Thes are pictures of my most recent mural, of the Japanese goddess Kwan Yin. She holds a willow stick which represents being strong but flexible, and a vase so she can pour compassion on the world. When she is shown with a dragon, she is bringing prosperity to fishermen. The mural is on a curved wall that is roughly 13 x 13 feet.

This mural was painted this summer in a foyer in a high rise condo. The mural has a carefree theme that does much to brighten an otherwise dark space. The owner was going through some major changes in her life, and this mural helped to underscore her determination to not allow life’s setbacks to define her. The entire condo reflected that in the playful theme she had chosen.

Anyway, when is the last time you checked out downtown Fort Myers? There are new restaurants, clubs, and it all feels fun and festive. I see new art galleries opening, new funky clothing stores – please go down and support them, and more will follow. I have been single for about a year now, and have ventured out for a meal alone in downtown Fort Myers a couple of times, and have always had a good time, and have stories to tell later. We have a special place that we need to take advantage of.

I promised to post my cockatoo painting, and here it is:

Rosita

I will be bringing the original and some prints to the Saturday Art Fair on October 8th. (11-4 pm) My booth is across the street from Starbucks on 1st Street. Hope to see you there!

"Jackson"

If you explore my earlier posts, you will find the preliminary drawing of Jackson. Here is his finished painting.

My son, Jackson.

This is the preliminary drawing of my son, Jackson, who is 18 years old, and has joined the Marines. He leaves in December, and it is my goal to capture him in this moment in time. He may look like a man, but he still has a trace of a boy in his face.

Martha, Natasha, Amy, Dean

I need to get out more. Too much work and no play makes a dull artist. My art reception at Harbour View Gallery at the Habour Marina went well, fun was had by all. I later enjoyed dinner with friends at “The Joint” a nearby restaurant in the Harbour Marina, and listened to live music in the courtyard afterwards. They have music every Tuesday night, I am told, and an outdoor bar called Longboard’s - great place to meet people – had several people strike up conversations with me. I felt welcomed and comfortable and wished I could have stayed longer.

Can you believe the next time I can show there is March 2013.

I sold a few paintings already,  and had to run some more out to the gallery. Hopefully I will sell out – just being optimistic!

I just finished an oil painting of a cockatoo - will post it soon.

I am finally doing what I should have done a long time ago - offering prints of my work. I ordered some prints of about 17 images, in 8 x10 and 11 x 14 sizes, and brought them to the Harbour View Gallery in Cape Coral, FL, where they will remain until the end of July. I will keep you posted about how to get them after that.

I wanted to mention that I participated in a portrait painting workshop with Douglas Flynt this past spring that was phenominal. It was 2 weeks of concentrated study on drawing and oil painting, working on a single subject, a young woman who modeled for the entire 2 weeks. I am so inspired by all I learned, and it has had a profound effect on my work. I also met some other fine artists, and was intruduced to the president of the Portrait and Figure Painters Society of SW Florida, Renate Reuter, and am now a member. I feel like I am now a part of a group of artists (like a “salon” )

Also, I T By The Sea (a computer repair and consultation company) is featuring my business - Follow Your Art, LLC as their business of the month, and conducted an interview with me  last week that I am hoping to get a link to shortly on You Tube.

That is all for now – I need to upload some new work, and there is plenty of it.

Harbour View Gallery, Cape Harbor, Florida

Hi Everyone!

My work will be on display at the Harbour View Gallery in Cape Coral through July. The gallery is located at 5789 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Harbour in Cape Coral.
It is open from 11 – 8 daily.

July 6, 2011: Art Reception for Martha J. Dodd
Join us at the Harbour View Gallery, at the very south end of Chiquita Boulevard in Cape Coral, Florida for a review my tropical paintings. Enjoy a view of the marina, and dining at RumRunner’s, as well as the work of several other artists. I will be the visiting artist for the month of July. Wine and light fare will be served.

This Undersea Mural was completed February 2011, and it was a ton of fun!
Marty Koehler assisted me, and it took about 3 weeks.

Click here to view the embedded video.