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

 

Collaboration Event -Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery

Beautiful morning in my home studio.

Today I will be at the Yellow Barn working on the collaboration project.  I will be there from 12-3 in the Stone Tower so please stop by.  The gallery is filled with artwork from all the instructors so there is lots to see.  I will also be there on Saturday, 2/26 from 11-1pm demo-ing a still life painting in the tower for park visitors.  The park will be filled with activities for the entire family, so plan to visit.

http://yellowbarnstudio.com

Visit http://bethesda.patch.com to read about this event.

Wind II, acrylic, (36 x 48)

My show at the Art Gallery in Potomac has changed for the month of March.  I am displaying my black and white and red paintings that I recently created for a staging project for designer Kelley Proxmire.  The property is on "Q" Street in Georgetown.  After Kelley's redesign and decorating, the house sold in a record two weeks!  I rarely create paintings with such a bold palette but took the challenge and had a great time!  Very freeing....  Visit Kelley's website  http://www.kelleyinteriordesign.com to see her lovely style and projects.

Silver Dollars & Linen, oil (36 x 48)

Collaboration Event -Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery

Paints and Brushes

Yellow Barn Stone Tower Setup

YELLOW BARN COLLABORATION EVENT (February)
Last Tuesday I participated in the month long collaboration event at the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery, Glen Echo.  It was extremely exciting for me to work on three works of art that are created by fourteen Yellow Barn instructors.  I was day six and spent time working on the landscape of the park and my self portrait.  The landscape painting had the colors laid in when I started.  I continued by adding more color and defining the sidewalk, people and highlights.  Each instructor is video throughout the month and can be seen at http://yellowbarnstudio.blogspot.com/

I have never done a self portrait -- here is my work in progress.... (upper left).  The entire canvas will be filled with images of all the instructors.  I will post after my next visit to the Stone Tower on 2/24.  Please plan to visit me at the tower on 2/26 from 11-1pm for a still life demo; all instructors will be there demo-ing throughout the day.  Hope to see you...