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. 

 



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!

Encaustic Painting, Chickadees and CeCe

CeCe
encaustic 6x6

I never get tired of painting chickadees.  They are one of my favorites and the ones I see the most from my window.  I truly wish that I had the same energy as one of these little ones.  They are forever active and flitting from branch to branch. Think of all the things I could get done in a day.  But, I do love to settle in the mid afternoon over a cup of coffee and a good book - taking a break from all the commotion even if just for a few minutes.

October is here, fall is starting to show her lovely colors - my favorites - the yellows, oranges and reds.  I've begun to start thinking of making soup and wearing sweaters.  Although, we are having a glorious Indian summer here in the northwest which means no sweaters yet.  

Happy Friday everyone! 

 

 

The Buzz, Honey Bees, Encaustic Painting

detail
Buzz
Encaustic on panel 6x24

I have a bush in my yard that the bees adore.  Its full of little tiny flowers that dance above the lush green leaves in a cloud of white.  The perfume of these flowers is what draws them in.  When I stand and listen, my ears fill with a buzz and a hum from all the tiny wings beating in a faint rhythm.  The busy bees are gathering pollen to return to their hive.  They are covered in a sweet yellow haze as they fly away.  The bush is beginning to fade now, but the bees will continue until their job is done and they move on to another yard.  They are mostly honey bees, but there are a few bumble bees too which are my favorites for painting.  Happy Friday everyone!

Buzz
encaustic 6x24

Finding Water, Quenching Thirst and the Creative Soul

Little Fish, Big Pond
encaustic and encaustic collagraph print on birch 12x24
I used some of the encaustic collagraph prints from this post and enhanced them with wax

Finding water - water seems to be one of those prompts that is showing up in my life these days.  It first came to me just in the pure form of being parched and realizing that I need to be cognizant and drink way more water in my day.  The second appeared in the title of the Julia Cameron book I picked up the other day - Finding Water.  The third came as a chapter in a book I picked off my bookshelf which I opened to a random chapter which was titled - Clear Water:  Nourishing the Creative Life.  Think there is some message that is trying to come in?!

Metaphorically speaking, water for the creative soul is an good way of looking at things and it was kind of resonating with me (being a water girl myself).  I liked the idea of the creative flow or spirit as a river and the beautiful watery flow of being in the creative zone.  We nourish our creative soul with this flow of ideas and the ability to create and bring these ideas to be out in the world through paint, writing, cooking, quilting, knitting whatever.  Being we are talking of flowing water here, there is a constant and endless river to keep us going.  But the key is to let it be so.

Yet, if we block that river with little dams of excuses, or pollutants of all kinds whether self or other - the magical flow slows.  If we are not careful or observant, over time, clogs build.  We may not notice the constriction, the restriction because there still is a trickle that comes through - less and less as it gets choked into silence.  We move on, the creative soul is no longer fed and we start to wonder why we are feeling a deep thirst within ourselves.  Hopefully, we never get to the point of desert and dunes and no oasis in sight.  But, the take away here is that we need to be mindful of our thirst for creativity and the need to find an outlet and most importantly, let the river flow freely without constriction.  Drink deeply and let the current carry you away. 
Happy Friday everyone!! 

Spring, Bird Song, and Junco

Junco
original encaustic on birch 6x8

Spring is my most favorite time of the year.  Its a time of awakening and growth and it is in crazy full force around here.  With spring comes open doors and open windows.  I've been awakened every morning lately by the neighborhood bird song.  Its the nicest way to be brought from slumber into the day.  Not better than a steaming cup of coffee mind you - but better than an alarm clock for sure.  The little Juncos are some of my favorite spring time characters.   
Also with spring comes the annual de-clutter, clean up and filling the yard waste bin to overflowing a few times over.  It feels so good to be outside and taking in the fresh smells and sounds.  To kick of spring, I've been doing a weekly inspiration series on Tuesdays - you can catch up on the latest one here. 
In keeping with the idea of new growth in spring, I have signed up to take an online art class taught by Diane Culhane - "Doings of a Do-o-dle".  No one doodles like Diane, so I am really looking forward to it.  You can get more info and sign up here.
Happy Friday - Happy Spring. 

Inspiration Today, Studio Happenings, and Work In Progress: 152

House Finch
encaustic 6x6

Here's what's happening in the studio and things I'm finding inspiring today

1. I think the artwork by Carol Hagan is really beautiful.  She is a master at capturing the essence of her subjects.  Her oil and cold wax horse paintings, I find magical.  I also love, that she paints the eyes first because they define the painting for her - you can see a you tube interview here. 
2. This yummy quick way to cook halibut just when making dinner has gotten really boring and such a chore. 
3. Revisiting this video for creative inspiration 
4. Getting together with friends and just talking about whatever.
5. Late afternoon walks when the light is just right and the colors are beautiful.

 





What are you finding inspiring today?

Watcher, Summer and More to Come

Watcher
Encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

Been painting some, but not enough.  Seems like summer is getting in the way - but I really don't mind.  There are many studio days coming my way as the season winds down. 
I just uploaded a bunch of new works into my gallery.  I hope you go have a browse. 

And just for fun - for those of you who are interested - Flora Bowley is offering Bloom True Boot Camp for the month of September - Here
 

Owl, Pendulums and Being Fickle

Owl
encaustic and mixed media on birch 12 x 12

I seem to be becoming kind of fickle.  My tastes are changing and I'm finding my attention waivering from one place to the next.  Mixed media, collage and whatever else I can get my hands on these days.  I'm going to chalk it up to spring and the concept of new in the air.  I believe art is like a big giant pendulum - we swing from one side to the other side before finding the balance in the middle.  I know the balance will come and for now - I'm on a really fun ride.
Happy Friday every one.  And... I'm still open for a few takers for my art project.  Don't be deceived by the count - there may be a few extra spots for those that are committed.

Encaustic Mixed Media, Boxes and Rabbits

Encaustic Mixed Media

Boxes as Art 

 

Box Top
Fabric, Ink Mono Print, Paper. Wood and Encaustic

 In the Mixed Media and Encaustic class that I took recently, our mission was to make a box that contained things that we created.  The idea behind this was to think of the substrate on which we are painting as a whole to the finished piece.  That the substrate is more that just something to hold the paint, but it is also part of the whole.

The Box

 

We were provided the box and off we went to create a mixed media piece.  For some reason, I have bunnies on the brain and that became my theme.

 



Box Opened and Showing Inside Cover and Contents

 The inside cover are the fabric scraps from the cut out for the stuffed rabbit inside the box.  There are 5 little bunnies, one larger bunny and one book filled with things bunnies need.

Contents

5 Little Bunnies and a Bunny Book full of Things Rabbits Need
like Carrots

There are 4 little bunnies made from wadded up brown paper towel and  one white one made with fabric all dipped in wax and bound in thread.  The ears are cut from fabric scraps and bound on with thread.

Hand Sewn Rabbit from Fabric, Dipped in Wax and Gift Wrapped

 

Book Made with Water Color, Encaustic and India Ink
- more carrots and rabbit holes

Accordion book made with water color, wax and India ink - filled with bunny related things.  Talk about a mind bender for me.  Really fun and really challenging to create something like this.  It makes me want to try more and expand my thinking more. 

Encaustic Mixed Media
Photo Transfer, India Ink and Encaustic Using Hot Pen

 In addition to the boxes, we were working on various other encaustic fun - like the hot pen tool.  I have one, thought it was a piece of junk and hadn't used it since 2011.  Well, its been resurrected as a go to tool on my bench - now that I know how to use it properly!  These two panels are small and just doodles really - I was working on my hot pen techniques for small works. 

Encaustic Mixed Media
Photo Transfer, Fabric and Encaustic using Hot Pen

Can't say it more - take a class, stretch yourself and try something new.   Happy Friday!!

 

Encaustic Mixed Media

Learning what other things can be done with encaustic.

hot encaustic palette

I took a 2 day encaustic mixed media class at Pratt in Seattle.  Larry Calkins was the teacher and had it had been recommended that if I had the opportunity to take a class from him that I should.  Well, its interesting how things present themselves when there is intention in the air.  With just two weeks before class - I signed up and got the last slot.

It was really stepping out for me, I have to say.  I take a pretty conservative approach to encaustic and really don't experiment nor think about all the different mixed media approaches that can be taken.  I do some with embedding paper and fabrics - but I haven't explored much other than that.  This was a fun class and seems to have come just at the right time for me.  I'm at a point where I am wanting to push a bit, to make things more interesting and to bring in some change.

Mixed media encaustic

 

Mixed media encaustic by Larry Calkins

I learned a bunch of new techniques and interesting things that can be done with wood glue, India ink, shellac and not to mention the idea of thinking outside (and inside) of the box. 
Our project was to create a mixed media box - incorporating the entire box inside and out as our final piece.  Intimidating for me?  Absolutely.  But, I took a hard swallow and sucked it up and got to it.  I will share my creations from the class on Friday. 

Larry brought a bunch of his mixed media artwork to inspire us to have fun. 



Mixed media artwork by Larry Calkins



 

Mixed media encaustic creativity by one of students

Mixed media artwork by Larry Calkins

 

Mixed media encaustic creativity by one of students

We even created a mono printing plate to make prints to embed into our artwork.  Lots of new tricks and tips to propel me into the spring and summer.  Its good to take classes, to get out of the studio and out of the comfort zone.  I have so many new ideas floating around in my brain that I have to write them down so they don't flit away. 
 

Mono printing plate

Announcing: Upcoming Show!

Art Show

So exciting to be one of four.  The best part about this show is that we all are so very different in how we use encaustic.  If you are in the Seattle area - I hope to see you for the opening reception night.  April 3 is the Burien Art Walk evening and there will be lots to experience in B-Town.

Wonky Bowls, The Pomegranate and Fabulous Cubes - Making Encaustic Art with Plaster Gauze

View 3
encaustic mixed media 4 x 4 x 2.5"

What do balloons, florist foam and plaster gauze all have in common?  A lot of fun, and a great start for 3D artwork for encaustic.   

Plaster gauze - the stuff we used to make casts for broken arms.  It is sold by the pound and is one long continuous strip about 4 inches wide.  I bought a 5lb box at the art store.  I also picked up a couple of bags of balloons and some florist foam at Hobby Lobby and I went to town.  I rolled up my sleeves, and wet strips of gauze in water and started wrapping around the balloons and foam forms.  The result was a lot of wonky bowls (big and small), one pomegranate and some fabulous cubes that I'm really excited about.

Pomegranate
encaustic mixed media 5 x 4 x 4"

 My sculpture skills are a bit rusty.  The last time they were called upon was ummmmm - 7th grade art class and paper mache.  So, I have several wonky bowls in my collection now.  I could pass it off as character - but really - nope... just wonky I'm afraid.  But the cubes - oh yeah - love those.  Seems that I can wrap around a block and have it come out OK.  I can even add little spit ball like things as feet.  Seems I had a little experience with spit balls in that same 7th grade art class :)

Stag
encaustic mixed media 4 x 8 x 2.5"

So what's so exciting about the plaster? - well, its the perfect ground for wax.  Its porous and formable, sculpture-able and allows for 3D form.  It dries over night and its as simple as that. 
Being that I am exploring more mixed media stuff- the blocks are lending themselves quite well to that.

Cat & Mouse
encaustic mixed media 8 x 4 x 2.5
(side opposite mouse)

Cat & Mouse
encaustic mixed media 8 x 4 x 2.5
(side opposite cat)

  Speaking of mixed media - as you read this, I will be in a Mixed Media and Encaustic class at Pratt School of Art here in Seattle.  The class is taught by Larry Calkins and I am over the moon excited about attending.  So, next week, I'll give you a little peek at what came of the fabulous two day workshop. 
Happy Birthday to Paint Party Friday - Thank you to Kristin and EVA for hosting the past three years.  Its a wonderful place for artists to come together and share each week.  Happy Friday Everyone! 

The Ones That Got Away, Hummer and Friends

Hummer
encaustic mixed media 6x6

The ones that got away.  Got away in the sense that they have found new homes and have flown the coop this week. What a good feeling to have paintings move on and out into the world.   I paint for me, I paint the things I love - yet, having them move out and bring happiness to others - wow, that's huge in my book.  One of those hidden benefits of being an artist I guess.  Maybe next time when I am asked what I do for a living - I'll just say:

I bring happiness to others

Kingfisher
encaustic mixed media 6x6

The Paris Bunnies
encaustic mixed media 6x6

Sunflower
encaustic mixed media 6x6

Next week - wonky bowls, the pomegranate and fabulous cubes :)  Happy Friday everyone!

NEW, Things all a-Twitter and Arleigh

Arleigh
encaustic and mixed media on birch 12x12

I've had the most amazing day - amazing week actually.  On Tuesday I got together with two other encaustic artists.  Now, mind you, I do get together with other artists here and there, but none of the waxy variety.  For two hours we chatted wax - wow.   We all are very different in what we do, so that made it even more fun.  I didn't realize how starved I was to be with other wax artists and toss around ideas. 
When I left them on Tuesday afternoon, my head has been a- buzz ever since.  Yesterday I drove all around town and gathered all kinds of supplies to get to trying some of the things we talked about over coffee.  Some I couldn't find initially, so I'll take another run at it in a few days.  Seems the things I did manage to gather are keeping my quite occupied.  So what's the new thing that has me all a-twitter?  Making bowls.  Really?  Yes, really.  Making bowl forms out of plaster and covering them in wax - and cubes too, and this is where my brain starts bouncing - why not other interesting shapes or figures perhaps?  I'll show some next week - maybe when the process gets a bit more refined.  So there you have it - lots of NEW in the studio including the collage-y backgrounds I've started to incorporate.  Seems the new year is bringing lots of new change for me. 
Happy Friday everyone! 

Homey
encaustic and mixed media on birch 6x8

29 Faces: 28 & 29 - Complete

Twenty- Nine

me
encaustic 8 x 8

 

Twenty-Eight

encaustic 6 x 9

Done

19-29

Tenacity, Rewards and 29 Faces: 26 & 27

Twenty- Seven

encaustic 8 x 8

Most people will tell you that tenacity is a great quality to have, especially if you're trying something challenging that takes a while to complete.

Odds are, the people you admire have shown real tenacity in achieving their goals. Anything really worth doing takes persistence, perseverance, and stubborn determination. Being a great baseball player requires real gifts, no doubt, but even the most gifted player won't make it to the big leagues without the tenacity required to make the long, hard journey up from the minors. Tenacity is the quality displayed by someone who just won't quit — who keeps trying until they reach their goal.

-vocabulary.com



One of the perks of being tenacious is the reward after the long haul.  I look at where I started this journey and the paintings I was creating on September 1 - and I now look at the paintings I am creating on September 27 and to me - the transformation is remarkable and I'm pretty hard to please.  I'm faster, stronger and more confident.  I'm starting to "get it" - the subtleties of the face, the curves, the colors - but its taken 29 to get there and not to mention the ones that didn't make the cut.  So, my advice?  Grab on, be tenacious - the rewards can be grand - but it takes time and work and stubborn determination - go for it!

 

Twenty-Six

encaustic 8 x 8