Marsha Clements

Posts Tagged ‘Marsha Clements’

I recently got a call from a young couple that are expecting their first baby–a baby girl named Autumn will arrive in August and they couldn’t be more excited. The dad called to see if I could paint a tree on the nursery wall. It was exciting to meet with these two young people that are so excited to be starting the next phase of their lives. They wanted a tree, with their initials and a heart carved in the trunk, a crabapple or cherry blossom tree in spring with lady bugs and dragonflies and sunflowers to match their linens. The first flowers he had ever given her were sunflowers. It was really so sweet, especially that the dad was so involved in the process of decorating this nursery. I loved doing this for them. I personalized the tree with a fairy door with Autumn’s name and address over the door. The heart was carved into the trunk. Ladybugs are everywhere in the garden. Here are some pictures–but they really don’t do the room justice–it is precious–and I had a blast painting it!

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There’s nothing quite like watching a storm come over a mountain. You can smell the rain, then you begin to hear the rain and the leaves rustle on the mountain, and then you see the rain falling ahead of you, but coming your way. In northern New Mexico, showers come in over the mountains almost every afternoon in the late summer and early fall. This is the Taos Mountain and a shower is on its way in, but is not here yet. In fact, the sun is still shining on the chamisa and the mountain as the storm builds on both sides.

Spring is finally here–I think! It seems that we had the April showers last week, and now the winds are in full blast. I sat at two softball games this week, freezing to death in a strong north wind! You would have thought that a major snow storm would have followed it in. It has now settled to a brisk breeze, but I don’t think I’ve really warmed up yet! I am warming up to some garden art though. I haven’t quite got ready to plant flowers outside–I think we could still get a freeze, maybe a snow! but it’s not too early to plant art in the garden to brighten any spot.

This is a picture of one of the rooster windows that features a black copper maran cock.

I’ve also been painting old wooden windows with flowers and roosters to hang indoors or out. The shabby chic windows are beautiful hanging on your wooden fence or brick garden wall. They are a great way to brighten your garden while waiting for those annuals to fill the garden with beautiful blooms. So far I’ve painted a rooster, poppies, hollyhocks, and sunflowers. These paintings and bells are available in my gallery–Sentosa–#102 in East Wing of the Galleries at Sunset (3701 Plains Blvd, Amarillo, TX). I’m there most days, but you can call 806 676-1733 just to be sure–sometimes I am out working on a project or painting outdoors or at a ballgame–our grand-daughter Bailey’s softball team is in the playoffs. All of the galleries will be open Friday, May 7th for the First Friday Art Walk from 5-9 pm.

I am just so excited about the things that are happening in my life as an artist. I am getting a new studio/gallery. For the last few years, I have shared a studio with two painting friends and I’m not moving because I’m mad or crazy, but I just want more space and i want the space to be all mine. I don’t really think I’m being selfish, I think they are as excited about me leaving as I am about me leaving. They are making our old space theirs.

A special artist friend, Barbara Weaving Lines, is moving from Amarillo to St. Helens, Oregon. I will really miss her when she’s gone. She’s got a great sense of humor and is so much fun to talk to. she was a teacher too, and we have a lot in common. But she has been a professional artist for many years, and now I am moving into her studio and taking on that role myself.

I hope Barbara will channel her energy and knowledge of art business to me. Even though I have every reason to worry a little about this huge leap of faith that I’m taking, I’m not even worried. My horoscope keeps saying that this is my year to do something with my career and my life–so I am! And I really have faith that it is going to work out! I am becoming a professional artist. I’m really taking this seriously. No longer is my art just a hobby that I do to keep myself busy–I’ve never needed something to keep me busy. My art has always been a serious endeavor, but now–I’m really getting serious–even have a business plan!

I will have so much more room, more room to show my work, more room to work, room to think, more room to store my important art stuff! I will have room to have all of my stuff at the studio where it needs to be. I will have a space for a small office with my art books, my computer, my stuff for selling online and shipping, putting my compositions together, and working on grants for the Amarillo Art Institute and Mission: Freedom’s Children. I am helping the founder put her foundation together. They will fund education and work to meet the needs of families and children of veterans as they return from Iraq and Afghanistan. This new studio will have plenty of workroom and room to be truly organized. As soon as I get moved in, I will post pictures and have a party–a grand opening with all of my new paintings.

I have been painting a series of roosters and chickens. I just finished a huge, bigger than life rooster strutting across a barnyard. Another painting is a black hen with her small gray chicks nestled around her with eggs peeking out from under her wings. Another group of little yellow chicks are around a small feeder. I have a few more small rooster paintings and a couple of windows with chickens and roosters.

sunsets are another series that I will hang. I have a trityptch that is a sky going from hot tumultuous clouds to a peaceful blue, clear sky with a few puffy cotton clouds. I have several landscapes that I have worked on this year and finished in the last few months. Finally I have a group of paintings with children. Some of my grandchildren and some of the children of friends. I want to promote my “genre” paintings of children that show the wonder of the moment–a slice of life in the day of a child or children. For years, children have been one of my favorite subjects and are found in many of my favorite paintings.

#102, studio sentosa is the name of my studio and gallery. “Sentosa” is a Thai word that means tranquility. Heaven only knows that I can use some tranquility and really nothing gives me peace like creating, whether it is writing or painting or knitting or stringing beads.

I hope that you will enjoy the tour of my new studio and gallery at Sunset Center in Amarillo, Texas as soon as I get moved in and take some pictures. Or better yet, come to the Grand Opening of #102, studio sentosa.

Painting is like so many other skills, practice makes you better! I’ve realized that when I get to paint a lot, not only does it get easier for me, but my paintings really get better. I have been painting quite a bit lately and I think it shows. This is my newest painting. It’s a commission. I don’t consider myself a portrait painter, but I love to paint people doing things that they do–playing, working, busy with life. This client, the mother, gave me full control as an artist. A friend of mine who is a photographer and I both took pictures of these sisters one windy, summer day–out in the pasture, near a creek and a cabin. The mom never looked at the photos, told me to pick the one that I thought would make the best painting. She probably didn’t realize how smart that really was. But any artist will do a better job when given the freedom to make those decisions that make art. My goal for this painting was to capture this moment with Jordan and Maddy! We had been shooting for a while when one of them said, “Let’s have a conference.” And they put their heads together to plan a new way to sabotage that photo shoot (LOL)! Little did they know that it would be the shot of the day! I want the viewer to feel as if he/she is stepping into their world and sharing that moment with them. That was my goal. A camera can capture their likeness–but it takes an artist to capture the passion of that moment, the love between sisters, the excitement of the plan. But on top of that–it really does look like those two beautiful little girls. I hope this will be a treasured possession for many years to come! It brought joy and confidence to this artist. I’ve had many great art teachers since I’ve started painting. Each one has given me a different gift. Lou Hansen has been my mentor for over 30 years and has taught me so much about how to paint. Another of my favorite teachers is Marilyn Yanke. Just looking at one of her beautiful paintings is an inspiration. She is a very intuitive person and has such natural ability when it comes to design and color. She taught me to allow myself into each painting that I do. Developing a style of my own has become a goal for me. I’d like to think that one of these days, people would see one of my paintings and know that I painted it by the style, colors, design–just like when you see Marilyn’s work–you know she is the only one that could have done that particular painting.

Guadalapita is a village between Angel Fire and Las Vegas, New Mexico. You go through it when you take the road through Black Lake on the way home to Amarillo. It was a beautiful sunny autumn day and we stopped to take in the foliage. This little chapel is nestled in the village. During Jack Sorenson’s workshop, I painted this 12 x 12 on a studio wrap. I may do a little more touch up and details, but it’s pretty much finished. I have a couple of more canvases this size. I’m going to paint a couple of autumn in New Mexico landscapes. The aspens were almost gone when we were there, but the cottonwoods were glorious.

This week I’m painting in a workshop with Jack Sorenson. I went to elementary school with Jack and his brother Mike was my first boyfriend back in 1st grade. He grew up on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon at Six Gun City,  a tourist attraction that showed the wild west as it was years ago. Jack had a natural talent for drawing and is vying for the top of the field among those cowboy and western artists. His sense of humor often comes out in his paintings and they tell a story through the landscape, people, and animals that find their way onto his canvas. Jack is a true storyteller, but he uses his paints and brushes where authors use words. In this case–a picture is really worth a thousand words. Every person who sees the painting is able to write their own story. In every workshop, I learn something. But  a truly great teacher gives you much more. Jack does so much to build the knowledge of his students and help us to know the elements of form that will make our paintings please others. But what he does best as a teacher is to instill confidence in his students. He makes you feel so good about what you are doing. He makes you a better artist because he gives you the encouragement you need to go to the next level as an artist. If you ever get a chance to meet Jack Sorenson –don’t let it pass you by. He’s a great artist–but even more, he’s a great guy, and I so appreciate him giving us his time and expertise during this week. I’m attaching the work I finished today. This study is a young man, Jake with his horse. He found some sweet feed to treat him with and put it in his hat! What a treat after a long, hot ride. It’s another moment in time I’m trying to capture! Let me know how I did!

Here are some of my newest paintings. I am showing them in the front room of studio sentosa this month at Sunset Center in Amarillo. These were started in Colorado painting plein aire and then finished back in the studio. Come by and see them.

I have been busy perfecting my doll case–it will make a great Christmas present for any little girl and her most precious possession–her favorite doll!

Made from a strong upcycled suitcase, this new product is eco-friendly! Let’s keep those beautiful vintage suitcases out of the landfill and give them new use!

This case pictured is made for Josefina, an American Girl Doll who lived in New Mexico in the 1800′s. She has a beautiful pueblo style home and garden, a bedroom and closet to store all of her clothes and accessories.

This beautiful Samsonite case is handpainted and textured. The outside shows the home and garden and inside her dresser and mirror are painted. It makes a beautiful dollhouse that any young girl would love to play with. She can store her treasures with her doll in this attractive case.

Please check out these pictures! The suitcase along sales for $195 with free shipping in the U.S. It includes the suitcase alone with 4 wire heart hangers.

The doll and clothing is available, along with the horno oven, and handmade peppers, basket, bread and wooden spatula.  Send me an email if you are interested! I can customize the case for your child’s doll or for your decor. This is all hand painted, one of a kind artwork. If you have a special suitcase you would like to have customized, please let me know. I will be limited as to how many I can make before Christmas.

I recently completed about 4 abstract paintings and they are all hanging in studio sentosa–#109 in The Galleries at Sunset, Sunset Center, Amarillo, Texas. I used my favorite colors and thought about the sunsets in the Texas Panhandle. One of the paintings is called Lightning. I can see a late afternoon lightning storm on the high plains, but it could be anything to anybody. I have always felt painting is as much about the process as the final product. I had fun with colors and seeing how they work with each other. Studying the composition and design makes me a better artist and I felt that this type of art would help me to loosen up in my style. I really enjoyed the process and I love the end product too. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.