wound around a small corner park outside a Gallery downtown.  Note reflection of the building across the street in the last hubcap.

'THE SKULL'

Sounds like a 60's TV Show.

This what welcomes you to town in Hall, MT.

(the whole tree is actually covered in various and creepy (sorry, no getting around it . . . just creepy!) skulls.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Dolores, CO.  I'm not sure what this is going to be when it grows up.  Truck? Bus? Train?

UH . . . O.K. I GET THE HINT!

No, he really didn't want his picture taken!

Devils Canyon Campground, N.M

CREATE

We took a hike in an almost empty campground up in the mountains outside of Durango, CO.  This little gem was on a path down to the river.  No one was around, just a little 'creative' surprise, someone left for others to enjoy.

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

CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

This was the sky that welcomed us back to Ajo the day we arrived home from our trip.  Take your choice . . . rain or sun?  Obviously the Weather Angels were having some discord as to whose turn it was to plan the weather for the day.

Unfortunately we were turning into the rain. 

'The Beauty of Butterflies

is that they allow us to dance with them'

4 x 4" Mixed Media Collage

I hope the rest of your day is great!

Charleen

SOMEONE TOOK GROUCHY PILLS ...

"WHO ATE HIS CRACKERS ...?"

12 X 12" Mixed Media Collage on Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

photo  ~ Indy Behrendt

I had to take my work up to Entrée Gallery in Nordman last Friday.  They will be opening for the Season on Mothers Day weekend.  It was an absolutely beautiful day for a drive (good thing, as the drive from my home to the Gallery is a 3 hour drive each way! :)  The sky was a beautiful blue and the clouds put on a spectacular show.  A friend came along for the ride and she and I had a great time stopping, photographing and laughing about 'what we saw' in the clouds.  Indy is a photographer (and Silversmith) in real life so she had a good eye for all the sky action.  She took the above photo.   Can you see it?!  The Terrier ... running.  :)  She saw it immediately.  I have to admit I didn't see it until she told me, but of course now I can't see anything else!

“A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.”  ~  Robert Benchley

Charleen

DAY 8 IS LITERALLY FOR THE BIRDS ...

You thought I was kidding?!  

'CONVERSATIONS IN TIME'

5 x 7" Mixed Media collage on Wood Panel

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

I decided to take a break fom Painting and do a few Collage pieces.  The Air Mail stamp is an oldie (7 cents!), sent to me by a friend whose Father use to collect stamps.  The seal on the lower left is an actual seal from a property deed. The 'Post Card' is a copy of one from the 40's and the Asian Newspaper is about 30 years old from San Franciscos Chinatown.  


          No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.

                                                                             ~ William Blake

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

I see Godzilla.  :/

Charleen

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

A LITTLE WHIMSY TO END THE YEAR ...

'WATCH OUT BOYS ... THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN'

6 x 6 x 1.5" Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

For more information on this piece Please Click HERE

Cloud of the Day ...

I have to admit ... this one is a little hard to see.  But, I do see a Cat, lying down with its tail up in the air.  :)   There are a lot of formations in this photo so you may do better than me.  

I want to say Thank you to everyone for your support this last year.  It's so great having friends 'out there' ... some of whom I've never met.  I want to wish you all a most 

HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

TIL NEXT YEAR ...

CHARLEEN

" Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions.                        Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual."                                                                                                  ~  Mark Twain

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

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

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

FROM THE IDAHO STUDIO of CHARLEEN MARTIN

"WHADDA YA LOOKIN' AT . . .?

  

WHERE DID YOU THINK THE TERM COWLICK CAME FROM ?"

Like my Rooster in my last Blog, this is another small 4 x 4" Acrylic and Ink on Wood Panel.  This was a fun piece to do ~ he is all personality.  This comes with its own metal stand for Display.  For more information on this little guy Please HERE 

For some reason, when I did manage to get into the Studio it was mostly a month of animals.  I spent a lot of time up at our property again where we are building our house/cabin so time was, once again, limited in the Studio.  I didn't get to my Jewelry side of the Studio at all this month.  I hope to get that corrected by next week!  :/

FLIGHT

10 x 10 Mixed Media Collage on Textured Wood Panel

I did the background for a Still Life, put it aside for a few weeks and when I came back to it I decided it needed an extra 'oomph' so I added the splash of Turquoise.  I loved the effect but at that point all I could see was a Bird ~ the Still Life was no longer an option!  :/  

For more information on 'Flight'  Please Click HERE

But, I did get this one Fall Piece done  . . .

REMEMBERING OCTOBER

10 x 10" Mixed Media Collage on Wood Panel

For more information on  'Remembering October'  Please Click HERE

Even on gray days, there is just so much Beauty around us.  Hard not to be Thankful . . .

A TALE OF TWO SEASONS . . .

Fall Colors with the silence of the Summer Gondola ride peeking from behind.  The Gondola at Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho (not far from where I live) is the longest Gondola ride in North America ~ over 3 miles long.   (Your trivia for today :)   This goes right over the top of the Medical Building where my Doctor is.  

Here's another view from across the road.  Pretty how it disappears right up into the Fog.

And, just for HALLOWEEN

     

'WHAT'S OCTOBER WITHOUT THE CROW AND THE PUMPKIN?'

4 X 4" Acrylic on Wood Panel

Comes with it's own stand for Display

For more information Please Click HERE

TRICK OR TREAT!

CHARLEEN

A LITTLE OF THIS, A LITTLE OF THAT AND A FEW FALL LEAVES . . .

This is the City Park in Mullan where we are building our house (In Mullan.  Not the Park!  :).  All 1/2 block of it.  :)  Most of the Trees in the area are in the Pine family so we don't see a lot of color as the Season is changing.  That's one thing I do miss about living on the East Coast.  This time of year it's just a glorious splash of color.  Of course, in another month or so most of our trees will still be green and not dancing naked in the Falls winds . . .  :)

Things have been moving a lot faster this last month on our new home since the company that was building the outer shell of it has moved on.  That's a very good thing ~ their Time Management (or lack of) issues put us about 2 months behind where we should have been at this point.  It does mean though, that I have been spending a lot more time up at the property this month with some of our other Contractors.  Also needed to be there for some of our bigger deliveries ~ like the Refrigerator, Washer/Dryer, etc., etc. :)  These are currently sitting on our patio since we are so far behind on the inside.  The walls where they are to go are only studs at this point.  :/  So what that means, here and in the present, is that I have not gotten a lot of Studio time in the last few weeks ~ and that also means not a lot of new work to show you.  It's been difficult switching gears back and forth.  I constantly find myself, while in the Studio, thinking about what needs to be done at the house, and then while at the house, I'm thinking about the fact that I AM NOT IN THE STUDIO!  As the saying goes . . . You can't win for losing . . .  :)

Here is some of what I did manage to get done . . . 

KINSWAYA

This is predominantly a blend of Gray Feldspar and Crazy Lace Agate.  You can find more information on this piece by Clicking on the Link below:

http://charleenmartinfineart.com/works/1580824/kinswaya

A LITTLE BARNYARD ATTITUDE

This is just a little guy ~ 4 x 4" and he comes with a Black Metal, Bamboo Style Stand for Display.  Those are the Kanji Symbols for Attitude up in the left.  I did this in a combination of Ink and Acrylic (used more like watercolor)  on a white wood panel.   I have a small set-up of Acrylics I can bring with me in our RV so I was experimenting up at the property while waiting for the electricians.  :)  For more information Please Click Below:

http://charleenmartinfineart.com/works/1580289/a-little-barn-yard-attitude-14071

MOROCCAN SKY

This is a blend of Brass and Batik-ed Bone Beads that are all from Africa.  It is complimented with Buri Nut Seeds (South America) and Patikan Wood  (Phillipines).  Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.

http://charleenmartinfineart.com/workszoom/1580888

'IF I HEAR THAT ONE MORE TIME . . .'

5 x 7"  Acrylic on Wood Panel.   Hmmm . . . talk about attitude!  :)  He comes framed and ready to hang.

For more information on this Piece, Please Click Here:

http://charleenmartinfineart.com/workszoom/1581165

That's it for tonight.  If interested you can go to the Blog I am writing about all the escapades happening during the construction of our house.  It's been quite a ride so far!  You can find us at  www.theadventuresatcampdunmovin.blogspot.com

'Today I'll be happier than a Bird . . . with a French fry.

'til next time . . .

Charleen