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I so enjoy Mary Oliver's poetry. I find solace and inspiration in her words and use them as inspiration for my abstract watercolors on yupo. I recently painted several new pieces that are now available in my shop. Enjoy these explorations in colors, shapes, and movement.
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I had the pleasure of teaching my "Abstract Watercolors Inspired by Poetry" class to a group of women who are connected through their work and interested in arts and crafts. We connected through Google Meet and had a fun time exploring watercolors and reaching poems by Mary Oliver. We discussed inspiration and how to turn it into unique paintings. Below are a few examples of the completed works. If you are interested in doing a workshop with your business or a group, contact me for details. My workshops are tailored to your group's needs and are an affordable way to come together as a community.
I have been an art class instructor at VisArts for a few years now. It's a wonderful organization that brings a great variety of arts to people across skills, backgrounds, and ages. And now ... drum roll! They have a shop that features the artworks of its instructors. Take a look at the lovely profile I have and shop my original watercolors on yupo here.  I joined the Washington Water Color Association and now have the pleasure of showing my watercolor "A Deepening Sense of Connection" in their online exhibition, "Life's Simple Pleasures." This show goes through October 31, 2020. See it here.  How lovely is this customer review! I am so grateful. Barbara says, "I recently bought one of Martina's scarves, and I am so happy with it. The design is beautiful, and the colors are bright. Martina is a gifted artist-designer with innovative designs and breathtakingly alive colors. She has a great way of using different elements and putting them together in a design. I can't wait to buy another one of her scarves!" Shop my RADOST scarves here.  Fresh from the studio ... “I Am Safe" ... The feeling of being safe in the inner world and the outer one. The sense of direction amidst constant change. Flow of energy that's moving forward and towards good things PM me to purchase this original watercolor on yupo. $105, 10” x 8” matted and framed in black, plus tax & $9 shipping in the US). Series: "Visual Insights into Life's Beauty."  It's always fun for me to know why my clients are buying my RADOST scarves. These two beauties are a gift from one sister to another. Each scarf has a name and comes with a short story of inspiration. I so enjoyed packaging them and adding a note card before shipping them out to their new home.  Collaborating with Gayle, the owner of OAK in Kensington, MD, has been such a pleasure. Gayle is a community building who brings unique fashions, jewelry, and gifts to the DMV area. I have my abstract watercolors on display at the shop. Visit OAK at 10511 Metropolitan Avenue.
How fun to see this shutout in the Town of Kensington monthly magazine for the Adah Rose Gallery. I have had the pleasure of seeing many wonderful art shows there! Follow along at Adah Rose Gallery.  I always enjoy it when my clients purchase my art as gift for their loved ones but it's equally exciting when they buy my watercolors on yupo for themselves. Here is how a customer displayed her acquisition; my painting is surrounded by a photo from her wedding and an image of the word joy. How lovely.
What a joyful evening! So much fun getting together with my students over Zoom to create unique mandalas. We created cool pieces of art while taking a look at basic watercolor techniques. Check out my September art workshop schedule. See you in class! Here is what my students say about their experience: "Thank you for the wonderful watercolor mandala class. Here’s my piece- I am one with the Earth. I look forward to taking more classes with you." and "I enjoyed the class. Thank you!" and "I have always needed prompting to express myself. Your classes help to bring my thoughts to fruition!" One of my students wrote this about her "I Am Safe" mandala ... "I am Safe with my friends - we are linked together in respect and love for each other; I am Safe within my garden of flowers and figs. Flowers are aromatherapy and the figs and their leaves are strong and is one thing in my life that is constant; I am Safe within myself despite or because of my flights of fancy, similar to kites floating every which way in the air; I am Safe in these times and express my compassion for others behind a mask. My smile may be hidden, but light can still come shining through this mask of protection; Put this altogether in a circle of never ending love, a safety net holding me together!"
I am excited to donate a certificate to an online art workshop to the Rainbow Place Shelter's Raffle! Grab your ticket here and support this important cause.  Adah Rose has created such a delightful space at her gallery. All are welcome and the art on the walls is wonderful and will transport you into a world of imagination. I am honored to have two of my artworks at the Gallery. Left: 3D sculpted painting (watercolor on cotton) called "Sunset over Pond". Right: watercolor on yupo called "Share the Light."
I just finished teaching a private art class to a group of 12 friends. What a fun experience! It really made my day to see people come together, chat, and create together (here is an example called "Clear Pebbles of Rain"). I am happy to do a Zoom workshop for you and your loved ones or a work team. I have a variety of watercolor projects, none of which require a previous experience. Contact me if interested. Here is what one of my students said, "Thanks for the enlightening session. I've never painted - so this was all new to me. It was fun, and my performance anxiety diminished the longer I was at it. When I came back to look at them again this morning, this seemed to express what I was feeling best for each of the words/phrases. I look forward to playing again with paint! Thanks for opening a new creative avenue for me."  My abstract watercolor on yupo makes for the perfect backdrop on the Capital Hill Art League website. I am a new member of this DC-based organization and am excited about the opportunity to share my art. Follow @caphillartleague on Instagram to see what is coming up!  Join Emerge Gallery live on the gallery YouTube channel this Sunday, August 16, 2020, at 3 PM for an artists discussion and virtual tour of the exhibition. I'll be presenting each piece in the exhibit and some of the artists will be joining me to discuss their work. The event will be archived for later viewing. Artwork in the exhibition is available to view and purchase exclusively online through the Emerge Gallery Artsy shop.  Oh, what a lovely evening spent sketching and painting. My students and I embarked on a lovely project: to paint an owl in watercolors. Play and fun were are our goals. We chatted and laughed and talked anything and everything creativity. Here is what they said about their experience: "Thanks for a fantastic class!" and "Wonderful class tonight. Thank you" and "Thank you for another fantastic class!". I am so grateful we are all able to come together through Zoom and create and feel connected. Sign up for my monthly newsletter (on the Home page of this website) to receive updates about classes and other creative adventures. 
I am excited to contribute to "Art From the Heart" campaign by Art Watch DC. To date, they have gifted more than 1,600 artworks to three hospitals in the DM, one of the being Holy Cross in Silver Spring, MD.    Today, I brought a new artwork to the Adah Rose Gallery in Kensington, MD. I am excited to have two pieces included in the collection of contemporary art at this cool gallery in the heart of town. This abstract watercolor on yupo is called "Share the Light" and the title is inspired by words in the book, The Choice, by Dr. Edith Eger. It is available for purchase through the gallery ($96, 10" x 8", matted and framed to 16" x 12").  Here is a quick view of several of my RADOST textiles. Every fabric has a name and come with a short story of inspiration. I have designed each pattern and captured a variety of interesting life moments to remind you of the beauty of the world. Wow, what a fun day taking over the Instagram account of the Capital Hill Art League today. I joined this organization recently and have had a wonderful experience with this friend art group. Today, I got to share insights into my textile design and painting process on their account at @caphillartleague. Hop over there and see my nine posts. Enjoy!  Hi there! What a fun Zoom art workshops through Outschool today! My students and I learned about Claude Monet's trip to the Netherlands and recreated one of his oil paintings in watercolors. A lovely study of art history turned into a great morning at home. And here is what one of my students had to say about her experience, "My 15 year old really enjoyed the class. The instructor was very nice. She learned some information about Monet and made a wonderful painting. We would definitely sign up for another class from this instructor in the future."  The best way to spend one's evening: enjoy a variety of freshly cut flowers and to paint them! I guided my students through a series of watercolor paintings exploring the technique through composition, scale, and a variety of color combinations. Sign up for my newsletter (on the HOME tab) and get a listing of my class offerings. Join in on the fun! Here is what one of my students says about her experience, "Wonderful class! Clear instruction with many different techniques covered. Excellent pace. Good opportunities for questions. Loved it!".   Peak in! The doors to OAK in Kensington, MD, are open (masks required, hand sanitizer and gloves available). Gayle - the shop's owner - carries my abstract watercolors on yupo and has a delightful selection of fashions, gifts, and accessories! |
