'CONTEMPLATE . . . WHAT ?' Mixed Media Collage from the Studio of Charleen Martin

 

 

 

'CONTEMPLATE . . . WHAT?'

 

14 x 14" Mixed Media Collage on cradled Ampersand.

Acrylic, Paper, Gold Leaf

 

For more information on this Please Click Here

 

This is my Day 29 entry in the '30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge'  This took me more than a day to complete so I worked on it along with smaller pieces for the Challenge.  I came away from the Challenge knowing that I will NOT participate in another one.  For some reason I found out that my brain goes into overload on something like that  :/  Should be simple but . . .  

 

I wrote more about the 'why not' in my Monthly Newsletter that just went out today.  If you are interested in reading my thoughts, and don't already receive my Newsletter, you can click HERE to go to todays letter..

 

I'm just going to post 2 small Abstracts that I did as part of the  Challenge.  The first one is another little 4 x 4" entitled  'Little Mesa' 

 

 

LITTLE MESA

 

This comes with a small Black Bamboo style easel for Display.  For more information on this piece Please Click Here.

 

 

This next one is a little larger at 6 x 9"  . . .

 

 

'THE PASSION OF FIRE AND WATER'

 

This comes framed in a nice Matte Black 1.5" deep Metal Frame all ready to hang.  (It looks much better in person.  Here it looks like the Texture just gets in the way but in reality it really enhances the deep Colors.)

 

For more information Please Click Here.

 

 

 

 

These are two new pieces I also included in my Newsletter.  I'm just going to refer you HERE for more information.  I've been at the computer all day and my eyes are about to go on strike!  This will give you information on these two pieces plus several more new ones.

 

Thanks for following my work and . . . my ramblings!

Charleen

 

Sign up to receive my Monthly Newsletter Here.  :)

 

 

 

www.charleenmartin.com

THE END OF WEEK TWO . . .

Actually, we are on Day 16 in the '30 in 30' Day Challenge.  So far I've only missed one day ~ we were out of town over one weekend.  We drove 4.5 hours from cold and sunny to this:

  

 

We (very) recently purchased property back in North Idaho with the plan of building and eventually moving back there.  The only thing on the property at the moment (besides the snow) is this old, pale green garage which is in very sad shape.  So sad that it doesn't even have a front garage door anymore. :(   So . . .  the trailer you see has the 'necessities' in it to at least put a temporary fix up until the weather warms up and we can start to give this old guy a second shot at life.  Under normal winter conditions there actually should be a couple of feet more of snow by now.   The winter has been so mild here in the Northwest though that snow is at a premium.  We have a little more snow on our property than the neighbors because the City Plow Trucks have scooted all the street snow onto two sides of our property because there is no house on it.  :(  That, of course, means that it will just take us a little longer to actually get on to our property in early Spring . . .

 

 

 

I Feel Like I'm being Followed

4" x 4" Acrylic on Wood Panel with Display Easel

For more information on this piece Please Click Here

 

 

 

We finished week two a couple of days ago.  I knew I had the missing day but when I went back to see what I had posted on what days, I found that I posted the same piece twice on 2 different days  : /  OK . . . I know I have a few cracks in the old brain cement starting to edge their way in, I just didn't realize I was getting THAT bad!  I guess that's what happens though when you paint a couple of pieces ahead (allowed) and then can't remember what you posted when.  I do have to say that what I have found with this challenge is, that while the discipline of getting into the Studio everyday is great, I'm not necessarily painting my best.  (Did I just say that out loud?)  :/  Oh well . . . maybe it's good therapy!  :)  Instead of doing what I like to do, and letting the ideas come naturally, I feel like I'm forcing myself to come up with 'something' everyday.  Something that will take me just a little while, so I can then get back to doing 'what I like to do.'  Part of it too, is probably the 4" format that I chose to work on for the challenge.  I feel like I immediately limited myself to what I could do.  I could change the format and go a little larger but I'm not sure that would solve 'my' problem.  The main part of the challenge was to just get into the Studio, paint and have fun so . . . I made the decision to paint everyday but not necessarily strive to finish any one piece.  Whew!  Pressure off!  :)

 

Below is what I worked on today.  I had the background complete and the chalk drawing done.  I inked in the drawing just a bit ago and will start on the flowers when I am done here.  I need to get a January Newsletter out soon and hope to have this done to include.

 

 

 as yet, untitled . . .

 

Here's a new Necklace recently done :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mojito  (14006)

Blue Jade (dyed), Vinyl Heishi (Kenya), Aluminum (Kenya), Hand-painted Recycled Krobo Glass (Ghana), and African 'White Heart' Beads.  Fastens with an easy to open/close Toggle Clasp.  For more information on this piece Please Click Here.

 

 

(I did try to enlarge the last two photos but for some reason either Blogger or my computer won't let it happen . . .  )

 

 

 

"I must have a prodigious quantity of mind;

it takes me as much as a week sometimes to make it up."

              ~  Mark Twain

 

 

Have a great week!

Charleen

 

 

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