I DON'T REALLY GAMBLE (EXCEPT ON LIFE AS WE ALL LIVE IT) BUT IF I LIVED NEAR A RACETRACK I'D PROBABLY BE IN TROUBLE!

'AND THE RACE IS ON'

12 x 12 Acrylic

I have been to the races a few times when I lived down in Boise, Idaho.  I usually rooted for the Horse whose name I liked best, or the color of the Jockeys uniform.  That's how I know I'd be in trouble.  I don't think you usually win that way! :(

This was a pour that couldn't get away.  The horses were 75% there.  I just needed to figure out where I was going with them.  The Raven, of course, needed to dive in to the race.  Not sure who won this one.  

The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

~  john steinbeck

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I shared the top Cactus below in my recent Newsletter but thought I would share both here today.  After all, I'm back in Idaho and we don't have Cactus up here, so I won't be able to share photos of cactus again for the next 6 months.  Anyone out there that wants to use these as a reference for a painting, please feel free.  

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CLOUDS OF THE DAY . . .

These four photos are all one Sunset taken the week before we left Ajo.   This was our last drive out into the Desert before we left and it certainly didn't disappoint us.

Charleen

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21 GOING ON 30 ...

THE CHALLENGE IS OVER ...

I didn't quite make 30 paintings.  There are 21 here.  I actually did a few more but they just didn't make the cut.  For numerous reasons!  :0  But I also did work on 2 more larger pieces that still aren't finished so I have to say it was an accomplishing month overall.  Practice makes perfect they say ... and while I know I'll never see perfect, it's a good goal!

Seeing all these together does anyone see strengths, weaknesses?  I'd love to know your feelings.  All critiques help one way or another.

Now I have to get serious about work ready for Entrée Gallery.  They open Mothers Day weekend and my work has to be there mid April.  Time goes by so fast I know I'll blink and  the work will be due ...


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CLOUDS OF THE DAY ...

I think this is my friend the Smurf back, but from a different angle.  I actually see a Scorpion coming out of the top of the photo ... ready to attack.  Macabre :/  It reminds me though of a painting I did years ago for a Race Car driver.  He raced a Fiat and the cars name was 'Scorpion'.  He wanted me to paint his car on the racetrack.  He provided a photo but it wasn't a very good one of the track.  The day he came to pick up the painting I was definitely anxious to see his reaction.  I knew it was either going to be really good, or really bad.  No in between.  He opened up the covering and I watched the look of stunned silence take over.  there were a few tense moments (in a roomful of people!).  Then he looked at me and said "This is great!!"  He loved it.  It was a real 'Phew!' moment.  I had painted his car in the claws of a Scorpion ...

Don't know that I would do that today ...  :)

LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES ...

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

'OH . . . HAPPY DAY !'

     

'Oh . . . Happy Day !'                                'To Market we go . . .'   

Mixed Media Collage on Wood Panel

These are two new pieces which just headed north to Entree Gallery in Nordman, Idaho.  A little different size for me ~ 6 x 12"  I enjoyed this format so have another set this size started.  I think I'll call this series 'The Backside of Life!'  :)

I have a Gallery Show opening on July 11th at Angel Gallery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho so I am busy trying to get work done for that.  Below are some new Necklace Designs I've recently finished for the Show.  They will be accessible through my Website until about July 7th.  After that they will have to be purchased through the Gallery.  

    

Cherry Blossom Moon

More information on this Piece is available HERE

Royal Princess

More information on this Piece is available HERE

(A full size view of this is shown on my Website ~ just scroll down a bit when you get there)

Jwahir  (Golden Woman)

This Piece is not on my Website yet.  (It should be on by this evening)

To go to my Website Please Click HERE

I am now back in Idaho full time.   Missing my Friends in Wenatchee but it's great to be closer again to Friends and Family here.   And, I don't miss that 4.5 hour drive each way if I wanted to come over here!   I think of the days when I traveled and did Art Shows around the country and didn't think anything of driving 8~10 hours in a day to get to my destination.   I always enjoyed the traveling to the Shows ~ it was the drive back home after the Shows that wasn't as much fun!  By then, you are tired and just want to be home.  :)

Charleen

SOMETIMES WISDOM PASSES SILENTLY ...

Did you ever think later 'Why didn't I understand that at the time?'  Because, sometimes that little bit of Wisdom passes right by us without us even realizing it until later.  At least I know that has happened to me . . . Sometimes the lessons take a little time to arrive!  These figures are part of my WiseWalker series which is all about age and wisdom.

The WiseWalkers:  Sometimes Wisdom Passes Silently

18 x 24" Mixed Media on Wood 

For more information Please Click HERE

Two new Necklaces recently finished are below . . .

Black Magic Woman

More information can be found here on my Website

The Cats Meow

More information on this Piece can be found Here

If you remember, the last Blog I mentioned a great little Restaurant and Wine Bar in Wallace called the Fainting Goat (scroll down to read about it) and I included some photos.  I said the only one I didn't get was the Bathroom.  Well, I've been back since and did get a photo of the sink I mentioned ~ the one made out of an old wine barrel.  Photo is below.  :)

I decided I was going to start a Blog about our new adventure of building our home in Mullan.  I have it set up and titled but nothing posted yet.  I get a lot of questions about 'how's it going?'  so I thought this would be a good way to answer the question and at the same time keep a chronology about the ins and outs, the ups and downs, and what I sense is going to be a comedy of errors!  So, when I get it together I'll post a link on here and if you are interested you can Click on over.  :)

til next time . . .

Charleen

I'VE BEEN BUSY ON THE JEWELRY SIDE OF MY STUDIO . . .

Entree Gallery up in Nordman, Idaho opens for the Season this weekend.  As I think I mentioned last time they will be carrying my work again this year. :)  I brought all my Paintings up about 2 weeks ago but didn't realize they also wanted to carry my Jewelry  : /  so I've been busy working on that since I got back from our Washington 'home' (the RV :) on Monday.  I was able to get the Jewelry mailed off yesterday afternoon so it should arrive today, in time for the opening in 2 days.  I had several new Pieces done for my Show in Wenatchee (which wound up being cancelled at the last minute) but needed more.  Also, some Pieces needed to be different for Entree.  I don't know whether I over think things too much (well, actually, I know I do ~ really bad habit most of the time!) but depending on how the Jewelry is going to be displayed, makes a difference on what I like to send.  I feel Presentation really makes a difference in the sale of the work.  Some pieces just really need that Black Velvet Bust (like I use in most of my photos) to make the work stand out and some Pieces are fine and look great draped across a piece of Driftwood or a Glass Block.  I had too many of one kind . . .  :)  

Here are some of the new Pieces I did for Entree Gallery.  I'll put the link to each ones spot on my Website below it if you would like further information.  

                     Shima  (True Intentions)                                                 Adisa

                    Shima:  http://charleenmartinfineart.com/workszoom/1460962 

                    Adisa:   http://charleenmartinfineart.com/workszoom/1462136

       

                         The Angels Trumpet   (Sold!)                    Just Call me Fun!

            Just Call me Fun!:  http://charleenmartinfineart.com/workszoom/1455319

There are several more which should make it to my Website over the next few days.

On the highway between Wallace and Mullan, Idaho there is a bright Yellow Fountain sitting all by itself in seemingly the middle of nowhere.  It was designed and built out of old Mining equipment by a gentleman whose name was Elmer Almquist.  It is therefore called 'Elmers Fountain'  :) The Fountain runs continuously all year round ~ even in the middle of Winter when it turns itself into the most marvelous ice Sculpture.  We seem to be always hurrying past so unfortunately I didn't think to stop and take any photographs until most of the ice was gone.  Usually it's frozen all the way to the top and you don't see any of the Fountain itself, just this magnificent ice creature standing by the side of the road.  (You'll have to use your imagination!) Below is one of the photos I took about 3 weeks ago.  The History of it is somewhat interesting so if you'd like to read more about it you can click on the link HERE.

Elmers Fountain

That's it for my Geography/History lesson for today.  Maybe it will inspire you to build your own Fountain or . . . then again, maybe not!  :)

Charleen