Martha Lay 10/3/24 Martha Lay 10/3/24

Autumn Art

Autumn is fully upon us. I know this, not just because coffee shops have pumpkin lattes...The summer’s shimmering heat that hovers over our city sidewalks and plazas has given way to cloudy mornings, cool afternoon breezes and some needed evening rainfall. For me, Autumn has always been a time to turn inward, check in with what matters and begin to shed the unnecessary the way trees shed their leaves...

Martha Lay 9/26/24 Martha Lay 9/26/24

Part Two: Be a Jack (or Jill) of All Trades

Although I’ve dabbled in many arts and crafts, I now enjoy going deeper with painting and am able to enjoy the process of stepping into its’ challenges. I grow from the daily ups and downs of practice. The constant? My love of storytelling, color, and creative process. Here’s some of what I’ve learned as a Jill of All Trades. I hope it inspires you by showing the value of trying out what you are curious or passionate about.

Martha Lay 9/19/24 Martha Lay 9/19/24

Part One: Jack (or Jill) of All Trades

Multidisciplinarian artists, pursuing a variety of arts and crafts.The original version, "a jack of all trades", has often been used as a description of a person who is good at fixing things and has a good level of broad knowledge.But maybe women are often unnoticed “Jills of All Trades.” Usually juggling kids, jobs, household chores, errands and extended family care. Our creativity is channeled but often not in a singular or focused way. Being a "Jill of all trades" can enrich and inform your current art pursuits.

Martha Lay 9/12/24 Martha Lay 9/12/24

Art and Scavenger Hunts

Read about collecting items from nature each day while walking the dog and creating art from them. Art can be made from the tiniest of treasures and reminds us to pay attention to the natural world

Martha Lay 9/5/24 Martha Lay 9/5/24

Painting through Pain and Hope

Art inspires and heals us. Read about how painting a series of birds, listening to music, and laughter help soothe and give hope during a difficult time.

Martha Lay 8/29/24 Martha Lay 8/29/24

5 Reasons to Make Self-Portraits

You don’t have to be an artist to have fun sketching self-portraits. Here are five reasons to make self-portraits and some suggestions to have fun as a beginner. Being creative is a process of learning and self-portraits are like a visual diary of yourself.

Martha Lay 8/22/24 Martha Lay 8/22/24

Learning by Repetition

Take a peek at my process of repeatedly painting blackbirds. Learn from painting the same subject multiple times.

Martha Lay 8/15/24 Martha Lay 8/15/24

How Art Transforms Loneliness

Balancing solitude and community is part of the discovery of a an artist’s life and daily practice. In this blog I examine the difference between loneliness and solitude and how art-making transforms our feelings.

Martha Lay 8/8/24 Martha Lay 8/8/24

Painting Flower Portraits

Learn about my inspiration and reflections of painting flowers. I see the process as creating portraits in nature and honoring the change of seasons.

Martha Lay 6/30/24 Martha Lay 6/30/24

The Color Of Nature

I’m so excited and grateful to Jardin Botanico in Valencia for exhibiting some of my watercolor paintings that feature florals, animals, and landscapes…

Martha Lay 5/12/24 Martha Lay 5/12/24

Journey through the Inner Landscape

As a recent survivor of cancer have painted these small watercolors which show colorful healthy cells in the body. These little works have turned into painting meditations for me where I can focus on gratitude and attention to health.