SCISSOR

Last week I rushed back from Maine to get this painting framed.  It only took cutting three 6-ply mats to get one perfect for this work.  Scissor was recently juried into the WGBH art auction by Larry Powers of Powers Gallery.  I am very excited to be part of this event as I am a big fan of WGBH and public radio. 

This work is a watercolor on a full sheet of 300 lb cold press watercolor paper.  Objects from our personal history can show up in interesting ways in our paintings.  This series I painted in 2008 and links me to my past profession - the fashion industry where scissors are a prime tool.  You can see more of my scissors paintings on my website: http://www.marthawakefield.com/. 

SCRATCHING THE SURFACE

watercolor & india ink
30 x 22

Shift # 12,  my painting above, I am happy to report, was recently accepted in the new show Scratching the Surface at the Cambridge Art Association.  This is part of my Slip series I have been working on all last year.  The show was juried by Joseph Carroll of  Carroll and Sons Gallery.  It runs from January 20th to February 24th with a reception on Friday, February 3rd, from 5:30 - 7:30 PM.  Along with this good news was seeing several of my friends's works also accepted into this show.

If you are interested in seeing more of my Slip Series - they can be viewed on my website: marthawakefield.com

FREEZE

Our January here in the Northeast lacks the crucial snow covering.  Yet the cold temperatures over the weekend are creating some fascinating layers and textures on small ponds that normally would be hidden under a winter's white blanket.  On our Saturday walk in the Audubon's Habitat here are some luscious patterns and colors of nature's seedlings and grasses stilled by the freezing water.

ROADSIDE IMPRESSIONS 2

Here is another painting of my roadside impression.  The second canvas of three I have been playing with this week.  This painting too was taken with my digital camera so the colors are not quite accurate.  Acrylic on canvas 14 x 20.

ROADSIDE IMPRESSIONS

On the road this past weekend to Vermont the winter landscapes made a deep impression.  When one is a passenger one has the opportunity to see that world on the side of the road passed by at 65 plus miles per hour.  The landscape, even devoid of snow and the water turning from rich blues to opague greys as the temperature drops, is still quite colorful.  So with these fleeting images I decided to play this week in the studio. I am working on three paintings - acrylic on canvas about 14 x 20.  The colors are not correct in these images as I took them with my little digital camera under bad lighting.  But one can get the idea or rather impression. 

NEW YEAR NEW WORK

Happy New Year! 

I am glad the festive holidays have past and the studio beckons.  Getting back to work feels good.  As does having my website updated before the end of 2011.  This goal was accomplished with the help of my photographer-in-residence (also known as my husband, Pip Shepley) and with web mistress and mixed media artist Jeanne Williamson. 

 

My Slip Series that I have been working on for most of the past year is now available at http://www.marthawakefield.com/.  Currently there are three categories with my first being acrylic on canvas.  This is followed by works on paper -  a series of  24 mostly large watercolors which continue to explore the concept of a spiritual presence wearing yet disappearing within such sheerness.  New are my small paintings in acrylic on handmade paper mounted on canvas.  These were well received at my 2 day show in Peterborough, NH in early December.  This group is called Chemise.   I am not sure if I have exhausted this intimate garment yet - only days in the studio will tell.  But I am very happy to be there in this new year. 

Special thanks always to Pip Shepley and Jeanne Williamson