New Work Now Showing!

My most recent project, a grid of twelve, 12" x 12", paintings, entitled "Aviary"  is now showing at the Women Painters of Washington Gallery (701 5th Ave., 3 level, Seattle WA) in the Columbia Tower Bldg.  I was a nervous ninny about hanging a grid, but it was easier than expected.

I do hope you can stop in to see the show.   This is the WPW Members Spring Exhibition, so you can see an abundance of fantastic art!  

One of Mom's passions.

I just finished  a "lyttle" project in the studio....I completed a 12 piece grid of 12" x 12" paintings.  It was great fun to do!
One of my earliest memories  was going into the aviary  with my mother.  She raised parakeets and canaries (along with 4 kids, dogs, sheep, horses and a few other critters).  The aviary  was just outside our back door and occasionally I was invited to go in with Mom....a very special deal for me!   The flutter, chirps and happenings of the birds always so impressed  me.  Mom even showed me how to get a bird to sit on my finger...wow!
So, this grid is a tribute to one of Mom's passions..birds.
Here is one of the pieces.

(I've used cockatoos instead of parakeets because I like to draw/paint them (artistic license).

Rain, rain, rain!

It's no surprise, but it's raining like cats and dogs (or should I say "Cougs" and "Dawgs")  here in Seattle.  We're experiencing a "Pineapple Express" storm straight from Hawaii....warm and wet, wet, wet!
Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to post another recent painting, entitled
"Fall, Float".  
Now I need to venture  out and  check the drains to make sure they aren't clogged with leaves!

Snug By the Fire

My husband and I recently purchased a fireplace insert.  As it turned out, we
got it just in  time  to snuggle  by the fireside while Seattle had its first snow storm of the season.  I've always loved watching flames dance and flicker in a fireplace, and I began to wonder how I could paint that mood.   This is my attempt to capture the
spirit of the fire.  Hope it warms you.

Bugs Buzzing

As I continue to play with abstraction, my need to add 'whimsey' keeps sneaking

into the painting.  This time it sort of took over as I kept adding dragon flies and lady bugs!  (My Muse made me do it!)  I wanted to catch a bit of the chaotic beauty found in Nature.  Using simple repeating patterns, textures, and color I am trying to  invite the viewer into mood, a place, and  a smile.

Abstract thinking lingers.

This painting, "Tree in Pink", was painted a few months ago....I was focusing on
composition, color, repeating simple shapes and stopped when I liked it.
Today, I find myself looking at it through a different lens, as the temperature is now

below 20 degrees and Fall is being ravished by the first snowy  winter storm.  "Tree in Pink" is looking more like a "Frosty Kiss to Fall".

Abstract Play!!!

I've been absorbed in exploring  the world of abstract painting.  And because I
need some sort of anchor in my work, I decided to circle around a few important concepts for me....they are:  organic, pattern, random, symbolic, pleasing, composition,  texture, mood,.....the list morphs and matures as I explore.  I love

dancing with my Muse.

Although I have been negligent in keeping my blog current, I have been busy and happy with life and gestating a new/old  creative inkling... I've started a new body of work using some old pastel paintings that have been sitting around in the studio.  I used them as fertile, pigment rich ground for  a new series..... abstract paintings done with pastel, acrylic and gesso.  I'm loving the process!  (I had actually done some of these about 10 yrs ago, but have solved a technical problem that blocked me).  Here is a  peak at one of my 
newest!  

Serenity

Although I have been working on this painting for a few weeks, off & on, I finished it this afternoon!  It was the mood I was going for here...serenity is what I find whenever I'm in this little corner of my garden, thus it's name.

New Gallery

I  am delighted to have been invited to have representation with the new "Olivia Cromwell Fine Art Gallery" in Bellingham (Fairhaven), WA.
The official opening is tomorrow!  :


          March 11th, 6-9pm
          1312 11th Street
          Belllingham WA 98225


I'll be there for the reception and look forward to meeting the other artists and guests.  There will be live music, good nibbles and fine company.  Love to have you stop by.

More Garden Paintings

I've been over due for a bit of a vacation...so this is the week!  I've been painting daily, gardening and enjoying a few local outings with my wonderful hubby, Alex.  I'm continuing to paint my garden series and finding new inspiration with this early Spring we're having.  Here is one of my newest, hot off the easel!  Enjoy!

Fleur-de-lis Fine Art Gallery

  Out of the blue, I got an email from a new gallery in Bellingham, WA that wants to represent my work. It is  called Fleur-de-lis Fine Art Gallery,  in Fairhaven ( a lovely little historic, artsy, and  touristy neighborhood in Bellingham).  They plan to open the gallery to  coincide with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, BC.  Next week!
I'm planning to load up the Subaru this morning and deliver the paintings.  Can't wait!

New Show at WPW

facebook.martilyttle.com

"Bachelor Buttons" is one of my recent paintings that will be showing in the next Women Painters of Washington Gallery.  The show will be up Feb - April.  
I have 4 paintings in the show.  If you haven't yet discovered the gallery, I encourage you to stop by (M-F, 10-4pm) (Columbia Tower Bldg., 701 5th Ave., Seattle).  
I'm looking forward to expanding my garden paintings, especially as Spring is just around the corner!  

"Last to Fall"

The last day of the year and I've spent the afternoon finishing several paintings and tidying things up in the studio.
Earlier, I  'took down' some of my work that was in a  'holiday show'.  As I packed those paintings away, I wondered where I might show them next.  I also noted how  much I do want my paintings to find homes...and then my 'muse' suggested that I create an "adopt a Painting" program.  "Ha!", I thought... "something to consider!"

Thus, I am floating the idea...

Successful Show

Our Art Salon Holiday Show  yesterday was a great success!  We had a wonderful turn out and red dots were everywhere!!!  I'm pleased to say I sold 9 paintings!  YEA!!!! (Most were from my 'Studio Clearance' Bin, but I'm delighted that these found loving homes!

This Sunday, 'Art Salon' Reception and Sale, Sale, Sale!!!

My art salon group is having a great little   pre-holiday sale/show this Sunday, Nov. 15th, 3-7pm at the  Union Street Art Cooperative Bldg., 1100 Union, Seattle, Wa.
You are all invited!!!

It should prove to be great fun and a chance to see and purchase wonderful and wildly diverse paintings....and who knows who you'll meet there!  .... Plus  lots of affordable art!

We are a group of artists that meet monthly to discuss painting,  marketing, and lots of artsy geeky gab.

Members include:
Robin Stacey Richardson...  master expressionist! ...large canvases  with rich and sensuous  layers  of paint/ color / surprise / intrigue! .... a must see!!!!!

Jennifer Randall...  an incredible designer of space, placement and color ... and when she puts her hand to a brush, magic happens!
Randy Hillam... a true artisan with pigment and paint!  He often pushes his paintings  to  their fullest  with results that are subtle and beautiful!
Marti Force...another gifted designer  and textile artist with incredible talent.  She  also paints with both oils and watercolor.
Mary Bennett...  a creator of  wonderful abstracts that evoke familiar  yet mysterious feelings.
Kate Anthony.....a master sumi painter and print maker.... she has expanded into the world of acrylics....again with  an abundance of talent and aptitute!
Jerry Greenblatt...Although relatively new to painting, he demonstrates a talent few possess...You must see his work!
Linda Brady...The essence of both class and spunk!  Linda has an amazing talent for finding  elements worth focusing on...using both abstract  and expressionist approaches, she is a rising star worth watching!
Randi Startup.... a  multitalented dedicated  profesional artist, gifted in iconic painting as well as pottery.
 Marti Lyttle...
An artist  with a fickle muse...I love to experiment and explore the  possibilities of acrylics and mixed media.... there is so much to say and so many ways to say it.

Come to the show and enjoy the  art!

Deer Harbor

I recently enjoyed a little get away on Orcas Island, WA.  We stayed in a resort in Deer Harbor.  This painting was inspired by a late morning walk along the beach at low tide.  The fog bank was just burning off.  

Sold!

Thanks to Facebook and blogging, I sold (more truthfully, I bartered) this piece !!!!!!!!   (Please see my last image of Lilly Leaves!)

I guess there really is something to this blogging thing!

I think I've finished another painting in my "Garden" series.  This one was the most challenging for me to paint with the leaves so large, but fun.

Return to the studio!

I finally had a chance to paint again today (after a hiatus of travel and commitments)....it felt so good to be in my little studio again and start a fresh canvas.... yahoo!... I imagine other artists know of what I speak.  I felt grounded and centered....a coming home if you will.... its time to further my garden series as well as the abstract project that seems to have a will of it's own!
Here is one of 3 "Vessel" paintings to be shown at our Art Salon Holiday Sale and Party in November.