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Artistry and Passion: My Story
Welcome to my blog! I'm Ginger Lianne, an artist who loves sharing my journey and insights through my posts. This platform is a creative outlet for me—where I articulate thoughts on my artistic process, showcase my artwork, and engage with fellow art enthusiasts. I believe that by documenting my experiences, I can inspire others to explore their own artistry and find joy in the creative process. Join me as we dive into the world of art together!
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Going from hobbyist to full-time artist-what actually changed
This year hasn't gone the way I had hoped with my art business. It started off strong with my shows and it was growing fast. But things happened with my job and some illegal activity, and it forced me to wait before my initial date of leaving due to moving away. That had forced me to go full time with my art. I can't say that it's been easy and that I have been making more money from my art than I'd like to make, and to be honest I have been struggling. But it has also taught
Ginger Martinez
3 days ago1 min read
How to collect an original abstract painting for your home
Before I started painting.. I was a big collector of finding art at thrift stores. Ive always enjoyed having unique art on my walls. It wasnt until I started meeting real life artists was when I started collecting myself. To me, collecting art is about a feeling. What does that painting make you feel? Is it more about the artist than the art? For me personally it absoulutly is. I find that when I can connect with the artist.. I instanstly need to have a piece of their work. A
Ginger Martinez
Oct 12 min read
The story behind my abstract painting "To be woman"
As a young girl I had a very hard time loving myself. A very hard time being around boys..fitting in. I was always told to smile more because my face looked angry all the time. I was constantly trying my best to look good and dress a certain way to impress anyone who would look. And even in my young adult life i was always dieting, always worried about the way I looked. I often let men take advantage of me to feel worthy, hoping they would love me for all that I did for them.
Ginger Martinez
Sep 251 min read
What reclamation means in my work (and how I incorporate it into my paintings)
Reclamation refers to restoring something to its previous or improved condition, or recovering something that was lost or stolen. Initially, I believed my purpose was tied to sadness, and I often expressed the darkness from my past through my art when I began sharing it online. I wanted to understand what made this process more positive. It was about reclaiming my identity, letting go of who I was, and learning to love myself more. My new work focuses on that reclamation. Del
Ginger Martinez
Sep 111 min read
Mystic Light: A textured abstract painting
I created this painting in the spring of last year, and I feel it didn't receive the attention it deserved. After selling a similar large painting to some wonderful acquaintances, I wanted to craft something similar—something smaller yet still impactful. I love incorporating molding paste into much of my work, so I decided to begin another piece. Mystic light is situated in the Puget Sound, a more tranquil version of the ocean. The waters are cooler, blending fresh water with
Ginger Martinez
Sep 21 min read
Kaleidoscope: A painting of a free soul
It's been a while since I've had the chance to complete a large-scale painting. I've been so caught up with moving and life that I haven't made time for creating. However, I just finished a painting that I'm really excited about. The story is somewhat amusing. I recently went viral online, which attracted a lot of random followers interested in my work. I received strange commission requests, some of which I was actually keen to pursue, but none materialized because nobody co
Ginger Martinez
Aug 292 min read
What "Reclamation" means in my studio
There was a painting on my easel that started as something else entirely I laid down the first brush strokes trying to make something pretty. Soft blues, a gentle gradient. the kind of piece that photographs well. But somewhere in the second layer, it stopped listening to me. The color I reached for wasn't calm...it was raw. I wanted to push through not soothe. That's the moment Ive come to recognize. The moment a painting stops performing and starts telling the truth. If i h
Ginger Martinez
Jul 201 min read
How to choose art for emotional connection in home decor
Most of us were never taught how to buy art. We were taught how to match a sofa to a rug, how to measure for curtains and how to pick a paint color. But nobody handed us a guide for standing in front of a painting and trusting what we feel. Thus, we opt for safety. We select what harmonizes with everything, choosing items that won't upset anyone who enters. We choose things that won't offend anyone. Then, we question why our walls appear dull and uninteresting, lacking impact
Ginger Martinez
Jun 172 min read
Abstract studies
Recently, it's been challenging for me to work on large paintings due to the move and everything else going on. So, for now, I'm using what I have to create small abstract pieces simply because I feel the need to paint. This process has been incredibly helpful for expressing my emotions, and it comes without the pressure of needing to sell too much. These studies represent my plans for when I begin painting on a larger scale again. I'm returning to what feels authentic to me—
Ginger Martinez
May 271 min read
Going full time wasnt in the cards
Going full-time wasn't an option for me just yet. I was working my regular job, which helped me cover the bills and other expenses. However, things took a turn for the worse, and I had to decide to leave this job sooner than I had planned. It was the first time I left a job on bad terms. It was difficult for me to stand up for myself and others, even when I was told I was wrong and lost friends in the process. That was a very healing moment for me. Here I am, without money an
Ginger Martinez
May 202 min read
Its mental health month
May is Mental Health Month, and I have been painting for four years. My artwork focuses on mental health and the challenges of being a woman dealing with anxiety and depression. Beginning therapy was my initial step in pushing myself beyond the familiar routine I was accustomed to. That's when I started painting. It was such a relief to discover an outlet for my emotions, something I could create from the pain I was experiencing. I've been dealing with anxiety for as long as
Ginger Martinez
May 112 min read
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
It’s been three weeks since I launched my new print bundle, and I’ve made some sales—a strong start. I like to keep a positive outlook when it comes to my art business and the little steps I’m taking toward going full-time. It’s not easy, though, and I wish sales were flowing in like I’d hoped. Still, this bundle is a great opportunity to grow and learn. I’ve made 5 sales so far and am aiming for 100 sales of each print. Right now, Celestial Tides is doing better than Still
Ginger Martinez
May 51 min read
Celestial tides| Still beauty. Why I chose these two originals
It took me a moment to decide on the paintings I wanted to include in a bundle. Then, I reflected on the pieces that stood out over the past year. These were the paintings that blended magic and emotion, fitting into an ethereal blue seascape of escape, and held significance for me as I created them. "Celestial Tides" was painted last winter during a period when I was seeking direction in my life. I was contemplating where I wanted to go and what I envisioned for my future. A
Ginger Martinez
Apr 281 min read
Where the light shines through
Presenting a two-print bundle for your whimsical side This year has focused on progress, exploring new opportunities, and adopting a full-time artist mindset. I've been expanding my email list and making art more accessible. I've collaborated with someone who has been instrumental in reaching these goals. Together, we shared her insights and developed a campaign to transform two original pieces that sold quickly into an affordable print bundle. This print bundle presents the
Ginger Martinez
Apr 211 min read
From Hobbyist to Full-Time: The Moment I Started Taking My Art Seriously
When I initially began painting, I had no intention of selling my work. It was purely a way for me to express my emotions during therapy. My sister suggested that I list my paintings on Etsy, and I had seen some artists selling their work on Instagram. Since I had only used social media for personal purposes, the idea of selling and learning marketing seemed daunting to me. I recall my first sale: $30 to a customer in Italy via Etsy. I didn't profit from it and ended up spend
Ginger Martinez
Apr 131 min read
What the Pacific Northwest taught me about painting
I've always been an artist... since I can remember, I've been drawing in notepads or in my diaries. Growing up in Los Angeles wasn't the best place to inspire me. Full of smog and heat and a very fast-paced life... being an artist was not in the cards for me at the time. It wasn't until I relocated to Washington and achieved sobriety that I found the inspiration to create Beyond the Pencil. This place holds a unique beauty. The foggy mornings, the moss-covered trees on rainy
Ginger Martinez
Apr 72 min read
No niching down for my style
When I first began painting, I didn't have a clear vision of what I wanted to create. I experimented and explored what I could do with the skills I already possessed. I had been drawing with pencils and coloring since I was a little girl, and I incorporated much of that expertise into my painting. I used the emotions I was experiencing at the time to express my feelings on canvas. Many of my earlier works featured darker images, abstract faces, and sad women. It was all part
Ginger Martinez
Mar 232 min read
Shifting the art world
I'm shifting. Shifting my marketing, shifting my location, shifting the way I see my art. My mind is scrambled most of the time, and I haven't got a clear focus on what and who I need to be It's not easy when my online sales don't do too well. I'm usually not a negative Nancy when it comes to art sales because I know there are ups and downs with it all but trying to find the right collector online hasn't been easy for me. My sales come mostly from people in person who love me
Ginger Martinez
Mar 92 min read
Exit — The Painting That Helped Me Understand My Anxiety, Childhood Trauma, and CPTSD
When I painted Exit , I had just started therapy. My husband had just bought me the painting materials I needed — canvases, brushes, palette knives, acrylics — and I had begun experimenting with smaller abstract pieces in my little basement corner that I call my sanctuary of color. I had painted before this.I had created another abstract piece.But this one was different. This was the first painting that held a part of my childhood trauma. At the time, I was struggling heavily
Ginger Martinez
Feb 253 min read
Heres to the future
A Night That Changed Everything I recently hosted my first official art show for my gallery… and it was more than I ever imagined. If I’m honest, the weeks leading up to it were filled with anxiety. I was afraid no one would show up.Afraid it would be slow. Afraid the artists wouldn’t sell anything.Afraid I had overestimated the support for local art. When you care deeply about something, it’s vulnerable to put it into the world. But what I witnessed that night completely shi
Ginger Martinez
Feb 173 min read
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