martinadesigns

“Two Souls” is my latest donation piece.

“Two Souls” 18” x 24” Mixed Medía on Ampersand Archival 3” deep gallery board

Two Souls

These are two souls connecting

Going out into their world and taking on whatever comes.

These two souls are all of us .

I have been creating them with all colors of all humanity and details of all genders. My intention is that you can see yourself in them. The two figures are soft and matte and united with mark making and mediums, and they are in contrast to their world around them which is wild and free and shiny and open to however they see it.

They remain close and connected and in harmony.

I have left two clear symbols of heart love in the open spaces to remind us that there is always hope and love for us all to believe,

to look for, and when you can’t find it on your own space, turn to someone to help you see it.

We are the soft explorers journeying each day into the unknown but with the tender and trusted connection, so close to so many souls we know, and also those we have not met yet.

We carry all those other lights and souls that we are connected to in every breath.

For my singing sisters,especially…

I searched long and deep to create this piece for all of us. It has lived and grown in my studio for many months, and some days I have only glanced at it and other days it has been a deep wonder, and a changing.

You are all my community. When I open and sing and blend with you where I can’t hear myself, it is then that I soar.

When I open and sing and harmonize with you and my own soul is united with yours and becomes even more beautiful I soar.

When I see you do a kindness for me or someone you don’t even know I soar in connection and gratitude.

NOW accepting students for Private Art Instruction, any age, all mediums. Please email me at: martina@martinadesigns.com

Build your own workshop with your friends or meet new makers at the lake studio: email: martina@martinadesigns.com

Cards for the Knights Against Hunger, “Empty Bowls” Fundraiser

Please email me @ martina@martinadesigns.com if you would like to purchase some cards. Thank you

5” x 7” Cards with handmade paper from an old Dutch paper mill and then shaped into a hearts.

The hearts are then lovingly bathed in pigment (and love)! All proceeds are given to the Knights Against Hunger

The Center for Hope & Wellness

HOPE REALIZED!

Into the Sisterhood….

Here I stand with my four daughters in front of the my “The Sisterhood” piece. I am SO, SO grateful to have these four women in my life. I also realize the opportunity and privilege I was able to provide for them. Helping them to become strong women, mothers and sisters. I am so lucky.

I am deeply humbled and honored to have created 20 pieces of art and poetry for the Center for Hope & Wellness. A place where they might provide some joy, comfort or hope for pregnant or nearly postpartum women seeking recovery from substance use and co-occuring disorders AND the wonderful, caring staff. Art DOES make a difference!

Southern NH, the greater Rochester area, the women, the children, all the impacted families all say “Thank you” for making it happen. Together we can! Thank you.

The new New Hope and Wellness Center in Rochester NH., provides treatment to pregnant or nearly postpartum women seeking recovery from substance use and co-occuring disorders and will also support them with education classes, a childcare center, a resale shop and much more.

I hope you enjoy the collection below as much as I enjoyed creating it. Click on any image to make “The Hope” bigger!

Above is my Hope on Haven Hill series. An expressive collection of what is inside me that I want or need to give out. A shared experience from me to you.

Creating for me has always been that. Something inside me that I need to see realized. Something that just comes to me and I join in.

In this focus I have written short poems as well as made visual presentations of positive emotions that I hope will connect with people.

I researched and express positive feelings and content that joins us together in our shared humanness; our community of sameness. My belief is in the goodness in all of us.

These visual expressions as well as the written parallel words are two different paths for me to reach out. Two different ways of leaning in, respecting and acknowledging that each of us approaches and enters differently.

My personal and professional goal for this body of work is to get it into public spaces, ideally nursing homes, medical centers, shelters, hospice locations, etc… Places where people are more vulnerable and need that extra support. You can see an example below the series gallery. My dreams are always big. My hope is constant.

Martina

Growing Hope!

Here is a small indication of what went into creating the collection.

The ART is up!

Here I am with Kerry Norton, co founder and Executive Director.

Kerry is also the recipient of the NH Impact Award and the Outstanding Women in Business Recipient.

I am honored to have my collection in such a worthwhile and necessary women’s center..

New Center for Hope and Wellness

Opened on May 17th, 2023!

This center in Rochester NH., was created for these strong amazing women to honor them and support them with recovery . The Center will expand all outpatient Services and will offer childcare for all programs so that Moms and their children don’t have to choose between receiving treatment and being with their children. This initiative supports families recovering and believes that families belong together.

See what else is happening in my studio…

Welcome!

I continually aspire to be an Egalitarian Artist.

I believe that Art is a non-confrontational way of guiding us all to consider and see opportunities of common hopes and goals. We are more similar than we are different. Trained to observe and act, I believe I have a responsibility to make and give.

I create some Art where all the profits go back to charity, specifically to women and children in need as well as food insecurity, as this is near and dear to my heart.

I also create commissioned pieces to keep the lights on, and to keep me thriving in crackers, bold coffee and red wine when I am not feeling like being responsible in eating my vegetables! You can go to the “Collaborations” heading at the top of this home page to see some of the work I have created for others. Email me if you have an idea for a commissioned piece. I have done many many subject matters, and in all different mediums. martina@martinadesigns.com

I also run lake retreat workshops .You can go to the “learning” heading at the top of this page to learn more, You can connect with me to design your own workshop, and that way I can give you exactly what you are wishing for!

I believe that observation, lots of practice, risk taking and giving yourself grace will get us there in any aspiration we have.

My favorite motto or quote is from that freckled face, goofy Pippy Longstocking character. “I have never tried that before so I think that I should definitely be able to do that!”

Be well!