Feliz Navidad ya'll!!!!!!!!!
Going through old photographs and sitting here amidst a million wonderful memories, as I listen to Christmas carols......oh wait..........I'm missing the hot Chocolate, or should I make it a Hot Toddy???? Either, or, ~ ideal, considering the fact that it is 50 degrees or below here in sunny south FLorida........yikes!!!! I love it.
It totally gets me into the holiday spirit as is evident here in this photo of my little girl, taken in 1976, and a scan of an embroidered piece I've been working on today - a copy of her first letter to Santa, written by Stacey herself in 1978. She was barely four years old and so was still confusing her N's and M's. Sorry Santa.
Now ready to embellish!!!Today she's a mommy encouraging her own child to write his first Christmas letter. The only difference is...... his list is already TWO pages long!!!!
my minds eye
"It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth -- and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. ... For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." --Patrick Henryand then the light went on!!!
The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depend upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily...Plato
Words to live by
"I have been absolutely terrified of every moment of my life, and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do" ~ Georgia O'Keefe
My Aunt Mimi at her Social debut...........Me lower right hand corner, five years old
Sketching faces for Towers and Turrets. Why the Alice theme you may be asking???? Thank Johnny Depp for that. Does he not possess THE most gorgeous face (well second most gorgeous, next to my Jake) !!!!!!
Keith by the way, another favorite. OMG these alluring free spirits......must they move me so!!!!!
who's still................. loving those '"BAD" boys.
Writing from my soul
It's been awhile, I know. The hours in the days have seamlessly melded into weeks as I continue to enjoy the simpler things in life. Family, friends, new babies to cuddle, creativity. Freshly made Pizza's, my cousins homemade pastries, laughter, and even a few tears..... mostly those that come from joy.
I'll share todays journaling here, with you. Rather than a sketch, I wrote....(it's actually more of a prayer) which I often times do, and more often than not, it takes on a life of it's own. hmmmmmm
Seasons of my Life
Nearing the end of summers youth I learn,
I’ve blossomed, grown.
I’ve eagerly turned my face towards the sun.
Smiling eyes, wide open. My flesh-exchanging fragrances with that of the earth. Inhaling, exhaling... each breath with unabashed greed.
Now, joyfully approaching the next cycle, I begin
the third quadrant of my well seasoned life.
In essence, similar to that of a freshly made dough. Able to rest gently inside a lovingly carved wooden bowl, rising slowly, like a beautiful harvest moon.
The Fall of my life, the rise of my life, the rest of my life.
Full, round, resplendent in it’s glow, casting prayer and praise, while feeding multitudes through intention.
Yet... like the grand Oak tree, I watch in awe as my leaves, still saturated with life, flutter to the ground, hugging at it’s roots. Exposing vein like limbs that tremble with excitement...while colors change from vibrant green to red. From gold, and russet to violet, then, finally, skeletal silver. Imitating the glistening gray silken strands of hair reflecting back those same colors~like a mirror to the soul.
In the vulnerability of those naked branches I come to know God.
And yes, through the weather of life, I remain. From clay, to dust,
my spirit safely nurtured inside the immortality of my soil, experiencing divinity. Infinitely - as intended.
Breathing love in accordance with nature, mankind, spirit, and the million other forms we do not yet recognize as one with the other.
I bare it all, resplendent. Moving between solace and anticipation.
Understanding how much more there is;
even unto my winter, and thereafter.
Gloria Martin 8/29/2010
Nearing the end of summers youth I learn,
I’ve blossomed, grown.
I’ve eagerly turned my face towards the sun.
Smiling eyes, wide open. My flesh-exchanging fragrances with that of the earth. Inhaling, exhaling... each breath with unabashed greed.
Now, joyfully approaching the next cycle, I begin
the third quadrant of my well seasoned life.
In essence, similar to that of a freshly made dough. Able to rest gently inside a lovingly carved wooden bowl, rising slowly, like a beautiful harvest moon.
The Fall of my life, the rise of my life, the rest of my life.
Full, round, resplendent in it’s glow, casting prayer and praise, while feeding multitudes through intention.
Yet... like the grand Oak tree, I watch in awe as my leaves, still saturated with life, flutter to the ground, hugging at it’s roots. Exposing vein like limbs that tremble with excitement...while colors change from vibrant green to red. From gold, and russet to violet, then, finally, skeletal silver. Imitating the glistening gray silken strands of hair reflecting back those same colors~like a mirror to the soul.
In the vulnerability of those naked branches I come to know God.
And yes, through the weather of life, I remain. From clay, to dust,
my spirit safely nurtured inside the immortality of my soil, experiencing divinity. Infinitely - as intended.
Breathing love in accordance with nature, mankind, spirit, and the million other forms we do not yet recognize as one with the other.
I bare it all, resplendent. Moving between solace and anticipation.
Understanding how much more there is;
even unto my winter, and thereafter.
Gloria Martin 8/29/2010
I dedicate this to my Aunt Gladys, who just yesterday journeyed a peaceful transition from this world into the next. During that miraculous space in time, she touched my soul, even in the absence of my conscious knowledge, as I sat writing this piece~ peace~ prayer..
Fuego #2 in series
I have been invited to participate in an Artists Trading Card swap, and am leaning towards this one as my contribution, with still more handwork to be applied, for additional dimension.
*The two backgrounds above....."Reflections", and "Conversations with God" are my own.
piece; which I donated to the Pink Artists Charity event. I've recycled it to fit into this digital collage - that still needs tons of work.....aside from the obvious feathering of edges ;-))
The wings and the background stage textures are from Flickr, thanks to Playing with brushes. Thank you PWB xoxo
Gitana 2
I scanned my Gitana mixed media painting into the PSE8 program. I then applied layers with background textures, some brushwork, levels, and the doge tool to create a burned and aged edge to the piece.
The background layers are courtesy of Shadowhouse Creations, as follows....
Anarchy 2
Cracked Mask
The frame was found on Flickr.....one which I failed to label. So sorry about that, but thank you sincerely.
*Most importantly.!.!..!. I must remember to include the names of those most generous artisans who lend their free backgrounds on Flickr. Unfortunately when I download them, that information is not automatically saved. I have to remember to go back, find each, and label. I become so deeply involved during the creative process, so much so that my organizational skills, and protocol are completely forgotten. Ooops :-/
Therefore, since the window and the clock are not originally mine: My sincerest appreciation to ALL who took the time to share. I will find you, and share with you what I've done with your art.
SUNday
FYI....Marie Otero is offering her Digital Magic class again in August. For those of you who missed this first one.......... I would recommend you RUN, not walk to sign up. She presents an overabundance......(I mean that in the highest of compliments) of knowledge, techniques, and her undivided personal attention, during this 6 week session.
As for myself, I have no doubt that this newly acquired form of expression will open many creative doors for me.
My dear girl,
are you the Lion or the Lamb???? Well, my daughter has finally dragged me into the Vampire craze. I've only just begun to read the first book, Twilight. I'm quite sure I will NOT become a TWI-hard, but it's a good read just before turning out the lights.
Wouldn't you know ~ during my journal sketching I channeled something/someone, from Forks, and here she is in all her splendor......."My dear girl"
Wouldn't you know ~ during my journal sketching I channeled something/someone, from Forks, and here she is in all her splendor......."My dear girl"
Wall Flower
It is in actuality, as reminded to me ~ by a new friend, the most ancient, and primitive form of language. So whether it be good art, or bad art, what's most valuable, is that the creator is communicating to their very own soul in this universal, omnipotent tongue . Personal, and social judgment mostly falls away. The cherry on top of all of this.......the 'humble' possibility that....someday, somewhere, someone will interpret, reinterpret, understand and be inspired by sharing in these personal, simple renderings done in pencil with a bit of color...."stories."
"HIStory,.....HERstory, then and now, parallel messengers.
Of late, I've been blessed with the opportunity to begin learning more modern technology through my friends on the Internet, and oh my.....what a world it has opened up to me. Thank you all!!!
In any event....... here's more evidence of yesterdays visual "soul" conversations with myself.
Oh, and these sketches are drawn directly into my journal book, then scanned from there, and enhanced using those same original, unedited images. Again, primitive in method, but that's how I like it as well.
True grit
Free spirit
Attempting to loosen up!!! The minute the paint brush goes in my hand I freeze. I suppose it's partially due to 12 years of Catholic school....I feel as though the Nun is still standing over me holding the ruler in her hand ready to strike at my knuckles, and that was just for penmanship!!!!!! :-/
fugettaboutit!!!!!!!! ;-))
And a big shout out to "gypsy purple". Thank you so very much for your comment, and your generous mention of me along with the photo/link of my Gitana on your beautiful blog.
To those of you, like me, who love it all, and lean towards the bohemian side of life, take a few minutes to visit gypsy. Loads of inspiration and great links.
Thanks again ....my kindred spirit!!!!!
fugettaboutit!!!!!!!! ;-))
And a big shout out to "gypsy purple". Thank you so very much for your comment, and your generous mention of me along with the photo/link of my Gitana on your beautiful blog.
To those of you, like me, who love it all, and lean towards the bohemian side of life, take a few minutes to visit gypsy. Loads of inspiration and great links.
Thanks again ....my kindred spirit!!!!!
BLACK......fit to be.........TIDE
Getting out my frustrations, so forgive the redundant theme, but I MUST express, lest we forget!
Tomorrow I'll attempt more color.
Here is a story told to my imagination by my barefoot muse, "La Gitana". She came to be, in my minds eye, approximately ten years ago. I describe her below as she truly is. My constant, spiritual, creative, companion.
And so...... let the tale begin......
La Gitana, the barefoot muse,
dwells in a beautiful gypsy wagon, far, far away from the caravan. Here, in this magnificently bejeweled, tiny but regal, most honored temple, she enjoys her consecrated life. This is her shrine. A place decorated by the fairies themselves. Gilded through and through in the spectral colors that are the northern lights, and if you listen closely, you will hear the music of the spheres wafting melodiously from inside. At night, this hallowed wagon gracefully transitions into a mystical silhouette, displaying itself fantastically against the moon....a moon...framed within an onyx black, diamond studded sky.
When morning arrives, my muse takes leave of her abode to stroll along the shore, savoring oysters, collecting the pearls from within, picking shells, driftwood, and flowers, seaweed and coral. She takes such delight in her chores. Her eyes memorizing the intoxicating hues of a turquoise sea. She inhales the perfumed air, the warm, baked smell of summer. Her oxygen extracted from the brightly scented emerald greens that shimmer on an ocean in accordance with the Sun.
Here, in this land of abundance -this land of enumerable treasures, where gifts from nature form a plethora of miracles, all for the taking.........
here, the place where she was born.
A marvel to behold, disguised at first, as veiled, prismatic smoke, rising up from an intricately chambered, multi spiraled nautilus.
Her mere existence....an embodiment of all those things that bring forth perfect harmony
and........ she breathes into me.
She wears the sheerest of linens and lace. So light are they, the fabrics whip and dart like sails, or kites playing about with the laughing wind.
She sings lilting lyrics, as she sacredly performs her rituals, glorifying the dawn, blessing the night, painting the day, and...........
she breathes into me.
Her bracelets, her earrings, her anklets, all conducting a cosmic symphony that deaf ears can hear; whose musical notes blind eyes can read. She swirls, she spins, and she dances, always in her bare feet.........and.......always......
she breathes into me.
She urges me to taste the tangy salt of the waters, from whence we all come. It collects on my lips, brought by the mist, carried by the the breezes that so gently caress my face with the flavor of deep blue velvet.
She amuses herself as she blows sparkling glitter, those minuscule crystals that form the sands that created the shores, back during a time before time..... into my mind, into my eyes, into my heART.........
she breathes into me.
For my ornamentation, she weaves coronets. Crafted from the finest gifts born of the heavens and the earth. She entwines into them the highest knowledge, and wraps around them the beauty and the honor of living true. She places these upon my head, and.........
she breathes into me.
Onto my very own feet she rubs oils pressed from roses, gardenia, and jasmine,
sweetly scented by the petals, a potpourri of all that is pure,
and.... she breathes into me.
My hands, my hands. Those she convinces me are butterflies in glorious attire. They flutter about tickling my imagination with their wings; releasing a magical pollen while penetrating my senses, my soul, my being. I watch, fascinated, enchanted, enthralled, I am captured in awe beyond worldly comprehension.............and all the while...................
she breathes into me.
la gitana
And so...... let the tale begin......
La Gitana, the barefoot muse,
When morning arrives, my muse takes leave of her abode to stroll along the shore, savoring oysters, collecting the pearls from within, picking shells, driftwood, and flowers, seaweed and coral. She takes such delight in her chores. Her eyes memorizing the intoxicating hues of a turquoise sea. She inhales the perfumed air, the warm, baked smell of summer. Her oxygen extracted from the brightly scented emerald greens that shimmer on an ocean in accordance with the Sun.
Here, in this land of abundance -this land of enumerable treasures, where gifts from nature form a plethora of miracles, all for the taking.........
here, the place where she was born.
A marvel to behold, disguised at first, as veiled, prismatic smoke, rising up from an intricately chambered, multi spiraled nautilus.
Her mere existence....an embodiment of all those things that bring forth perfect harmony
and........ she breathes into me.
She wears the sheerest of linens and lace. So light are they, the fabrics whip and dart like sails, or kites playing about with the laughing wind.
She sings lilting lyrics, as she sacredly performs her rituals, glorifying the dawn, blessing the night, painting the day, and...........
she breathes into me.
Her bracelets, her earrings, her anklets, all conducting a cosmic symphony that deaf ears can hear; whose musical notes blind eyes can read. She swirls, she spins, and she dances, always in her bare feet.........and.......always......
she breathes into me.
She urges me to taste the tangy salt of the waters, from whence we all come. It collects on my lips, brought by the mist, carried by the the breezes that so gently caress my face with the flavor of deep blue velvet.
She amuses herself as she blows sparkling glitter, those minuscule crystals that form the sands that created the shores, back during a time before time..... into my mind, into my eyes, into my heART.........
she breathes into me.
For my ornamentation, she weaves coronets. Crafted from the finest gifts born of the heavens and the earth. She entwines into them the highest knowledge, and wraps around them the beauty and the honor of living true. She places these upon my head, and.........
she breathes into me.
Onto my very own feet she rubs oils pressed from roses, gardenia, and jasmine,
sweetly scented by the petals, a potpourri of all that is pure,
and.... she breathes into me.
My hands, my hands. Those she convinces me are butterflies in glorious attire. They flutter about tickling my imagination with their wings; releasing a magical pollen while penetrating my senses, my soul, my being. I watch, fascinated, enchanted, enthralled, I am captured in awe beyond worldly comprehension.............and all the while...................
she breathes into me.
The gypsy wagon photos were found on flickr, Auguskirk photoslides
the muse who does not need eyes by which to see...........mine.
Fire and Ice
Today, I decided to paint yesterdays journal sketch. Once I started adding color - it's meaning became altogether different. I looked at it and thought..............hmmm........ "fire and ice", how me.
Yesterday it was created in love and support of someone else.
Now with a bit of drama added, it expresses a whole new vibe. Don't you just love that about creating?
A bit eccentric, but hey..........that's what makes my merry go round!!!!!!!
Yesterday it was created in love and support of someone else.
Now with a bit of drama added, it expresses a whole new vibe. Don't you just love that about creating?
Express yourself
They are dedicated to someone whom I love very much, and who is desperately trying to find his way.
The colors of Springtime
For the love of Chocolate
Since my last post, I've been busy enjoying myself through many different activities, social and educational, that is, until a bronchial infection decided differently for me. Obviously I was biting off more than I could chew, and so for the last couple of days I've been home bound; with no energy to even get out of bed. ......except for the trips to the freezer, which is where I've stored my Hershey kisses, hoping in vain, that freezing them would derail me from eating them faster than usual. NOPE. If anything, they are better tasting and more enticing than ever!!!! Of course, for me, there is nothing better than chocolate. From.... Hershey's to Godiva, whatever, whenever, let alone - when I am under the weather.
Now frozen chocolate kisses.........to ease my burning throat........ , thanks Mom for that suggestion. OMG the BEST!
YES, I am also having the soup, hot tea, and lots of herbal supplements. I'm smart enough to appreciate the best of both worlds ;)))
I'll be back soon with a couple of sketches and a thing or two for my etsy shop.
c'est moi...........2030
"Time and trouble may tame a wild young woman, but a wild old woman is uncontrollable by any force."~ Dorothy L. Sayers.......... today's self portrait. To be continued...................;-)))
Amazing Grace
This is Grace. She is my self portrait for today. Although she may not look very much like me...sometimes during those rare and fortunate moments, I'll catch a glimpse of her looking back at me through the mirror of my soul.
The wing, background and flesh tones have to be finessed. I just did a quick color wash here, with aquarelle crayons.
Quote for the day
"Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
~Theodore Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss
~Theodore Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss
Another self portrait
It's who I am, not how I look........better yet, young is how I feel!!!!!
getting to know you (sing along, for those of you old enough to remember this tune, GREG)
A self portrait...............self explanatory...........I hope.
Well understood by my artisan friends and family. All of whom are only too familiar, in the deepest sense, that creating opens up a wellspring of every emotion known to man ~ since the beginning of time.
Below you'll find my self portrait, along with a comment from such a friend, clearly expressing....my expression, even better than I can ;)
Joanne...I hope you don't mind. It's just that we relate so well, in words, and in pictures. Thank you for that.
Well understood by my artisan friends and family. All of whom are only too familiar, in the deepest sense, that creating opens up a wellspring of every emotion known to man ~ since the beginning of time.
Below you'll find my self portrait, along with a comment from such a friend, clearly expressing....my expression, even better than I can ;)
"i love this sketch, Gloria... we all have darkness and light inside of us... taken together this is what makes us whole... and the truth is... there IS angst, struggle, frustration, fear, and sadness right alongside the optimism, brightness, and joy... and at any one time we take a snapshot of ourselves in self portrait we have an opportunity to ... get to know all those parts of ourselves and each other that much better... what a wonderful thing!... i welcome all those parts of you... this is beautifully done... i'm very glad to be getting to know more of you... :)"
Well after many attempts at painting Mystic, I've put it aside. Making my own flesh tone colors using the acrylic paints ends up looking muddy.
So instead of giving up entirely, I went on to complete another one of Misty's assignments. This one was to sketch and paint a portrait using only monochromatic tones. I used raw umber, titanium white, and a tiny bit of paynes gray. This was great practice, because of the amount of shading involved, having to create the effect of light and dark, and reaching for 2dimensional features - with actual paint that dries sooooooooooooo quickly. That's where I'm getting stuck.
Pencil on paper now seems like a piece of cake. Eraser in hand, and you can change anything. Acrylic paints.....not so much. hmph
Anywayssss, not a total loss.
So instead of giving up entirely, I went on to complete another one of Misty's assignments. This one was to sketch and paint a portrait using only monochromatic tones. I used raw umber, titanium white, and a tiny bit of paynes gray. This was great practice, because of the amount of shading involved, having to create the effect of light and dark, and reaching for 2dimensional features - with actual paint that dries sooooooooooooo quickly. That's where I'm getting stuck.
Anywayssss, not a total loss.
Mystic Circle
That's the title I'm going to give this piece. First off.......that's how I feel about this group of artisans that I'm taking this journey with. There is so much energy, creativity, passion and goodwill going around... I can't quite put it into words, so I'll put it into heART work.
She is my interpretation of "The head of a young girl" by William Adolph Bouguereau. I've taken the liberty of adding a halo...to represent the spirituality of speaking through art, and the unity and new friendships established in this circle of tremendous talent.
Here is the sketch. Tomorrow I'll paint.......using acrylics.
Mystic circle
She is my interpretation of "The head of a young girl" by William Adolph Bouguereau. I've taken the liberty of adding a halo...to represent the spirituality of speaking through art, and the unity and new friendships established in this circle of tremendous talent.
Here is the sketch. Tomorrow I'll paint.......using acrylics.
Painted Lady
I SHIVAD at the thought of using the SHIVA oil sticks and all in all........it was a darn good time. My fellow classmates are creating amazing portraitures, but our site is private, so I can't share anyone else's work, or at least...I don't think I can.
Anywhoooo.........shout out to MISTY for bringing us all together.
Anywhoooo.........shout out to MISTY for bringing us all together.
new assignement
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