Encaustic Painting with Shellac, Half Time, and Helio

Helio

Encaustic Mixed Media on birch 8x6

I've realized that it appears I've gone quiet.  I'm so busy painting as much as I can these days, that yes, in a way I have gone quiet.  My time where I have my studio is cut in half and then that time is cut in half again... so it means, that when I can paint - I hunker down and paint as much as possible.  But, even with shorter studio time, I have incorporated some very interesting new techniques that take some consideration and practice to find my way.  I'm finally beginning to show a little of what I am doing with encaustic painting, shellac and alcohol inks. 
I spent an incredible day in the studio of Alicia Tormey here in Seattle.  She is amazing and her techniques for shellac and alcohol ink with encaustic painting are incredible. I'm still digesting everything shellac that I learned from her late in February. 
I have committed to doing a solo show for the month of September.  I'm already painting for it and squirreling away a lot of surprises for it.  But, I am letting a few things out.. just to create some interest.
Happy Friday Everyone!

Tis the Season, Merry and Bright and Compass

Compass
encaustic on birch 8x10
 

 December is here.  The tree is up and decorated.  The elves are busy in the workshop.  Tis the season for Merry and Bright.  I hope that your season goes joyfully and you have time to take in the beauty and wonder.  Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I'll be taking a break from the studio for the rest of December.  I'll be spending my time with friends and family, taking in the holidays and getting ready to start the new year with a flourish.  Thank you all for your very kind support here throughout 2015. It means the world to me and I am truly grateful. 

 



Send some love out into the world today

Sending love to Paris

Humankind has not woven the web of life

We are but one thread within it

Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves

All things are bound together

All things connect
 

- Chief Seattle 1854

 

A tragic event has rocked our world.  It is time that we gather our thoughts and energies and collectively send love across the world.  Take a moment today and send some love and healing and peace.

Sharing Time, Making Time and Where's Waldo?

Waldo
encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

Seems that Waldo here has a bit of a scowl.  Although if you were up at the crack of dawn every day - you may wear a bit of a scowl too.  Or perhaps there's another reason for his expression - perhaps the quickly coming holiday season...

I just spent two more days in the print studio in Portland learning monotype printing.  I'll say that being a beginner has its good things and bad things - but I muddled through it and have a better understanding of how the "painterly" prints are made.  I do love the wax or any paint really for that matter that if things start going sideways, I can just paint over it.  Not so with prints and there is no going back once its run through the press.  But, its amazingly fun and the mental gymnastics that my brain has to go through to change gears to think like a print artist is good for me.  Its a nice vacation from wax and I truly believe that new ideas sprout back in the wax studio because of time spent as a beginner in the print studio.

But, back to work in the wax and more to come with the holidays coming ahead.  But, I do catch myself daydreaming about the next prints I'm going to try and make once time allows.
Happy Friday everyone!