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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Camping, Beetles and Other Oddities



I've been camping in a figurative way. I basically pitched my tent and have stayed a while on a lovely plateau. I've been camping in the land of faces and I've really been having a lot of fun painting and taking the time to study them. I've spent about a month here - working on skills and really noticing a positive difference. I will say that it really does make a difference to stay in one spot with one focus and really get to know one thing. Good things come from tunnel vision.
Yet, like any good camping experience there is a time to move on - a time to break camp.   I still haven't figured why oddball things to paint come to my brain.  I've been so focused on faces and then I couldn't get bugs off my mind - specifically beetles.   The thought wouldn't go away until they were complete.  I've learned to not question it any more - I just paint.  I used to get stressed about what I paint and whether it fits a style or even makes sense to be painting faces then painting bugs - and now I have a giant horse on my work table and a whole lotta bird ideas flitting through my brain.  Not sure when I'll be back in the land of faces, but I do hope to do 29 Faces this year - coming in February :) 
encaustic 8x8

encaustic 8x8

encaustic 8x8
Happy Friday everyone!! 
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39 comments:

  1. RosieJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    Wow, your bugs are fantastic. Happy PPF

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  2. Tracey FKJanuary 17, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    Beetles are fabulous subjects and glad you have moved your tent... not that i didn't love you faces... I love them hugely but it is fun to see you attack other subjects as well... xx

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  3. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:25 AM

    Beautiful bugs Marji. you are right that we can see and observe more when we are still and put fully attention and intention into it. Have a lovely PPF!!!

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  4. Ilona HeimböckelJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:22 AM

    It's good of you to paint, what comes to your mind! These beetles are wonderful to look at!
    Happy PPF

    Ilona :-)

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    1. Ilona HeimböckelJanuary 18, 2013 at 1:23 AM

      I have to learn about encaustic, looks very interesting!

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  5. IvyJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:04 AM

    Your beetles are wonderful, I especially love the last one, wonderful detail. Happy PPF!

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  6. Carolyn DubeJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:20 AM

    Wise person to not question where the paintbrush takes you! I love how these look together in the trio- it really adds a powerful level to them!

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  7. wednesdayJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:21 AM

    Love these beetles! When they turn out this well, who cares why they are begging to be painted?

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  8. minnemieJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:47 AM

    Oh Marji, I just LOVE bugs - or the look of them at least. You did a great work here

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  9. ann @ studiohydeJanuary 18, 2013 at 5:02 AM

    Wonderful paintings - Happy PPF :)

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  10. NettyJanuary 18, 2013 at 5:32 AM

    wow terrific bugs. Happy PPF and enjoy the weekend, Annette x

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  11. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    You have found tender beauty in those beetles. Have you ever seen Michelle Mathey's beetles - I think you would enjoy them: http://msmathey.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-bevy-of-beetles.html Happy PPF!

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  12. dentheJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:15 AM

    Your beetles look great! Looking forward to seeing your 29 faces!

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  13. Anne MandaJanuary 18, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    Great bugs, lovely contours and textures, they feel so real and tangible!

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  14. carol l mckennaJanuary 18, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    Wonderfully creative beetles ~ we all need to explore and venture out ~ good for you 'playing and exploring' ~

    (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

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  15. Kat SlomaJanuary 18, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    I like that you are willing to follow where your ideas lead! I think that's how we stay creative, when we listen to our intuition that way. Lovely beetles and I'm interest to see the birds, horses and whatever comes next. Happy PPF!

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  16. DebbieJanuary 18, 2013 at 7:51 AM

    These are incredible. I think whatever you decide to paint is going to be wonderful. You are so talented! I always mean to focus on one subject for awhile, but I never seem to stick to that plan very well, even though I know it's a good idea.

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  17. miriam millerJanuary 18, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    it just goes to show that it doesnt matter what the subject is-its how you do it.
    looks great!

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  18. GlorV1January 18, 2013 at 8:09 AM

    Your beetles are excellent. They look like they are about to move. Really good job of capturing them. Happy PPF and thx for sharing.

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  19. UnknownJanuary 18, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    Amo la tua arte! hai reso belli anche gli scarafaggi!!
    Bellalullo

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  20. K J DJanuary 18, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    your words really made sense to me...... I love your beetles!

    Thank you for your comment - I will (try!) and do a video of my Life Book when it is all finally bound :)

    Karen x

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  21. Gloria j ZucaroJanuary 18, 2013 at 9:16 AM

    so interesting where our hearts and minds lead us. good not to fight it, as I feel it is a gift. i love your beetles, and the third is my favorite, although like them as a triptych, too.

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  22. Linda KunsmanJanuary 18, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    oh wow-your encaustic beetles are FABULOUS!!!

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  23. Mary C. NasserJanuary 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    I have never seen such gorgeous beetles!
    Wow! :)
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  24. SiggadisartJanuary 18, 2013 at 11:50 AM

    Love your beetles, the colors are great but god knows I dont like them alive :)

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  25. Alicia CJanuary 18, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    love this line: "Good things come from tunnel vision" LOL! I agree. Beetles are streangely mysterious and enigmatic creatures - the Egyptians among others thought very highly of them! Beautiful pieces

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  26. sharonJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:01 PM

    Love the beetles, learning to go with the inner self can be a struggle sometimes, but it well worth it.

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  27. LeoviJanuary 18, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    Wonderful ... Fantastic compositions, I really like. Precious beetles. Greetings.

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  28. Cris, Oregon ArtistJanuary 18, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    Well done. Some of those creepy bugs are really pretty. :) No wonder you wanted to paint them. HPPF

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  29. Maria OntiverosJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    Love these - individually and (especially) grouped together!
    happy ppf,
    Rinda

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  30. FayeJanuary 18, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    Marji, you have such a unique gift. I think you can paint anything that appears in your mind. Your bugs are so realistic. I hope you don't wait too long to get back to faces, because that is where your talent really takes off to unusual heights. Each face has such expression and emotion. I feel like they are almost alive. It's always such a learning lesson as well as a pleasure to visit your blog each Friday. Thanks for visiting my blog. I think my knee will be OK, but it will take time.

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  31. GinnyJanuary 18, 2013 at 5:57 PM

    Your beetles are awesome but that does not surprise me. I love all of your work. I am anxious to see what you create next.

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  32. Introverted ArtJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Love your beetles. They are marvelous.

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  33. KristinJanuary 18, 2013 at 6:52 PM

    I love, love, love that you painted what came to you - and the results are beautiful. YES, beautiful bugs! AND I hope to do 29 faces too :) xoxo

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  34. GigglesJanuary 19, 2013 at 3:20 AM

    Wow I am not a bug person...but boy you do good bugs!! So talented!! Prettiest bugs I've ever seen!! I'm sure the faces will appear when you need them to!

    Hugs Giggles

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  35. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfJanuary 20, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    Bugs work for me. :) I think it's good to know when to move on so you don't get fed up with the subject.

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  36. Denise MulliganJanuary 20, 2013 at 6:38 AM

    These beetles are lovely. And they're encaustic, even better!

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  37. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 12:22 PM

    I love that you have gone from faces to beetles! I have nominated your blog for the Leibster Award. to see what it's all about, and to participate, please head over to my blog post. Thanks! Kristin http://krisatlarge.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/oh-my-goodness-its-a-major-award/

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  38. PiaRomJanuary 21, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    Wow your sweet bugs looks so alive...I have to look twice, to be sure this are paintings ore better encaustic-art ;)... the last one with its green wings reminds me of that little bug we called "greenlander"...it was on a holiday in Italy where we met him...he was very affectionate and so he become a name, hehe

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