Martha Kisling Colorful Contemporary Art

Beome an Artist

SHADES OF PEACH

Watercolor - 11x14

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Art has always been a part of my life, ever since I was a child and I was lucky to have parents that encouraged me.

I meet a lot of people who say that they would like to become an artist but are not sure how to begin..

My advice to them is to:

Start today, take one small step and don't keep putting it off.

Join a community of other artists, it helps to have the support of other creative people

Find a small space or table in your home where you can set out your art supplies & create

Carve out time to practice, you are worth the commitment

Be gentle with yourself. This is a lifetime creative journey to savor & enjoy!

ROSES & Summertime

ROSES

Watercolor - 11x14

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Summer seems to be flying by, I can't believe August is almost here!

I love painting roses, especially when I can take a loose approach to their perfect forms. I began this painting with wet paper and a random application of pastel colors for the background. When everything was dry, I used negative painting to create the overall shape of the roses and their individual petals. A few leaves and some stems were added for the final touches.

SUNFLOWERS

Watercolor - 11x14

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While working in the studio this week I started thinking about the process of making a piece of art. The way one mark leads to another, like steps along a path to a place I can't quite see clearly yet. To a destination that will suddenly come in to view as along as I keep moving forward.

In our artistic journey we are constantly exploring and experimenting with the hope that all of that will lead us to a creative and exciting piece of art. There is always something a little bit scary about starting a new painting but we just have to trust that if we follow and enjoy the process of creating, we will get there eventually.

SUMMER SONG - Plein Air Painting

SUMMER SONG

Watercolor - 11x14

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I painted SUMMER SONG while sitting outside of a friend's house in the foothills of Colorado Springs, CO. Several of us had gathered to paint plein air while sitting out on her deck and I looked over and saw a hanging basket with pretty white flowers spilling over the edges.

I quickly wet my paper and used a palette knife to apply paint straight from the tubes to create an abstract background. Then, I used a brush and negative painting to define the white blossoms, adding centers and shadows to enhance each flower. Such a fun afternoon!