Martha's Art

New Year

Looking forward to having time to paint and draw this year.

Nuther one

Trying out the new camera on sunsets

People say he looks like he's smiling.

Another one with the new camera

It's a Fujifilm 12x optical/10 mg. I am liking it so far. Still lots to learn.

Got a new camera

 

Good lights and darks on this one. We were a little too much in the sun.

food blogging

I don't usually food blog but I couldn't help but take a picture of this. New green beans, onions and side

pork with new potatoes.

Logo

I did a logo for the drop in center which will open here in Helena. The sign on the front of the building shows it.

This was a fun and rewarding project. I hope to teach art lessons there eventually.

Martha

The Grizz

I lost my grizzly totem that sat on my computer for years. I do not know what happened to it or where it could've gone... My friend, Raven O'Keefe, at http://www.ravenokeefe.com kindly made me a wool grizz. I love him. Thanks Rave!!!

Here's a pic of him in the window.

Art Cards

They're over there to the left. These are fun to do. 2.5 x 3 inches. Watercolors. I have a bunch more of them in colored pencil, but I haven't scanned them yet.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

My friend Jode sent this...

 1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is
 the ultimate anti-depressant.

 2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about
 what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to.

 3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My
 purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for______________'

 4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is
 manufactured in plants.

 5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
 salmon, broccoli , almonds & walnuts.

 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

 7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
 the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest
 your energy in the positive present moment.

 8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
 college kid with a maxed out charge card.

 9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

 10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

 11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

 12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree
 to disagree.

 13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

 14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
 journey is all about.

 15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

 16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will
 this matter?'

 17. Forgive everyone for everything.

 18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

 19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

 20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

 21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
 Stay in touch!!!

 22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

 23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I
 am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

 24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

 25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll
 be smiling before you know it.

Summer's almost over

Well, it looks like I'll be back in the house most of the time. Drawing, painting, and writing on the blog. There's still gardening to be done. A lot of good recipes for the fresh veggies. I'm hoping to add a group of links to gardening sites.

CLICKING ON THINGS

If you click on the little pics on the left, you will be taken to galleries of more of my art work.  If you click on the picture of Patrick, a larger shot will show up.  That was his, "Mom, do I have to have this on?" look. 

Martha

It's summer now

I haven't posted in awhile, and I have a huge need to be outside.  I'll be back when it gets too hot out.

This is a pic from Bob250 on flickr -- an awesome photographer and I'd really like to draw it. Buffaloes are fascinating to me.

Later.

Snow in June

Patrick has to have his parka on today. It's really cold.  My garden is probably not going to make it if this doesn't stop.

Hillary

From the photograph of Hillary Clinton speaking in

Manchester, New Hampshire, July 13, 2007.  Taken by Roger H. Goun.  I like this pic because it is looking up at Hillary, rather than straight on.

Creative Commons Attribution License.  People can't seem to get enough of the politicians this time around.

2008 more politicians

Obama from the senate.gov site. He always looks so happy. Make me wonder. It doesn't seem quite right.

2008 Politics

A few little pics I did for politic's sake.  This drawing came form a photo by Wigwam Jones, on Flickr.com under a Creative Commons License.  Taken 1-12-08 in Clawson, Michigan.

Wow...it's been a long time

Since I posted anything.  I've been busy with my job.

I'm beginning a new series of drawings.  Stay tuned.  They should be up within a few days. Political pics of past presidents.

Several opportunities have come my way in the art field and I'm hoping to have some works in progress "WIP'S" to show soon.  This is exciting for me!

The new dog is doing well, but has gained a buncha pounds.  People keep feeding him. 

Politics -- comments are welcomed on the political races going on across the country.  Interesting, no?

Martha

Another sunrise picture.  It's hard to get the camera to catch the beautiful colors.  Lots of great sunrises lately.

A new year

A sunrise pic. 

This is JD

This is JD.  Our new dog.  He's a fox terrier.  First terrier we've had and he's really energetic and loving.  Never had a lap dog before and now we are knowing the meaning of those terms.  He wants to be held a lot.  When he's out in the yard he zips around really fast, exploring, and checking things out.  We got him at the pound.  His family moved. Without him.  Not sure how people can do that.  He is on our bed.  He also likes to go in the car. He is learning to play ball.  In one word to describe him -- fun. :)

Click on those little thumbnails

If you click on those little thumbnails over to the left, you can see some works I've done.

Me Me

Karen from over at KarbonKountyMoos has tagged me. 

Here are the rules. 1. Link to your tagger and post these rules. 2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird. 3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them). 4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

Here goes:

1. I grew up in Anaconda, and didn't realize how much ethnic differences are interesting and important until recently.  A lot of our neighbors spoke different languages. Foods were really good.

2. I have travelled very little.  We went to Alberta, I've been to the Pacific Ocean 3 times, and some of the western states. I love to camp out.

3. My garden is very important to me.  We are still eating zuccini and home grown herbs.

4. Did I mention I'm a licensed clinical professional counselor? Adult foster care provider. <Adult...that's right.>  And serve as vice president on a board that works toward bettering mental health services for people in Montana.

5. I like to get up really early and paint in my newly established art studio <downstairs> before everyone else gets up.

6. There is a book by Kent Nerburn, called Neither Dog Nor Wolf, but I cannot finish it because it's too good.  I do not want it to end.  Check it out. It's a realllllly good book.

7. We got swim passes to the Broadwater Athletic Club -- it's a hot springs and it's really nice.  Spent a couple hours there yesterday. sigh.

Raven http://ravenokeefe.com/ how about adding some facts about you?

Ana http://www.tirolese.com/ another great artist friend?

Linda ripl1946@aol.co  who doesn't have a website, but can post here?

Stay Tuned

I am working on some new paintings.  One of some horses -- in OIL.  I haven't done oil painting for about three decades.  And some of marmots, elk, birds, etc.  The new art room has been really great.  It grounds me and is worth it's weight in gold.  I do not have to search in nooks and crannies for my supplies and boards and pencils. 

COMMISSIONS FOR CHRISTMAS ACCEPTED FOR ABOUT ONE MORE WEEK!

Martha

New watercolor

This is a little watercolor I did today for the Drawing Event on Wetcanvas.  It was fun.  Time limit of two hours on it.  I need to tweak it a little bit.  She has pig tails in her hair and they don't show too good. 

Recovering from the turkey.  We had spaghetti today. :)

Coming up on Christmas

I have taken a few commissions and would be willing to take a couple more.  If you want them by Christmas please contact me soon. 

Here's a little pic of Smokie from Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere.  I don't think I had ever drawn a picture of a cat.  Was encouraged to give it a try by the portrait group.  Another one is coming along. Thanks to Sarpy Sam for the great reference picture.

Close to being done

Attached are the close-to-being-done paintings for Gwyn and her Mom. See the Gallery on the left for the finished paintings. This was such a fun thing to do.  I hope to get to do this type of art work again.

Some pics

These were some roses we got for my Mom's 84th birthday on the 16th of the month.  They were pretty and smelled great. I like this picture.

Buttes at Simms WIP

This is what my friend Jen calls the Throw Up Stage of a painting.  It is not at all how I want it to look, but it's basic format is down. 

At this stage I take quite a while to figure out what to enhance, what to push back, and what colors need to be brightened or darkened.  I LOVE the sky in this one -- and will get all the white whispy things out of it.  There is nothing like a summer day in Montana with the sky so perfectly blue.  The moon is visible in this a little. <I guess that's why they call it the Big Sky State, huh?>

Gwyn, I am not clear on what's going on with the bottom of the picture -- is that drive through gate or is it some kind of animal pen or just fencing on the corner of the land? Or?  Could you please e-mail me.

The other pictures are blocked onto the boards.  The one of the pond is started.  Also in The Throw Up Stage.  Once I get it a little further along, I'll post a WIP <work in progress> of it, too.  What a beautiful place. 

I'm saving the portraits til last.  Cause their really fun. :)

Martha

Portraits

I am doing some portraits that were won in an auction at the NAMI dinner.  Should have some works in progress <WIPs> posted in the next week or so.  Stay tuned! They are lovely children portraits and some gorgeous landscapes. Can't wait to get started.

Bigger

Click on pictures to make them bigger.  Also, check out the Albums in the side bar.  Feel free to leave comments.

Uh oh

I accidentally ruined the multi-buffalo drawing.  I'll have to start a new one.  It is Spring, however, my favorite time of the year.  Been getting the garden ready for planting and the greenhouse up and running.  So far we have baby tomatoes, spinach, herbs, and a few other things. Flowers.  We've also had two foster people come in and two go in the last couple months.  Lots of work there. I'll be posting some new works shortly.

More and more and more buffs

I guess I was so busy in March, I didn't post anything.  Here's part of what I'm working on. I am also working on a portrait of a little girl. 

I guess I missed March.  Whoops.  It was a busy month with a lot of meetings and a lot of appointments.  April should be better.  I'll post what I'm drawing again shortly. 

More and more buffs

I am beginning a new buffalo drawing.  The last one was too much fun.

It's snowing and that means it's a good time to be drawing. I'll post works in progress in the next few days.  Otherwise they're known as WIP's.

Stay tuned. 

P.S.  If anyone has a specific drawing they want done, let me know. 

I think it's done

Dunno what else to do to it.  This was fun and the really expensive pens were worth the price.  I love them. Looking for something to draw or paint now.  Going to Great Falls today.  Snowy roads. It's really beautiful out. Later Gators!

Still working on the buffs

I'm still here.  Just busy doing work.

These are floating buffalo at present.

Today, as we get ready to go on respite and to attend a meeting tomorrow, I will try to work on anchoring them to the ground with some indications of foliage. 

My friend Raven, over at http://www.ravenokeefe.com/ thinks this looks a little Charlie Russell'esque.  Little does she know that when I was a kid, I copied most of his pictures with crayons or pencils. 

We'll be gone for three days. Later! :)

Kate Feels Left Out

Kate wanted her picture on the internet too.  She thinks she's a really pretty dog.

Moving on

This is out dog Clark.  He's snoozing by the pic.  He's 16, but still thinks he's about 4. 

More Critters

A tiny part of what I'm working on now.  More WIP's <work in progress> to come.  Using these pens for the first time.  I've had them for about a year -- and finally found a subject I thought would be good for them.

closeup

Here's a closeup of the old boy.  I'll do the details on him when I get "fresh eyes".  Thanks for all the comments and critiques from everyone. :)

Only the little tiny details left

This has taken a long time to do, but I've enjoyed every minute of it.  I still need to add a few more details to the elk.  Will put it away for awhile and come back with fresh eyes. In a week or two. 

Thanks to CBC for the reference picture.

Comments and critiques welcome as always. 

Back to the Elk

Here's the pic of the elk.  It's nearly done.

How does this look?

This is oil pastels -- I think it looks okay.  Can't decide what to do for a background.  Or if it needs a background.

Comments are always welcomed. 

A better year is coming.  I can feel it!

Things are going well

Things are going well.  I should have oodles of time to draw and paint. Feels luxurious!

Art Contest

A Singular Creation is a one of a kind art community that provides many wonderful resources for artists such as: a unique online gallery, free art opportunities newsletter, art contests and shows, art forums for critique with a user gallery and much more.

I'm entering this art contest.  Probably won't win, but at least I'm making the effort.  There are three categories, Artists, Art Galleries, and Art Businesses and Services.  I haven't entered an art contest since Junior High. Kinda fun!

Pretty Child

Doing another drawing of a little girl.  A beautiful child.  This is a hard one as this child succumbed to meninghitis a couple months ago. Tragedy. So far I've only done the line drawing you see on the left.  Not sure what medium to use for this one.  Will probably experiment until I find the right one. Such a gorgeous little girl.

Crayons

Wendy, a dear friend, has sent an e-mail about a great crayon artist.  He does wonderful work.  Here's a link.  http://www.themastercrayonartist.biz Really great art works.

You'll all realize, I'm getting out the crayons now.  Posting what I come up with later.