Marla's Art

09/05/2026

Here are my finished ceramic pieces. They are designed to be hung, but will also display on a flat surface. Many thanks to Harry Siter for leading me into ceramics, for mentoring me and overseeing the firing of these pieces.

09/05/2026

Yesterday at Drop In Art. I switched gears. I have been working on a piece that I have tentatively titled "After the Gym" and gotten very frustrated depicting angles, perspective and the intimacy of the women and decided to put it aside for a time and revisit it later.

I returned to my "men in my family series". This is a preliminary sketch of great grandson Kaleb, who is walking off the lacrosse field. I think the finger up signifies victory! The photo I am working from is a study in light, tone and shadow. I need to work more on his facial features and refine the shadows.

08/26/2026

Listing to Dolly Parton, perhaps our country's most well loved musical artist, amd celebrating her life. Join me.

Dolly Parton · album · 1974 · 14 songs

08/23/2026

August 23, 2024. I gave Angelique the keys to her new Habitat for Humanity home and a watercolor portrait I did of her. She was a single mother of three and worked for over a year to fulfill all the requirements. The second picture shows Charlie Buchanan, Habitat for Humanity Tucson, CEO at the dedication. In the pictures on this page you will find a portrait I did of Charlie.

08/21/2026

I have been working on something for awhile that I want to be 14" X 11" in watercolor, maybe oil. It will be one of my larger pieces. I began by drawing the subjects to perfect facial features. Next I sketched out the scene and inserted the subjects. I liked the way t the subjects turned out, but something was missing and I got frustrated overt the shape of a silly window.

At Drop In Art today I was objectively critiqued by two other artists and given the excellent suggestion of drawing the piece in miniature and concentrate on shading and value. Voila! I could immediately understand why I was frustrated and heading in the wrong direction.

08/17/2026

The art of Niger, Africa, collected on my two trips there, once for two weeks as a tourist camping with the native Taruge and Waddabe tribes. The second was as part of a medical mission. Both trips were headed by my cousin Leslie Clark, founder to the Nomad Foundation. https://nomadfoundation.org/. Leslie is a wonderful artist and I am fortunate to have one of her pieces. https://nomadgal.com/paintings/

The pieces are made of leather, probably sheep. The large piece is used as a pannier for camels. The "purse" was worn by a tribal official, The smaller objects were gifts from tribesmen. The craft that goes into these pieces is amazing.

08/14/2026

A practice drawing that will be part of a larger piece with two women, probably in watercolor.

08/10/2026

This week was about the Art of Food. Catch the details of my grandson chef Sam' special dinner on my personal FB page and salavaite.

08/06/2026

There were only two of us at Portrait Group today. Using oils, I tried suggestions and ended up with a mess, but I know I learned. I was frustrated and at one time thought that I go back watercolor, something I have become more proficient at. I won't post what I did today, as it is pretty frightening.

08/01/2026

I have paints and a desktop easel. I met a talented artist this week who no longer wanted to do oil painting. I bought oil paints, an easel and some brushes. I am set if I want to try oils.

I will be glad when I can get back, or get compensated by the moving company, for my 4 drawer desktop mobile easel, all my missing watercolor paints, brushes, etc.

The photo shows my acquisitions. The painting you see was my first attempt at oil many months ago. I love John Sargent Singer.