Feature Article in the Potomac Patch online newspaper

I am happy to share this feature article by Nancy Gibson of the Potomac Patch online newspaper.  A few weeks ago, I mentioned my meeting with Nancy and this article.   It came out today and I thought I would share it with you.  Please follow the link to read the quotes from two local companies and see images of my studio. 

Feature Article - Light and Color Driven Paintings


Nancy also has a fabulous business that you may find interesting.   She is an antiques dealer under the name Gabriel Gibson Decorative Arts and sells on VandM.com.  Please take a look at her unique items at http://www.vandm.com/gabrielgibson you may find something that you can't live without!

Solo Exhibition: Wake Forest University Medical Center

"Star Spangled Skies"

Fine Art in Heath Care
Solo Exhibition (Photography): "Capture A Cloud"
Wake Forest University Medical Center, NC
April 1 - June 1, 2011

"A Silver Lining"

I am very excited about my upcoming photography exhibition at the Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.   This is a collection of fifteen colorful photographs of pleasing and unexpected cloud images.  Fine art and photography in health care facilities requires entertainment value and universal appeal for patients and visitors.  I was thrilled to have my proposal chosen and look forward to my visit to Winston-Salem next week. 

If you would like to see all fifteen images, I will be happy to send you the link--just email at, marthaspak@gmail.com. 
http://www.marthaspak.com 

From Blank Canvas to Finished Art

1) The Starting Point

Oh the possibilities!  How do I begin?  What should I paint? 
It is always a challenge to decide what to paint and how big to paint "it".  A blank canvas is probably not as exciting to some as it is to me but what comes to mind is --get to work!

This post contains a few start to finish images to show you my process.  My inspiration is always there while tackling the hurdles that come along with getting the painting completed.  Let me know what you think....



 

2) Choosing Inspiring Colors

If I am not on location to create field studies, I am in my studio.  

One of my first steps is determining the color and feel of my piece.  I love color swatches!

3) Laying in Color

Laying in color quickly establishes my directions and what I need to focus on to get the finished piece.  This piece was quite an effort because it was to big but I really like the finished piece.  "Turning Points" comes from the long sandy, walk to the beach where you can take a different path each time.  Why not try a new path, right?

Finished Piece, "Turning Points", Oil, 36 x 48

Galleries Magazine (March) Cover

Spring inspiration is everywhere!
I want to share with you this great resource called Galleries Magazine. My painting, "Cool Lemons II" made the cover of the March issue along with an inside cover article.   Galleries Magazine is a guide to the Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia area art spaces featuring local artworld happenings, commentary and images highlighting current exhibitions and opening receptions.   
 
 Visit Galleries Magazine to read the inside cover article, and stop by The Art Gallery in Potomac now through the end of March.

VandM.com (Vintage and Modern)

Silver Dollars & Linen, 24 x 36, Oil

My Paintings at VandM

I am excited to let you know about the launch of my new store front on VandM (Vintage and Modern.com).  VandM is the go-to online course for unique art, furniture, antiques and jewelry direct from hundreds of dealers around the world.

This site has one-of-kind items, design and art news, trends and interviews to the trade and savvy public.  You may already know the site or have read about it in Elle Decor, LA Times, Arch Digest.  My store MLSGallery has five to ten paintings which will be updated monthly but there is lots to see on the site.

Please visit my store at:  http://www.vandm.com

Related Articles:

Elle Decor Article: http://www.elledecor.com/decorating/articles/collecting

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/http://www.architecturaldigest.com/

High Tide, 20 x 24, Oil

New Abstract Work

I have been working on a more abstract vision of my coastal seascapes.  My painting (left) is called "High Tide" and is inspired by being at the waters' edge during high tide.  Sometimes the water seems at eye level and the horizon disappears--I wanted to convey the power of the sea.  View others at: http://www.MarthaSpak.com