DAYS 6 AND 7. HERE, THEN GONE.

Here are Day 6 and 7 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge  ...  

'FIRE IN THE NIGHT SKY'

6 x 6 Acrylic on Wood Panel

More information on this can be found HERE

“The fires of night
through distance dance
ghosts who still know how to sing” 

― Tamara Rendell, Mystical Tides

'JUST SMELIN' THE FLOWERS'

6 x 6 Acrylic on Wood Panel

More information on this can be found HERE

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And here are our clouds for today.  I took this photo down in Coeur d'Alene a few weeks ago.  I can see an Eagle in flight but ... the soft Blues and Pinks make me just want to wrap a newborn baby in a quilt of these clouds.  :)

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

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS ...

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS .... ... And all through the house, the dogs lay content, but ... the power is out! Still presents to wrap, Blog to write. Will it all get done? I am beginning to doubt. The computer won't work, the snow's getting deep. But ... the fireplace glows and I'm warmed by the heat. As I put pencil to paper and start to write, I give thought to the fact that I am safe on this night. More fortunate than many, I give Thanks for the gifts ... of Family and Friends, and Freedom of Faith. I give Thanks ... that I am able to give Thanks.

MAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BRING YOU THE GIFTS OF FAMILY, GOOD FRIENDS AND GOOD HEALTH. MERRY CHRISTMAS! Charleen (If you also receive my Newsletter than I apologize because you will have already seen this.  But, Time is short and I am literally all 'wrapped up' in Christmas!  :)  Please consider it 'Double the Wishes!)

SURE YOU DID ...!

MORE FUN FROM THE FAMILY TREE SERIES ...

THE MARRIED COUPLE:  "I'M TELLIN' YA ... I TOLD THEM 6'OCLOCK."

6 x 8" Acrylic on Textured Wood Panel

  

YUYMA

Here is another Piece I did during my little siege getting ready for the Studio Tour.  This Piece is still available through my Website.

To see either of these Pieces Please click HERE

THE SECRET OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE REMAINS A SECRET

                  ~ Henny Youngman

Have a great day !  

Charleen

EVEN THE SKY KNOWS WHEN TO BE SILENT ...

I love my quiet times.  There are days when I'm in my Studio and the Music is going non- stop.  But then, there are those days when the only sound you might possibly hear is me talking to myself.  Yes, I do.  I even answer myself at times.  After all, who is going to answer you truthfully if not yourself?  :/  I think Silence is a gift we give ourselves.  We just have to make sure we listen, in order to really appreciate it.  

 AND THE NIGHT ANSWERED IN SILENCE

Both of these are from from the Jacklin Art Center 'Studio Tour'.

NATIVE DANCER

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of Silence.  See how nature ~ trees, flowers, grass grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence ... We need silence to be able to touch souls.

~ Mother Teresa

More information can be found on both of these pieces at  www.charleenmartin.com

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

FROM THE IDAHO STUDIO of CHARLEEN MARTIN

NOVEMBER ... DECEMBER... AND THEN ...

Can you believe we will be writing 2015 in just another month?!  I can't.  I'm still ignoring the fact that Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  I should be 'in the kitchen' preparing things that I am suppose to be bringing to my daughters for dinner tomorrow and and yet, here I am, pretending I still have a week or so to go!

We have been so busy dealing with the house (in case you have missed it before, we are building a new home and it has been one fiasco after another!)  and all of the mis-adventures that have gone along with that, that the time has just flown by.  I will receive my first Christmas card on Friday.  It will be from my Sister in Florida.  I don't know how she does it, but every year hers is the first card we receive and it ALWAYS comes the day after Thanksgiving!  I'm not even acknowledging Thanksgiving yet so you can imagine where I am on Christmas. Three months away or so??

I have managed to get some time in the studio but I have to admit it has not all been productive.  A lot of looking at blank canvases only to have them yell "What?!  Do I even have to come up with the ideas for you??!!"  Not good.  I keep thinking that once we are in the house (was suppose to be October~ now 'maybe' February) things will calm down and I will be able to concentrate  more on my work.  Of course then, there will still be a lot of painting, re-arranging , etc. etc. to be done.  If I could, I would clone myself, but knowing me, we'd argue as to who gave the orders and nothing would get done!   :/

I did get the three Necklaces below done . . .

FIRE IN THE HEART                                               MOROCCO

FOR MORE INFORMATION

You can Click HERE for 'Fire in the Heart '                You can Click HERE for 'Morocco'

AUTUMN CREEK

Please Click HERE for more information

'JUST ONE A DAY'

This is just a small 4 x 4" that I did (along with a few others) that went to a Christmas Show at the Moses Lake Museum and Art Gallery.  It's on my Website HERE

DOWN AT COPPER CREEK

This is a 5 x 7" Acrylic on Wood Panel.  

For more information on this Piece Please Click HERE

Since this is so close to Thanksgiving, and these Blogs sometimes sit in a que for a while, you may not receive this until after Thanksgiving.  And besides, you will probably have much better things to do tomorrow anyway than read this Blog (!) I hope you had a Wonderful Day and 

My Very Best Wishes for a Safe and Healthy Holiday Season

                                                                              Charleen

SEPTEMBER IS BREATHING DOWN HARD . . .

Fall is already in the air here.  The flowers have lost their 'perkiness' and the nights are just a bit cooler.  Now when I take my dog out for his last evening jaunt it is no longer light out (so the 'jaunt' is MUCH shorter!)  I'll be very happy when we are able, once again, to just open the door to our home and I can say 'go potty' and know he'll take care of business.  :)  Of course, the way the progress on the house building is going who knows when that might be!  If you aren't up to date on all the shenanigans at Camp Dunmovin just click  HERE  and you can get yourself up to date.  We keep hearing things like 'I'm so sorry you are going through all that with your house, but . . . it really is funny!"  :/ 

I did this little cartoon for my monthly Newsletter which just went out.  It's how I'm feeling! (The Crazy part!)

(If you are interested in reading the Newsletter you can Click HERE.  There is a short humorous story that goes with all this.  The link will take you right to it.)

Because we are in the midst of building (well, . . . on good days) I haven't spent as much time in the Studio as I would like so no big projects have been completed.   I did manage to get two new Necklaces done which are shown below:

   

SAND WHISPER                                               TRIBAL MIST

You can find more information about both of these pieces by Clicking  Here

This is a little fun 4 x 4" that I did.  It's called 'Moon over Caponata' because there is a great Eggplant Appetizer called Caponata.  Progresso used to make it years ago but I haven't seen it in the stores in ages.  I usually now make my own.  I thought I would include a Recipe just in case any of you are interested in trying it.  If you like Eggplant this is really very good.  It can be served either hot or cold ~ I usually serve it cold. :)

   

MOON OVER CAPONATA

Caponata Recipe

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, cubed
• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 ~ 14.5 -ounce can diced tomatoes in juice with Italian seasoning
• 3 tblsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tblsp drained capers
• 1 tblsp dried basil
•  Dash Lemon Pepper

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add eggplant, onion, and garlic cloves. Sauté until eggplant is soft and turning brown, (about 15 minutes). Add diced tomatoes with juice, red wine vinegar and drained capers. Cover and simmer until eggplant and onion are very tender, stirring occasionally (about 12 minutes). Season Caponata to taste with salt and pepper, dash of Lemon pepper.  Mix in Basil. Transfer Caponata to bowl. Serve either warm, at room temperature, or cold. Caponata can be made 1 ~2 days ahead. Cover and chill.  Serve with toasted sliced baguette.

LOVERS AT NIGHT

6 X 6 Acrylic on Wood Panel.  Comes Framed.  For more information Please Click HERE

Don't be afraid to sit at the front row of your life . . .

                                                                                  ~  Unknown

til next time . . .

Charleen

'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

SPRING IS WHERE EXACTLY . . . ?

I don't know how it is where you are, but I woke up to snow this morning.  Not much, but enough that the grass was white and the puddles from the rain yesterday were covered with ice.  Not what you would expect from the 3rd week in April.  Of course, I am back in Northern Idaho  (this week!) so it is a little cooler here than over in Wenatchee where my husband is enjoying warmer temperatures and a little more sun.  

It has been a crazy month to say the least.  Last I wrote we had (unexpectedly) sold the house.  I know, you put your house on the market  ~ isn't that what you want to happen?!  But we just thought for sure it would take a lot longer than it did.  Wrong.  But we did manage to find a 'little' apartment in Wallace, Idaho, which is not too far from our property.  By little I mean that, besides the apartment, we have 2 more storage units filled to the brim with most of our furniture and belongings.  The apartment is comfy, and I think you could even say 'cozy'.  But, this at least gave me a place to set up my studio.  :)  So, for now, we are both taking turns commuting back and forth between Wallace and Wenatchee (the W's).  This is my week in Wallace.  Next week I'll be in Wenatchee for a small show I have opening on Friday, May 2nd showcasing my Jewelry.  

   

Wallace is a place of Beautiful old Doors with lots of leaded Glass  . . .

and also just 'old doors'  :)

            A little bit of trivia . . . Wallace is where the movie 'Dante's Peak' (with Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton) was filmed.

In between the packing, moving, partially unpacking, and setting up of my Studio, we also had to go back over to Wenatchee and dismantle my Studio.Gallery in Cashmere.  I hated to have to do that.  I wasn't there that long, but I did make some nice Friends while there.  Of course, how do you not make friends when the Businesses all around you are hosting Wine Tastings all day long!  

Once I got my Studio set up I started working on pieces for Entree Gallery in Nordman, Idaho.  They will be opening for the Season on Mothers Day weekend and my work is due up there this Friday.  On Saturday I will start working on some new Jewelry pieces for my Show.  I don't have any Jewelry to show on this Blog but should have some new pieces by the beginning of the week.

This is one of the new pieces that will be heading to Entree Gallery . . .

Sharing the Bench

14 x 14 Mixed Media Collage on Cradled Wood Panel

Sides are finished and comes ready to hang.

For more information on this piece Please Click Here

I think the Gallery situation in Wallace is somewhat . . . how can I best describe it  . . . 'creative?'  :)

  Happy April!

JUST A COUPLE OF OLD CRACKERS . . .

If you get the opportunity please join me at Angel Gallery of Fine Art on Friday evening, Sept. 14th for the opening of my show there. 

'Just a couple of old crackers . . . '  whilin' away the time.  I thought they turned out looking like a couple of grouchy old coots ~ you know the kind ~ rough on the outside but old softies on the inside.  :)

Colorful and fun, this 6" x 6" x 1.5" deep piece can stand or be hung.  To purchase, or for more information, please go to my Website at  www.charleenmartin.com