Rainbow Row

I took this picture of Rainbow row in Charleston several years ago. I love Charleston and lived there with some college friends the summer after my freshman year. We all went to the Citadel to take our language requirement. Yes, you read that right, it was the Citadel. Needless to say we were the minority in our class and the cadets acted like they had never even seen a girl before. It was extremely fun!

Anyway, back to Rainbow Row. Rainbow row is actually not very bright at all, at least not from my picture. I do love it though and always wished I could live there one day.
I created a line drawing in Photoshop and printed it on watercolor paper from my Epson printer (it doesn't smear) and started flooding in some bright Dr. Ph. Martins Radiant Watercolors. I wanted it bright and exaggerated. Looks like I got--bright and exaggerated! It was a fun little experiment.

Be not forgetful...

I really love this Scripture and it really makes you go hummmmmm....doesn't it?  Goes to show that angels probably really don't have wings, at least the ones that maybe we might have encountered?  I don't know but there have been times that I have said to myself, hummmm...

This is a Scripture that I wrote in a calligraphy class many years ago and saved it in my files. It is such a good layout that it just about will fit in any background. I change the colors in Photoshop. I painted the little girl several years ago also and with Photoshop I placed her on the background and used the overlay blending effect. There is also another angel face over her left shoulder. Hope that one is not creepy. Well, it was fun anyway.
It says, "Be not forgetful"...the Be not is not as legible. Probably should go and darken that a bit.

Have a wonderful Monday!

I sent out the Artsy Update newsletter today so I hope you all received it. 

This is a painting that I explain a little more in the newsletter. It was

fun to paint. You know how I love pears!

I hope you all have a wonderful and creative weekend.

Sketchbook cover

I find that if I have a cute cover on my sketch books I tend to pick it up and draw more frequently. I know that a  good drawing is the basis of any good painting so I try to draw as much as I can. Even if it's a mustard and ketchup bottle. It all about seeing the object.  I collaged different images in Photoshop, printed it and glued it on.  I love to create digital collages of my art. It's so fun.

This sketchbook is one of my favorite ones and I have several of them with various types of paper. They are Strathmore Visual Journals.  This one is a 5.5 x 8 but I have all sizes. Do you have one yet?

A little more poppy calligraphy

Here is the next page in that journal that also had some painted Poppies--so it needed some calligraphy.

I am heading off to my oil painting class with Diane Fraser, one of the best oil painters I have ever seen and she is just delightful too. She is a realist painter and of course I am not but the principles of color and value are all the same.  Hopefully I will move on along in my oil painting journey.
Have a wonderful day!

Poppy Strength

I am still enjoying going back and adding to old journal pages that could use a little lettering something. I wrote this with an Elegant Writer Marker Broad point calligraphy marker. I think it worked out pretty well with no planning and just a... ready, set... go for it.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. This time it worked and I like it.

September JP--Week 1

I think I had a lot on my mind for this spread. These journal pages keep me using all my supplies that I love but don't use that much. I used to be a card maker so I used them all the time. I still make cards but just for personal use.  For the journals I look through my magazines for interesting little ditties and saying that will work as an element for the page.  It's relaxing and fun.

Have a great Wednesday.

A little lettering...and some fun...

Here is what a fun Friday night looks like:

Just need one more shelf, honey.

Having fun at the studio---well, Bucky and I are having fun that is...

All done. 

There's just something about a man with power tools...

Such a sweetheart...

You too, Chauncey...

Here's the cuteness...

Until next time...

Let Your Light Shine

Have a shining weekend!

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that

they may see your good works, and glorify

your Father who is in Heaven."

Matthew 5:16

Journal Happiness

What do we keep a journal for? 

For me it's always been about creating something that I knew didn't have to be a masterpiece;

or a place for a little masterpiece on a scrap of paper.

Or to see where your art journey was at the time--or just to have a little place to write

a thought. I have been looking through my journals and enjoying what I see

because if I didn't revisit then these pages would be gone from my

memory all together.

This is one of my favorite journals that has lots of yummy scraps and pockets filled with

stuff that I did even remember that I created. Yes, it's journal happiness for sure.

One of my favorite shows on TV right now is "So You Think You Can Dance." 

The dancers on this show are just so hard working, respectful and well mannered. 

This is one of my favorite dance routines. I have lots of favorites

but this one really moved me. If you  have even known someone who struggles

with addiction then you might agree that this dance is the perfect picture of it.

It's pretty intense and if you are not crazy about this style of contemporary

 dance then you might not like it at all.

 I think I like this dancer, Cole, because he is a martial arts expert and

 we spent most of my son's younger years in martial arts class. 

It is a wonderful discipline for young boys if they stick with it. 

That being said, here is my favorite dance with Cole and Lindsay.

Unfortunately Lindsay got voted off last time. :((

Filling in some journal pages

I have been missing my calligraphy nib so I have been going back into some journal pages that were ready for lettering to see if I could find a place for some lettering.  The top journal is a Strathmore Visual Journal with the bristol paper. It is smoother so it helps when I am using a pointed nib.

The bottom journal is one that I made out of cold press Arches watercolor paper. The "believe" was already there so I just decided to add to it.

The lettering is a "Martha variation" of a pointed pen calligraphy hand. I guess if it's anything it is a combination of pressurized Romans with a curly twist. Calligraphy speak there...

Also, I sent out the newsletter last night so hopefully all of you wonderful subscribers got it. Remember to look into your spam folder. I am not sure why that happens but some email programs will think that bulk emails are spam---and lots of the time they are.
But if you don't get it you can always go HERE to read all back issues.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

The Big Grid Journal, etc...

Sometimes I get so focused on painting that I forget my big journal. 

I love creating these journal pages because I get to use all those stamps 

and supplies that I just HAD to have.

I also like to put little snippets of artwork that I have created into it and

to draw some girls.  Drawing faces is one of the most fun things of all.

It's funny about my faces...they are all either cousins or sisters.

I use Pan Pastels for the backgrounds, my calligraphy markers, Calligra-FUN

letters with Brushables markers, stamps I have carved and stamps I have bought, 

glitter and gel pens...and the list goes on and on. Sometimes I even use Puffy paint.

Every page is different and it's like a puzzle---where to fit in the next thing.

This one is about a week behind because I forgot to post it last time.

Also, I will be sending out the  September "Artsy Update" newsletter Saturday, Sept 1st. 

Among other artsy things, I am offering a 24 hour art sale.
 If by chance you wanted to purchase

any of my 6x6 daily oil paintings this will be
your chance to get one at a very low price.
They are piling up and some of these little children
just must be adopted out!

ALSO: If you don't receive your newsletter on Saturday,
check your spam folder. It might be there. Sometimes email
settings will do that.

And with that purchase
 you will also receive password access to my re-released tutorial,

"5 Minute Watercolor Flowers" 

 It a good compliment to my "Color Drop Flowers" class.

Here is a little sneak peak.

5 minute promo from Martha Lever on Vimeo.

So until next time...

Come Journey with Me

 

I had an itch today to carve a stamp.

I had to stop and think a minute how to transfer it onto the stamp. Xylene did the trick.

I also like the smell of it. It's like smelling gasoline---but maybe I am just weird.

 It is such an easy transfer. You have to have a toner based printer (I have a cheap HP one), then do your flip horizontal thing in an editing program, place the printed paper on the stamp eraser and coat some xylene on the back of the print with a paper towel. Go over it with a bone folder to crisp it up. It makes a very crisp transfer. 

It was rather tricky. I am not practiced up on my stamp carving skills but it was fun.
Nice change from the smell of my oil paints. I like that smell too.

:))

UPDATE:

Marjorie has commented that xylene is toxic, so just to be clear---
I am NOT recommending this product. 
She says it's also in Sharpies.

NEWSLETTER DAY!

I hope everyone received their newsletter today and I and so excited about the subscriber response. Thank you all so much. I knew that I wanted to expand my outreach but just didn't quite know how to do it. Now that I have found the Fine Art Newsletter format I am really excited and had a blast creating it for this week.

If you want to subscribe it's never too late to see a back issue because you can find all of them in the "Read Past Issues" area
HERE

Here is another little ditty I did this week. It's just one of those late night "gotta scratch my art itch" paintings.
It's a 5x5.

Hope you enjoy the newsletter!
PS...If any of you Subscribed after 7:00 AM today, August 10,
go HERE and scroll to the bottom to "Read Past Issues"

NEWSLETTER IS COMING!!

I have been thinking about doing a newsletter for quite some time but really didn't know how to go about it. My new web site is from FASO and they offer a newsletter format which comes with my package so I thought now's the time. 

 Don't worry because your email will never be sold or given out by by FASO to any other company.

Here are some things that I will be including in the newsletter:
Giveaways, tips, videos, supply suggestions and the supplies that I think are the best, daily paintings, calligraphy, insights into my art journey, my art inspirations, updates on new classes and discounts on art work, and much more.

If you get tired or bored of me you can delete me when I come in or you can unsubscribe. 
No worries!

When you subscribe you will receive an email in your box saying that you have subscribed to me and when you open that up you will have an area that says, "Quick Reply." If you want to, I would love for you to send me a little note as to who you are and what kind of art you do and what things you would like to see from my newsletter.

So with all that being said:
If you are so inclined...
SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER
I am working on Friday's letter so when you sign up you will receive it in your inbox on Friday.
Thank you! 

And the Winner Is...

STEPHANIE!
http://stephanieestrin.blogspot.com/

Congratulations! Daisy is excited about comeing to your house!
Send me your address and I will send her right off to you.

Thank you all for your sweet comments and I wish I had a Daily for everyone.

The View from Friday Part 3--and a giveaway!

Hey Y'all. Hope everyone had a good week. I can't believe it's already August. It's surely the Dog Days of August here in Jacksonville. Almost too hot to go outside but I know that I am not the only one so I know that others can join my summer heat pity party.

I didn't paint a daily painting every day because I am also going through the workbook of "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain," by Betty Edwards...because if you can't draw you can't paint. That's the sad truth. Well, I will rephrase that--if you are trying to paint what you see, that is. I also got stuck with my nose in my book (no it's not 50 Shades of Grey--and I understand that is not an art book on learning to paint a value study!) :))

So first off, here is a little video that I filmed yesterday of my new toy.
This box is the Belly River.



I am extremely excited about my new pochade box but as I said--- now I have to bit the bullet and go do it YIKES!. When the weather gets cooler then I will go. Chauncey said he would go with me so he can fend off the gators.


Here is one called "Ethereal Flowers" that I painted at 11:00 the other night. I painted on some Japanese paper that I had glued to a panel. Love this paper.

Andbelow is the other one called "Daisies in Red" that I painted after doing Lesson 6 of Dan Edmondson classes. This one was also painted on Japanese paper so it would peek through. This doesn't look too much like the still life we were suppose to paint but he has given us permission to translate any way we want.

And here is a cute little book Lori and I made at a workshop the other day. It's Coptic stitching a book using single sheets. It was rather complicated but you can see the cute braids down the spine. I enjoyed making it though and it's always fun to be with Lori.

And if you are interested, here is how I shoot my photos. You can get the set up here:

It works great and you can fold it up in a snap and put it away. The lamps are not included of course but the little lights are.

So now for the giveaway. These daily paintings are certainly piling up so I thought I would start to give some away.

This is "Daisy" and she would love to come and live with you. She is 6x6 in oil.

Just leave me a comment and Sunday night I will let Mr. Random.org pick a number and I will post  the winner on Sunday night.

Have a wonderful week and I will leave you with this quote:

"The older I become, the more I realize that drawing

 is the most important of all the problems of picture-making."

--Joaquin Sorolla

The View from Friday

Ok well to start off this daily painting week my intention was to paint lesson 5 with Dan Edmondson which I am enjoying so much. I am learning to paint things that I would never even try to attempt, like a martini glass with a pear in it with grapes! YIKES. But that is later this week.

I am working on painting 120 paintings, some pretty good, some not so good but I learn more with the not so good ones.

Here is the first one. This one is an 8x8 on a linen panel.

Below are the abstract poppies that I painted at 11:00 the other night. I should never so that because it keeps me up but sometimes I just have to go into my little painting closet and paint to keep from going to bed. I never liked going to bed even as a child.

Then came this one that I thought was going to be so cute from the photograph but came out not so good to me. I am not sure why but I think the pink flowers are rather garish. I just didn't feel that little tingle that I sometimes get when I feel like I nailed it. I seem to get that little thrill more when I paint something from my imagination rather than from a photograph.
But my goal is to paint from real life and photos that I take.

Most of these daily paintings are 6x6 or 6x8--and sometimes 8x8.

These next two were painted the same day. Again these were just intuitive paintings and not looking at a photo.

This one has some collage tissue in the background. You see, I am reverting back to my "grungy" style but using oils rather than acrylics. I am really liking the oils now. I use water soluble oils as well as the regular oils. As I paint through my regular oils I think I will probably just stick to the water soluble oils.

The thought is rolling around in my head to do an online class on using these water soluble oils and paint some flowers and make a little masterpiece..because you know that everything painted in oils is a masterpiece!

Here is the one I painted yesterday. It's a 6x8 collage with oils. I enjoyed painting it and it looks like alot of other paintings I have painted. I always go to these safe background colors but I need to branch out and get adventurous.

 Ok, now for Lesson 5 of Dan Edmondson's class. I put this one off as long as I could because I was intimidated by the martini glass. Well it actually wasn't that hard. You just paint what you see and not what you think you see. That's easier said than done. Of course it helps to see him paint it also.

So there is another week of painting. As always if you would like to purchase any of these paintings you can do that at my website or Daily Paintworks.

Have a wonderful weekend and have a creative week!
I will leave you with this valuable and  oh so true quote:

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Weeks Worth of Paintings

I thought I would post a few paintings I have painted this week. I actually did this one yesterday.
One of my favorite artists and teachers, Kevin Macphearson, says in his book, Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color, to do 100 "starts" of paintings. He explains in his book that this is just a beginning of a painting. There is no detail just shapes with the base colors with the lightest lights and the darkest darks. At this point you don't finish the painting or lay in any details. This is what I did in this painting above. As you see in the reference photo there are many details and I have chosen to crop the photo to fit on my 6x6 canvas size.  I think this will be a good exercise for me because I tend to fiddle way to much on my paintings. I paint from the image on my iPad in Filterstorm app and blur the image and paint the shapes. Surprisingly it looks like something after the "start" is finished. Then if I have a good start then maybe I will have a better chance of getting a good painting. I have a really hard time stopping though. He wants you to stop and don't finish the paintings. It's just for the practice.

I posted this one of the "Itty Bitty Berry Picker" on FB so some of you might have seen her. I am going to try and paint little children but not their faces. I am not ready for that yet. This one was from an inspiration photo I found. It's just on canvas material because it's a practice painting.

This one was from a still life that my art buddies and I set up in my studio to paint. It is very blue-- Old Holland Caribbean Blue that is! And it looks nothing like the still life. The still life, as you see below, had material for the background and lots of folds and shadows. I decided I have a new policy--I DON'T PAINT FOLDS! Well...never say never I guess. It's just a shape so what the big woop.
 As you see I had quite a different interpretation.

Below is a interesting one and it also is just on canvas material (no panel) because it's just a practice start but I got way carried away and painted the house red.
It looked easy to paint but it wasn't easy. I fiddled way too much and it was only suppose to be a start.

And one last thing... I was very excited this week because Daily Paintworks picked this painting to be one of their picks of the day on their Facebook page. I felt like I had died and gone to oil paint heaven. Here it is.

One last thing...you know I just have to use my stamps and try to 

make these oil painting have a grungy mixed media look (it's so much easier with acrylics) so I stamped this pear that I had painted several weeks ago with my Harlequin stamp. The painting has to be dry to stamp on it with oil paint. That takes patience. I am learning patience as I learn to oil paint. 

If you would like to see more paintings please visit my Fine Art Website.

And also... Happy Birthday Lori!!

See y'all later---maybe next Friday I will post again and show you what I have done. 

Just Checking In...

Even though I have taken a blog break I sure haven't taken a painting break. As I said before I took the break my next goal in my art journey is to learn the ins and outs of oil painting starting from the ground floor up so I can learn properly. I have watercolor knowledge as well as acrylics but to really learn to paint what you see with the correct colors takes practice. It's fun and frustrating at the same time. I am still working on my 120 paintings and I am taking an online class with Dan Edmondson. He is teaching me some good tips that I needed to know about oil painting and he sends a video critique of your work. Pretty cool!

Below are a couple of the completed lessons so far. I am only half way through. I never thought I would be putting dark backgrounds on anything but it's so good to learn how to do that. I am certainly not anywhere close to where I want to be but so far so good.

I have also been building a new website and have been extremely busy with that. It is up and running.
Here it is:
www.marthalever.com

I will continue to paint and might check back in next month. I hope everyone had a great 4th of July yesterday and hopefully everyone is staying cool.