"The Guardian", Original Mixed Media/Encaustic by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin and Stockholm Artist, Jenny Grant

The Guardian

I've said this before, but honestly, I can't say it enough. I am so absolutely blown away that I get to participate in a group where the artists have the biggest hearts on the face of the planet. They work so hard to produce work that will touch lives and make a positive difference in our world. I'm always honored that I get to work alongside them and I never want to take this opportunity for granted.

This month, our group, the Creative Kind, has chosen a very special charity called Saving Innocence. Here is a little bit about what this organization does:
Saving Innocence provides escape from trafficking for child victims of sex trafficking 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Using a highly relational and collaborative approach, we give children on-the-ground help exclusively in the U.S. by utilizing strategic partnerships with law enforcement, social service providers and schools, while mobilizing communities to prevent abuse and increase neighborhood safety.
"I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back."

This is a very special piece that will be available next week for our Creative Kind Auction on FB. My dear friend, Jenny Grant and I collaborated on this piece when she was visiting from Stockholm, Sweden. Since we are donating to such a special charity this month, Jenny and I are excited to share this piece and make it available. The title is “The Guardian”. It is mixed media with a thin layer of encaustic. I hope you take the time to join us this month on the 28th and 29th...let’s raise some money to donate and raise awareness for this worthy cause. 

Here is the link to our group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/541216752946993/

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"Make Memories", Original Encaustic/Mixed Media Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Make Memories

This is my latest Encaustic/Mixed Media piece.  The background was done with layers of hand-painted papers and inks.  The trees were created with acrylic ink, as were the leaves around the trunks.  After the encaustic wax was added, I scraped in additional branches and marks.

I decided to add these words to it, "make memories".  I see so many people on their phones and just not making connections face to face anymore...truth be told, myself included.  Even at events, vacations, or something as simple as spending time with family, some moments, some memories, are lost because we are trying to capture it in a photo on our phones.  I wanted to remind myself not to take these moments for granted, to actually live it and cherish the memory of it.

This piece is available.  It is a small, 8 X 8, that I've framed in a simple, black floater frame.  Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions, comments, or are interested in purchasing.  

Today, I encourage you to live in the moment and make memories!

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"Peace Among the Trees", Original Mixed Media/Encaustic Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Peace Among the Trees"

This is my newest piece.  It was created after learning about a dear friend who was recently diagnosed with a devastating form of cancer.  Sometimes, after news like that, there are no words.  There was and is so much emotion and so many stages of "grief" after getting the news.  My friend is strong and courageous.  Her roots are planted deep and she will fight this with all she has.  She is walking through this battle with grace and fortitude.  She is truly my hero and my inspiration.  

 

This piece was created with may layers of painted papers, paints, and inks.

It was finished with a layer of beautiful, dreamy, encaustic wax.

This is a small 8 X 8 piece, which I have finished with a simple black floater frame.  It is available.  You can send me an email here with any questions, comments, or if you are interested in purchasing.

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Singing a New Song, Original Mixed Media/Encaustic Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

Singing a New Song

One day it happened.  The seemingly never-ending fog began to clear.  The tiniest rays of crystal clear sunlight began to peak through the clouds.  Slow and uncertain, she decided to be brave and she began to allow the cracks in her heart to allow the light in, a little at a time.  It had been a long, cold season.  As she closed her eyes and breathed it in, she could feel her heart beginning to sing a new song.

This piece has a vintage hankie as the background.  Vintage French ledger paper was added, as well as a photo transfer that I embellished with paint and inks.  I added leaves to the branches and finished it with a layer of encaustic wax, which gives the entire piece a “vintage” feel.

This piece is sold, but commissions are welcome.  I would love to hear from you!  Feel free to email me.

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“Chicks Rule”, Original Mixed Media/Encaustic Painting by Colorado Artist, Donna L. Martin

"Chicks Rule"

This is a little encaustic piece that I just finished.  It has lots of layers and subtle colors.  The "nest" just appeared...I really didn't plan that at all, but I love those kinds of surprises.  Of course when the nest appeared, I had to add a bird.  I also added part of an old deed dating back to the early 1900's.  You can see part of it by her left arm and shoulder.

Here you can get a little bit of a closer view.  The flowers were made of plaster.  I also used some stamps to embellish the piece.  Some of the stamping is more visible and some not so much.

I am in love with the process of using wax (encaustic).  You can put so many rich layers and symbolism in a piece.  And above all, it's kind of a mystery as to what you will end up with!

This little piece is reserved for an online auction that will be happening in May.  I welcome your comments and would love to hear from you!

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Encaustic Art Painting, "Grow", by International Mixed Media Artist Donna L. Martin

This is the second Encaustic painting that I've done.  I used bright, happy colors of blues, pinks, reds, and greens. I embedded words from a vintage book that I found at an Antique store. It reads, "When she awoke she knew that she need not be afraid of growing up." The painting is done on birchboard. It turned out to be a happy little painting!

Encaustic paintings are really very easy to take care of and very durable. It should be handled relatively carefully to avoid scratching the surface and should not be placed behind glass. It can withstand temperatures up to 150 degrees, but should never be left in a hot car or outdoors in the sun. Encaustic paintings also cannot withstand freezing temperatures. If you are displaying encaustic in a window with direct sunlight or near a heat source, just be sure and test it out to make sure the surface of the painting does not soften. Encaustic paintings can also be buffed on the surface with a soft cloth to restore the sheen to the wax. With all this being said, Encaustic paintings are incredibly durable and archival. Excavation of ancient encaustic paintings have shown no signs of mold, cracking, flaking, or fading. Unlike other mediums, encaustic paintings are resistant to moisture, acid, and mold.

This painting measures 6X8 and is available for purchase.
$60/free shipping in the United States.

Contact Donna at: saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com to purchase.

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