HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

We had a tiny, little baby snow here last night.  Almost embarrassed to say it snowed compared to what is going on over in the Midwest and East Coast. I grew up in New York (in the city and then on Long Island and then back to the city when I got married) and we always had 'Snow days' (no school) when I was growing up there.  Winters with lots of snow seemed to be the norm then.   My parents bought a house out on Long Island in a development of all the same houses.  The floor plans were the same in every house but you could make a few changes to make them 'your own'.  My Parents opted for a Gable roof instead of the 'comes with' Mansard roof which was so popular then.  They also put in a Fireplace which was an extra.  That Fireplace kept 3 families warm during a Blizzard we had one year when the power went out for almost a week.  A huge Sleepover (a total of seven children and 6 adults) and no school for 4 days.  By the time it was all over I'm sure the other two families were wishing they had thought to add fireplaces when building . . . and I'm sure my Father was thinking the same thing! :)

I signed up to do Leslie Saeta's '30 Paintings in 30 days' Challenge again.  This time I hope to be able to keep up a wee bit better than last time. So far I am right on.  Below are a few pieces that I've done for the challenge.  These are all just tiny paintings ~ 4" x 4".  I thought that would be easiest since I still need time to work on my larger Collages/Paintings and my Jewelry.  These all come with a nice Black, Bamboo Style Easel for Display.  I'll show one on an Easel. 

The Peace Rose

4 x 4" Acrylic on panel with Stand

 

Day One: I started off with a Collage the first day.  I did one the second day too and then switched over to painting.  Decided I might like that better for such a small format.  Although, I had a Greeting card company for years and all the designs (3-dimensional Collage) had to fit in to a 4 x 5" area so you would think I would be use to that format. : /

 

 

 

A Few Stems

SOLD

 

Day Three:  I love Geraniums and had recently done another small piece to show in my Studio.Gallery.  That one had quite a few more stems.  That sold right away so decided to do another for this Challenge.  I posted it on to the main Challenge page which allows you to also post to Facebook at the same time.  It wasn't on there an hour when I was notified that it had sold.   And actually, the person that bought it is a friend I have not seen for many years.  She saw it come through on Facebook and knew she had to have it!   It was such a treat to get the notification that 'A Few Stems' had sold and then see her name attached to the purchase.  :)

 

 

 

 

One Tree Hill

4 x 4" Acrylic on Wood Panel

 

Day Eight:  This is todays entry for the Challenge.   A little more abstract and a little more color.  :)  I'm not going to put all eight on here.  If you want to see any of the others or get more information on these three pieces just Click here to go to my Website.  

 

If you would like to see some of the other work by Artists in the Challenge just Click Here.

 

I've also managed to get a few new Necklaces done since my last Blog.  Below are two pieces recently finished.

 

 

KAYA  (14002)

 

 

 

Mossy Agate with Pyrite, Antique Pewter Spacers and Pewter Focal. 

Closes with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.       

For more information you can Click Here     

 

and

 

 

 

By the Stream  (14001)

 

Matte Wild Horse Jasper, African Trade Beads, and Brass Heishi.  

Closes with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.     Because the Stones are matte, this is a very striking, but subtle piece.  

For more information you can Click Here.

 

 

I've also managed to get a few backgrounds done for larger paintings.  And, that's exactly where I am going now . . . into the Studio to work on them!

 

 

The Best of Health and Good Wishes to you all in this coming year. 

 

Thank you for your support and Good Wishes and being part of my life.  I appreciate being part  of yours even if it is just you taking the time to read my Blog or my Newsletter (or both!)  As many of you know, as an Artist, even the slightest bit of support can make a major difference in what we do.  Actually, I guess that holds true for all of us in everything we do . . .

 

Charleen

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Color for these Gray Gloomy Days . . .

Unfortunately, that's how it is in this neck of the woods . . .  But maybe this will brighten things up!

 

 

 

'Still Life with a Happy Attitude'

 

12 x 24" on 1.5" deep Cradled Board

 

This is the new Collage I mentioned in my last Blog.  It's been done, just hadn't had a chance to get it on here.   This was a fun piece to do, and kind of a take-off on a piece I did many years ago.  That piece was called 'Still Life with Attitude' and it is now in my card line and is one of the more popular Birthday cards I have.  I'll show a picture of that below so you can see the similarities (and not!). 

 

For more information on the above piece Please Click Here

 

'Still Life with Attitude'

 

(The 'Happy Birthday' was not on the original, just the card face)

 

Below is a new Necklace I just finished ~ which I wore the day after I finished it because I didn't have the tag done yet for display, and it was bought right off my neck!  Actually that's happened twice in the last couple of weeks.  :)

 

 

'Cat's in the Cradle'

 

SOLD  ~ Thank you!

(you can see more information on this piece by Clicking Here)

 

Have a Great Weekend!

 

                                                   Charleen

 

The Holidays are in Full Bloom. . .

and Christmas Eve is in just two weeks.  This year has gone by so fast.  But then they do say that happens and the older we get the faster it goes.  I'm a Believer . . .  :(   I still have some shopping to do that has to get wrapped and sent off from the West Coast here, to the East Coast.  Think that may have to be on my 'Today' list.  Sometimes I can be a Procrastinator but I think with only two weeks left until Christmas I should file that word away! 

These two pieces are my latest creations. 

Purple Passion  (13054)  ~ 

 One of a kind . . .  Two Strands in a Beautiful combination of Lavender, Purple, touches of White, and a Deep Honey.  Consists of Matte Purple Agate, Brass Heishi, Oval Fire Crackle Agate in shades of Purple, White and Honey, African Trade Beads, Natural Disks of Rough African Amber and a large Lavender/Purple Agate Focal.  Fastens with an easy/open close Toggle Clasp.  Comes with matching earrings with Surgical Steel Ear wires.  For more information Please Click Here.

Red Love  (13053)  ~ 

Various sizes and shapes of Luscious Red Coral, Silver~plated Heishi, Aluminum tubes (Kenya), Pewter, Large Carved Silver~plated Rounds and Silver~plated Happiness Charm.  Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.  This looks nice with Toggle Clasp in front and Charms as a Focal point.  For more information on this piece Please Click Here.

This is a fairly new piece that I don't think I've had on here but I just love the green of the Large 'Watermelon Agate'  Beads in this so I thought I would share it.  I named it  'Are there Seeds?'  :)  This piece is Sold.

I have a new Collage I have just finished.  I'll try and get that on here in the next couple of days.

"Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well".

                                                             ~ Mark Twain

HELLO TO DECEMBER . . .

Well, we've had our first bit of snow here and the temperatures will be down in the single digits this week.  I guess we can no longer avoid the fact that winter is here.  I kept thinking maybe it would forget about us but guess that isn't going to happen!  : /

For those of you that receive my Newsletter, you will have seen the Necklace below already.  I wanted to include it here though for those that haven't signed up to get the Newsletter (you can sign up here if you'd like).  It's a new piece but I've had the Elephant for years.  I wish I could find the source again ~ I would love to get more Focal pieces along the same lines.

'YAMUNA'

 Turquoise, Carved Red Coral, Patikan Wood, Red ‘White Heart ‘Beads, African Turquoise, Black Matte Glass, Silver-plated African Trade Beads, Red Coral, and Silver-plated Carved Beads.   The Elephant Pendant is very lightweight so, despite its appearance, this is not a heavy necklace.  Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.  For more information on this piece Please Click Here

"Uh oh.  Mom's not going to be happy . . . "

Another from my 'Little Sisters' Series.  This is a 10 x 10 Hand~painted paper Collage on a wood panel.  It comes nicely framed in a 1.5" deep Matte Black Frame ready to hang.  For more information on this Please Click Here

This is an older piece, long ago sold to it's 'Forever Home'.   I thought it might be a good reminder though, that 'having to juggle everything' doesn't have to be a way of life ~ especially during this very hectic (for many) Holiday Season.  I'd say make sure you take time to stop and smell the Poinsettias but, unfortunately, they don't have a 'fragrance' (at least that I can tell) so I guess it can be the Pine wreaths, trees and Garlands that are everywhere.  :)   Of course, I want you to know that I'm writing this for my own benefit as much as I am for anyone elses.  Maybe even more!

                                             Charleen

JUST A REMINDER . . .

Bahari  (Ocean)

For more information on this Piece Please Click Here

Hi!  Just a reminder for those of you that are close.  Tomorrow (Sat.) is the Open House at my Studio in Cashmere, WA.  It is from 12~5.  I'll be the one with the Coffee and Cookies.  With 4 Wineries, a Distillery and a Brewery in the same Building I thought maybe the Coffee would be a good idea!  

Horan Estates Winery is also having their 'Re-Grand Opening' to celebrate their new space.  They were previously in the space I am in and moved next door to a bigger Room.  As part of their Celebration they will be giving tours of their Production Facility which is in the same building.  They will also have a live remote from Radio Station Sunny.FM.  

Hope to see you there!

Charleen Martin Studio.Gallery

207 D  Mission Ave.

Cashmere, WA

Open House  Sat. Nov. 16th  12~5

It's 'that' time of year....

Here we are ... almost mid November already.  On a personal level, I haven't done much to get ready for this, very soon to be, Holiday Season.  (Unlike my Sister who texted me 2 days ago to let me know our gifts were in the mail and not to open them until Christmas.  Argh!! Her Christmas card  ALWAYS arrives the day after Thanksgiving!)   Anyway, in thinking about the Holidays I thought it would be nice to make it easier for people who like my work to be able to purchase, or gift the ability to purchase, my work.  So . . .

At my Studio.Gallery I offer Gift Certificates but I had not thought about adding the capability to purchase them to my Website until just last week.  I'm not sure why it took me so long.   It seems like it would be an obvious addition.  :/

For those of you interested in just seeing what I've done, or for those of you possibly interested in purchasing one (They'd make great Stocking Stuffers! :)  you can Click Here
 and see what's what.  They are currently available in $25.;  $50.;   $75. and $100. amounts.   Different amounts can be done by Special Request.  Any questions, Please do let me know.

In the meantime, a new Necklace . . .

Peju

Apple Coral, Black Matte Glass, Bone, African Trade Beads and Brass Heishi.  

Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.

For more information on this piece Please Click Here

and another . . .

Wajanja  (Clever)

Apple Coral, Black Matte Glass, Bone, African Trade Beads and Brass Heishi.  

Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.  Comes with matching Earrings.

For more information Please Click Here

 and a small 5 x 7 . . .

Gypsy Rose

This is waiting for a Frame so it's not on my Website yet.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention something about the devastation that just took place in the Philippines.   Know that my Thoughts and Prayers go out to all those affected by this immense tragedy.  And, a Special Thanks to all those who pack their bags, leave their Friends and Families behind, and selflessly go help every time one of these horrific tragedies happens.  My admiration for you has no end.

Talk to you soon . . .

Charleen

I'M STILL THINKING PUMPKIN . . .

Did you know that Orange is considered the color of' adventure and optimism'. It is also considered a warm and inviting color so it is said to get people, thinking, talking and moving.  (And obviously eating too, since so many of the restaurants use it in their decor!)   

And,  it isn't just 'Orange' anymore.  Now it's either a Popsicle, Marigold, Orange Sky,  Blood Orange, Pumpkin, Yuma, Squash, Burnt Orange, Cadmium Orange, Tangerine, Carrot Orange, Mango Tango, Red Orange and Orange Red, or even a Crayola 'Jersey Shore' Orange!  Personally I'd rather see a 'Scandal' Orange ~ can't you just feel the heat from that already?!  :)

I guess I got off on that tangent because several of my new pieces of Jewelry fall into the 'Orange Family'.   I'll let you decide what name you want to give the shades of orange in these pieces.  For me, I'm still thinking Pumpkin . . .

Serenity

Carved Jade Focal complimented with Beautiful ‘Barrels’ of Striped Agate,  Averturine, Pumpkin Matte Glass, and African Trade Beads.  Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.

Serenity Earrings

(yes  . . . different but the same !)

Serenity Bracelet

Striped Agate, Averturine, Pumpkin Matte Glass, Carnelian and African Trade Beads.  Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.

For more information on any of these pieces Please   Click Here