Pop Culture and Life Lessons

I firmly believe that if you keep your eyes and ears open, there is something very valuable to learn about life everywhere you look. I recently had a giveaway on my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/marybelmartin/) and I asked the winners if they had any suggestions. One of them suggested Ponyo and the other "anything, I love color". I wanted to draw these pieces in my usual "confessional art" style, and this is what happened... enjoy!

Drawlloween! Part One

October is the month in which Drawlloween happens. Artists follow a list of things to draw everyday for the entire month of October. Although there are officially two more days left until October ends I wanted to share some of the drawings. Here are the first five I made. I joined in late and put devil, ghost, goblin together to catch up. Enjoy!

Devil • Ghost • Goblin

Vampire

Werewolf

Haunted House

Pumpkin

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo,

Marybel

Here They Are!

I will be participating in a show on November 17th at Swoon Gallery in Newport Coast California. The show is called Get the Lead Out VII. It's by appointment only, so if you're interested in attending contact swoongallery.com

I am so excited to show you the pieces that I made! I hope you like them.


The ghostbats represent fear. If you allow fear to take over, it can rule your world. The first piece is when my fears were so big, it felt like they were constantly chasing me. The more I was afraid, the bigger they got.

The ghostbat has gotten so big, that you could allow it to kill you, if you're not careful. In other words, you can end up with fear your entire life and allow it to become a normal presence.

This piece is about finding that oasis where you can rest, although you know the ghostbats are still there.

This one is about embracing your fears instead of running away from them, when you really look at them and feel the pain and anxiety, they subside and you can be free of them.

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo,

Marybel

Craziness in the Studio

Things have been crazy for the past few weeks. I've had to bring my boys into the studio to get stuff done. Lots of work to do, but it's been exciting!

Bubbles and YouTube

Some "fuel" for creativity

Three large wooden panels in the process of being blocked in. 

Chaos on the table. Help!

Xoxo,

Marybel

A Little Magic to Thank You

     

I wanted to thank all of the wonderful people that follow my pencil and paintbrush on a daily basis. I had a giveaway on my Instagram account and I randomly picked a winner. The winner got this original sketch filled with magic and wonder. 

xoxo,

Marybel

Want to Take a Peek?

I'm very excited about my show at Swoon Gallery in Los Angeles! The show is called "Get the Lead Out" and opens in October! Here are some details of the pieces I've been working on. Enjoy!

xoxo,

Marybel

What Have I Been Up To?

Summer is going so fast! It's true what they say about "time flies when you're having fun". I have been working on my "Dear Diary" project all summer. It is a personal account of what happened after my divorce. It's in illustrated form in a surrealist, fantastical style. Here are a couple of examples. Enjoy! If you would like to follow my daily entries, why don't you follow me on Instagram? https://instagram.com/marybelmartin/

A Miniature Portrait

Working on such a small scale is challenging, but a very intimate experience. I am so close to the canvas and concentrated on such a small space that it creates a very special connection with the piece. This tiny portrait, Sofia, is 2 inches by 2 inches. I used acrylic paints and very very thin brushes.

I painted the sides and edges gold, this gave the piece the feeling of those 18th century miniature portraits people used historically to introduce each other from a distance. I added my personal touch with a gossipy bird in the frame.

Finally, I painted a Jo Malone perfume box with her name.

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo,

Marybel

The Sisters

Those of you who have sisters know that you go through phases. Sometimes you are best friends with each other, sometimes you detest each other, sometimes you support, sometimes you ignore, but you always, always love each other. The Sisters is inspired on that dynamic. The relationship that only sisters understand.

Here is the original drawing:

This is Cian, my son, and my model.

xoxo,

Marybel

Want to see my Thesis Proposal?

This past term has been absolutely bonkers! I did not paint one thing because I was working on my Thesis Proposal. I drew many pieces in my sketchbook as references for future paintings. I presented to a panel of professors on May 5th. It was surreal (like my paintings) and nerve-racking! Here are some snapshots of the process. Just three more days and this term is over!

This was during my presentation. It was a full house. Lots of friendly faces there to support. It felt great to have all of those wonderful people there!

 Notes for my presentation to make sure I did not forget anything...

The schedule

Practicing, practicing, practicing!

Part of my presentation, these are some my influences:

A drawing from my sketchbook, this may be a painting soon.

The idea is to encase my paintings in tiny dollhouse frames.

Wish me luck! Now to dive into the actual project. As always, thanks for stopping by! xoxo

Keep Working

It Always Comes Back

Dear Diary

Artists' sketchbook are very personal. It's a place where we doodle, draw, plan and dream. Want to peek at mine? 

Thanks for stopping by!

Xoxo

My Sketchbook

I use my sketchbook as a diary of sorts. I like to draw thoughts, worries and dreams. They all come to life on the pages of my sketchbook. Take a look!

Thanks for stopping by! Xoxo