UNFINISHED

watercolor, india ink
30 x 22

Another "slip" painting started in Maine this past June.  It is unfinished but I plan to go back to it this fall as I like the energy of it.

SUMMER PAINTING

watercolor
30 x 22

Here is another slip I painted earlier this summer while in Maine.  This is continuation of my Slip Series I did last year in memory of my Mom.  I realized this theme is done for now.  In the next few days I will show you a couple more slip paintings.  After that look for some new work.  Now I am formatting the images and thinking of titles.  Naming them is always a challenge - a fun one!

MY SUMMER SO FAR

watercolor, india ink
30 x 22

I spent three weeks in Maine this summer painting.  I was happy to have that concentrated time to work and to make some exciting changes in my paintings.  My first few days seemed like warm-ups as I was still exploring the Slip Series...  Here is one of the earlier ones before my work took a turn in a different direction.  All the paintings have just been photographed!  Now they need to be formated for the website and potential shows.  Plus they need to be titled, sorted, filed and some even reworked.  I plan to post one on my blog daily. Stay tuned!

FRANKENTHALER INSPIRES

I am writing an article on Helen Frankenthaler.  Inspired by her work and method, I am painting, on two full sheets of 300 lb cold press paper, on the floor... pouring  & pushing paint around.

YES

SLIP # 7
acrylic/canvas
18 x 18

Luckily, last night, I checked my spam folder and had a notice of very good news.  My painting above: Slip # 7, has been selected for the 15th Annual ISAP (International Society of Acrylic Painters) Open International Exhibition.  The juror is Katherine Liu - one of my favorite artists and one I hope to study with someday. The show will take place in Paso Robles, California from July 14th - August 12, 2012.   This will be a first having my work in a exhibit on the west coast.  It is so exciting, after many rejections of late, for me to finally hear or read these five words, "your work has been selected...". 

SHIFT

SHIFT # 21
watercolor/india ink
30 x 22



SHIFT # 22
watercolor/india ink
30 x 22

I framed these watercolors the other day without glass.  They are attached to a slightly smaller canvas to give the appearrance of floating when hung.  On top I applied a layer of cold wax medium to protect the painting.  The cold wax acts as a varnish protecting the painting and allowing the work to be seen without the added layer (or weight) of glass. 

The two paintings are from my Slip Series started last year.  For the next two weeks these paintings are at the Rocky Neck Gallery.  This year the gallery gave space to those artists wanting to show larger work.  An excellent idea!

To see more of my Slip Series or other work please visit my website: http://www.marthawakefield.com/

A 2-FER DAY

Mondays can be tough and today could be one of those if I let it be. At least  I was in the studio all day painting and I did make some progress that left me feeling upbeat.  That helps to deal with the two no's/rejections/or not invited that I received today about my work from juried shows.  The British motto that has become my favorite saying is my special mantra for this Monday: keep calm and carry on...