Momentum, Exploration and Crinoids

Crinoid

detail of something bigger :)

I've recently discovered - there is a sea creature that has my full attention - the Sea Lily or Crinoid.  Its a feather and its a flower and it lives under the sea.  My love for the sea has never waned, but to think there is a bird like creature that lives with the fish.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I was practicing and thinking about something with feathers that leads to something bigger.  And of course if you follow this blog, you know that the sea has a special place in my heart.  This painting isn't done, and its in is very early stages, but I feel this amazing lift and momentum that there is a bridge that I have just stumbled upon that brings together these two very different things - My things - and makes sense of them as one. 

A gust of wind in the sails, momentum in a direction that is not for the faint of heart.  Exploration is for the bold and the brave.  Following a thread of an idea can lead to nothing or it can lead to something bigger.  Momentum is the force that moves us forward into the unknown and on to the difference between the calm and being swept away in the current.

Thank you Linda Sivertsen (Book Mama) for putting these words in regard to momentum so eloquently -

"That’s momentum for you - you work and work to build it, and at some point it starts to build you. It starts to lift you to your next level, so you can create your next level work."

I hope you are living bold and brave and finding the wind in your sails and exploring things that seem different and grand.   Happy Friday everyone! 

Encaustic Painting, Memories and Wind Swept

Wind Swept
encaustic mixed media 18x24
 

This encaustic painting has been sitting in my studio for almost a year.  I started it, but never finished.   I didn't want to paint over it for some reason, as this scene has great meaning to me.  I finally finished it this past weekend and it finally came together with relative ease.  I realized today, that it has taken me almost a year to get the skills I needed in order to finish it.  I needed to be working with India ink, carving with an exacto knife, filling with oil paint and using caran d'ache neocolor in my work.  These are not things that I was doing a year ago. 

This scene is from our family beach house.  It is where I spent summers and every weekend of my childhood years.  The house was sold this time last year.  An end of a chapter, but one that had to come.  So, I wanted to have something that reminded me of those years and that place and those memories.  That's why this painting came to be.  I realized once it was finished that this is the first time in my life that I have not visited this place in the world in a year's time.
Below are details of the painting and I have come to realize that a series of these lovely trees may be in my future :)

Happy Friday everyone!

Encaustic Painting, Carving, Graphite and Last Dance

Last Dance
encaustic, graphite and oil on birch 10x10

Fall is here and my walks are full of rich colors and layers.  Encaustic painting really excels in allowing beautiful layering in paintings.  I have been experimenting with using powdered graphite recently.  It really does some amazing things on the wax.  Although it is kind of messy and sticky to everything, the ability to shade and create interesting depth adds a new dimension to things.  Plus, I really love the subtle grays it produces.  I'm also finding the fine lines I can get using an exacto knife in the wax is adding another aspect to getting more detail with a medium that tends to be a little cranky when it comes to fine lines. 
For those of you interested in the process - the background is laid in with graphite and the fine drawn graphite lines are actually done on tissue paper and added to the painting.  The colors are wax and the white leaves are carved with the exacto knife and the line work highlighted with oil stick. 
I hope those of you in the Northern hemisphere are getting out and enjoying Mother Nature's amazing display of fall and all its beautiful colors and layers.
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! 

 

 

Encaustic Painting, Fish and Captain



Captain
detail encaustic mixed media on birch 6 x 24



There is something about encaustic painting and fish that just really go together for me.  The textures and the colors are incredible fun.  I'm still working the concept of bigger through modular, diptych or triptych.  This painting actually started with the center piece.  I was demoing to a friend and showing her how texture and mark making work in encaustic.  The panel just looked like it needed to be part of a fish and the rest came together from other 1/2 started panels on my work table. 

 



Captain
encaustic mixed media on birch
triptych 6 x 24



Sometimes images come together quickly and sometimes they seem to take eternity to present themselves upon the surface.  Captain here was a quick one once he got under way.  Thankfully, because we all need victories in the studio to keep the wind in our sails.  A few finishing touches yet to go, so Captain sits on my mantel where I can see him every time I pass by.  The small little nuances will come to mind,  a mark here a line there, a little more yellow, a little less yellow... we'll see.  But he's a keeper.

A happy first weekend of fall/spring to everyone! 

Oh and a Question for you all - do you think fish have that little dot of reflected light in their eye? 

Captain
detail

 

Captain
detail

Mod, Encaustic Painting, Combining Flavors

Dogwood
encaustic mixed media on birch 16 x 19

Modular painting seems to be catching my fancy these days.  I love combining the flavors of encaustic painting, ink drawing, printing, and both abstract and representational art.  The mixed bunch tells a nice story.  These individual paintings are glued together to create one large story panel.  While I like the random size, I'm also working on some that fit together into a regular rectangle.  I am finding the mix and match aspect of working a modular painting is really fun and giving a fresh feeling to the paintings.  Problem is, now I have lots and lots of mix and match pieces on my work table - now the trick is finding the combinations that work together. 
Happy Friday everyone! 

Treasure Hunting, Black and White and Feathers

plume
encaustic and oil on birch 6x6

I've been collecting feathers.  Seems I find all kinds, shapes and sizes.  There is an eagle nest that I pass regularly and every now and again I'm lucky to find one that has fallen from there.  I have an osprey feather, crow feathers, little downy ones, stripy ones and even a little sweet gray and yellow one.  Its become my own personal treasure hunt when I'm out walking.  In the beginning I brought all the ones home that caught my eye - now I'm a bit more selective as my collection has grown.   The fine detail of all the little filaments and the lightness of their architecture is remarkable to think they are responsible for flight.

I've also been thinking in black and white.  The simplicity of removing color and creating form and detail in the space of two colors is a good lesson for me.  I'm not giving up color by any means, but I do think that removing it teaches a valuable lesson.  For those of you interested in processes - the feather is carved into the wax surface with an exacto knife creating the fine line detail.  The lines are then filled with oil paint which is then rubbed off the surface and left in the lines.  Wax is difficult to get any fine detail and this in one of the best ways to achieve that. 

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope your time in nature is also a wonderful inspirational adventure and treasure hunt that brings you much reward. 

Poetry, Summer Song and Little Birds

Marsh Wren
encaustic, oil and graphite on birch 6x6

A friend sent me this lovely poem - with a note that said "I feel like Nancy wrote this poem for every artist I know".  I totally agree -



Summer Song

 

Tonight I break the map that says don’t sell yourself

I brag and leave the humble out of it

I kick the Minnesota-raised girl to the curb

and yell, “I am fucking awesome!”

 

Sing it girl, don’t be shy.

What’s the use of pretending I’m dull?

I’ve got a loud voice, I’ll use it.

I’ll not waste another minute.

 

Translate fear into possibility

take the gnaw in my stomach

belch it out

until my core glows orange, no pain left.

 

What’s doubt and dread

except stagnation to grow

up and out of? I’ll turn tiny-ness

on its head and live large, for sure

 

I wear my brave face

I dance in the street

with pure abandon

sing with all of my notes out of tune.

 

I do karaoke with no machine

until my family laughs

the neighbors come onto their doorsteps

they cheer me on.

 

Summer is short, its nights long

and full of sweetness; I practice daring

on the cooled concrete

while the red sun sets

 

an orange globe of power

that I swallow whole

voice loud with song

my body a ray of light.

7.10.2015

  

Best,

Nancy Schatz Alton

Freelance Writer, Editor & Writing Coach

Co-author of The Healthy Back Book & The Healthy Knees Book

www.withinthewords.com

Encaustic Painting Process, Draw-Through Printing and Tissue Paper

Kiss (detail)
encaustic, paper and ink on birch

Trying old techniques in a new way again - this time a printing technique called draw-through printing.  Keeping things fresh and loose in art can sometimes be a challenge for me.  This little chickadee is a detail from a larger modular painting.  I've been revisiting some techniques I learned a while back and finding it really fun.  Thanks to the wonderful Stephanie Hargrave for being the inspiration. 

The drawings are done on tissue paper and then put into the encaustic painting.  Its a fun process and because of its nature, it keeps the drawings loose and fresh.  The first step is to get together all the things needed

1. printing ink - I used Akua, but there are other printing inks that work great like Daniel Smith printing inks. 
2. Glass palette
3. brayer
4. bamboo skewer
5. tissue paper

Step One - roll out the ink with the brayer - can't stress enough that it needs to be a thin layer. Think thin to win!

Step Two - gently place the tissue paper on top of the rolled out ink and weight the edges so it will not move when you do your drawings.

Step Three - Use the bamboo skewer, or end of a paint brush handle or even your finger nail - and draw.  Being careful not to touch the paper to hold it otherwise you will have finger prints which is ok, but just be mindful where they are.  You will see your line showing through the tissue as you draw your shapes. 

 

 

Step Four - carefully peel up the tissue from the printing plate and turn it over.  You will see your designs printed on the tissue. 

You can see in this photo the "noise" created in the print where the tissue stuck to the ink other than where the lines were drawn.  I don't mind a little bit of noise in the print.  A lot of noise creates a whole another look to the print.

Step Five - once the prints are dry - burnish the tissue into an encaustic painting and gently heat.  The white tissue will magically disappear into the wax and will leave only the printed lines showing.  Cover with a protective layer of wax and the tissue will totally blend into the artwork

 

 Noisy print on the left and only just a little noise on the right

As a side note, I did find that the tissue I was using had a shiny or hard side and a matte or soft side.  I found the hard side would stick to the ink in places that I really didn't want it to, thus, creating "noise" in the print like on the left above.  The soft side of the tissue would allow for the fine lines to show through without too much stickage (noise). I would re-brayer the inked area after every print, not necessarily adding more ink until I really needed it.  Its fun to do several when you have everything out - lots of different shapes and designs.  That way when you are ready to put the drawings into your artwork, there are lots of choices to layer and have fun with.  I'm also assuming it would work with a gel medium on an art journal page or other artwork than encaustic. 
Good luck and have fun.  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

Unexpected Visitor, Chirping and Sparrow

Sparrow
encaustic on birch 6x6

Today I had the most amazing visitor - a little sparrow was hopping around in my living room.  I was in the kitchen and heard a chirping sound.  I came around the corner to find a sweet little sparrow hopping about.  She was chirping away and happy as could be and didn't seem to have a care in the world.  I opened the patio door to help her to find her way back outside.  She was in no hurry to leave and hopped under chairs and around and under the tables.  She never took flight, just hopped and sang.  I followed around and gently talked to her encouraging her to see the open door and her freedom.   She eventually made her way to the door and flew back to her life outside.  So sweet. 
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. 

Encaustic Painting and Art, Beating the Saboteur, and Sparrow Song

Sparrow Song
encaustic on birch 6x6

There's so much going on it makes my head spin.  Yet, I know there is peace found in art and dropping into the zone of creativity.  The problem is carving out the time in between all the other things that make up the wonderful froth of life. 

The "do" list is long, yet slowly the items are scratched off even though there is no end to that list.   Today my day was eaten up entirely with errands and flat tires, and returns, drop offs and pick ups - the bank, the grocery store, the dry cleaners - its endless. I decided to write off today as a "get it done" day so tomorrow is  mine or at least partially mine.  Sometimes I find it hard to get past the "do" list and on to my own time - yet there is that nagging voice inside that says - get it done so tomorrow is free.  Yet, tomorrow never seems to be free.  Its that nasty self saboteur at work again. That is the part of us that keeps us from spending our time as we really need to be doing rather than what we probably should be doing. There is always the "do" list of life, it will always be so.  Excuses, excuses - is there really anything that is so important to keep us from pursuing our creative outlet - the thing that keeps us balanced and at our best?  Yes, in some cases - but for the most part... NO, these things are just distractions that can be managed in a way that allows us our own time also.  Its time to tell Father Time to take a break and the Saboteur to take a hike and let's get on with what we really need "to do" - our art, our dreams, our purpose.  Carve time, make time and make your art.
Happy Friday everyone!

I'm sharing studio happenings and inspirations on Tuesdays - if you missed this week, you can see it here.

Cold Wax and Oil Painting, Childhood Memories in Art, and Ocean Perch

Under the Deep Blue Sea
oil and wax on paper 9x12

My husband walked into my studio and said - "It smells different in here".  He's right, the smell of hot wax is absent and the smell of oil paint has taken over.  I'm finding myself drawn to painting with this new medium more and more.  I'm less inclined to be warming up the encaustic wax, yet I still do.  I'm finding being a beginner is fun and at every turn there is something new.  I'm also finding abstract difficult, so I had to take a little break from it and paint something more tangible - i.e. fish.

 

I've been wondering why I've been so compelled to paint fish lately and specifically ocean perch.  Other than they are fun for me because I love the texture and color.   Yet, I was still pondering the connection and why.  Then it came to me - I have very fond childhood memories of surf fishing with my Dad.  It was one of the perks of growing up at the beach on the pacific coast and being able to live off the bounty of the ocean.  We would spend many a summer day, wading out into the waves and throwing in a line.  The catch of the day was usually ocean perch as they were plentiful and really loved our bait of razor clams.  It was such a thrill to feel that tug on the line and reel in a silver flapping fish to bring home for dinner. This is my connection, and I have to say it makes me smile every time I look at my fish paintings.  Do you find fond childhood memories that come through in your art?

Also, I'm starting and Inspiration Today post on Tuesdays.  I'm sharing what's in progress in the studio and what I am finding inspiring.  The first of the series was this past Tuesday. 

Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday, Paint Party Friday, Self Portrait

Happy Birthday PPF!  In celebration of 4 years, we are asked to show our faces in the form of a self portrait and celebrate together this happy birth day.  Thank you to Eva and Kristin for four years of hosting a place where artists can share and come together every week.  Its an incredible group that over the past few years, we have continuously given support and love and most importantly, shared art.  Its been so enlightening to see my fellow artists blossom, move through styles, and grow in leaps and bounds.  We've walked together along the artful journey and I have to say I have met some of my very favorite people in the world through this weekly gathering.  Thank you everyone, I am grateful to be part of this tribe.

Encaustic Painting, December Reflections and Blue Jays

While You Were Away
encaustic mixed media on birch 6x8

Seems there isn't much going on for me in encaustic painting.  I feel lucky if I get some hours in the studio this time of year.  This Steller's Jay is one of the most recent and probably last ones I will do in 2014.  Its amazing to think that it's December and we will be waking up to Christmas Day not too far from now.  In addition to being totally distracted by the Holiday season, I've gotten bitten by the printing bug and it seems that my mind has shifted to thinking in terms of how to carve a linocut so that the positive and negative spaces work out.  So, I got the happy idea to make my own Christmas cards this year - all linocut of course!  I've been printing like crazy in the studio and have them all ready to be addressed.  I'm feeling very smug that I'm actually on top of it this year.  I'll share my Christmas card and printing endeavors next week. 

I'm also taking part in December Reflections with the brilliant Susannah Conway.  A photo a day (with word prompts) doesn't seem too overwhelming and is actually a nice pause during busy days. 

12/1:  Drinks
December Reflections

 

12/2:  Lights
December Reflections

 

12/3:  The Best Day of 2014
Today of course :) 
December Reflections

12/4: Red
My favorite foxy mug and my very first linocut :)
December Reflections

Hoping your Holiday season is rolling along smoothly so far.  Happy Friday everyone! 

Art and Stereotype, Encaustic Painting and Franie




Franie
encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

I just left a long winded post for a good friend, Kat Sloma, over on her blog - Kateyestudio  She was pondering the concept of labeling in the art world.  She is a photographer.  Now, I ask you.. does that conjure up a picture in your mind of what her art might be like?  I know the label photographer definitely brings up images of traditional photography in my mind.  Yet, her art is beautifully altered photos done digitally.  She is really good at it and her art is beautiful.  However, her question is - is what I do photography?  That's where her roots are and where her artwork starts - as a beautifully taken photograph.  Yet, after she works her digital magic - her art looks more like a painting.  It brings up a really good question of labeling.

So, I label myself as an encaustic artist - yet the representational work that I do in encaustic is the minority of what is done.  Most people conjure up the idea of beautiful textured abstract work as the stereotype for encaustic.  Yet, as a medium it is hugely diverse... There is encaustic collograph printing, encaustic over clay, rich beautiful monoprints  Its endless what can be done with the medium, yet is there a stereotype?  An expectation if someone says - I am an encaustic artist?  Is there a label?  How about other artists - oil painters, acrylic painters and watercolorists?  Is there a stereotype with these mediums?  Or have these been around so long with so many different representations done that people are open to and curious about what it is versus planting a stereotype?  Its an interesting subject to ponder. 
Happy Friday everyone!



Encaustic Landscape Painting, Texture and Unsticking the Stuck

Somewhere Between Here and There
encaustic mixed media on birch 30"x30"x2.75"

Encaustic lends itself to painting landscapes quite well.  In fact, encaustic + landscape are meant for each other.  Imagine being able to just slash away at the wax to create all kinds of luscious texture, melting and dripping and more gouging to create the beautiful textures of nature.  How fun is that!?

Landscape art is new to me - but somehow I couldn't resist the want to try it. I actually started this painting the early part of summer and it got stuck in the ugly teenager state and ended up kicking around the studio for the entire summer until I just got tired of looking at it and tripping over it.  Its rather large at 30x30, so it was hard to ignore it.

After a late summer visit to Eastern Washington and a drive through apple country, the landscape of the great wide open with billowing fields of grasses stayed in my mind.  I roped in a couple of good artist friends and got their opinions on how to unstick the stuck painting.  Lucky for me their guidance was what I needed to get at it again.  Can't tell you how important it is to have artist friends to discuss arty things with.  I mean who else would listen to the woes of stuck paintings, color choices and the benefits of diagonals in composition?  Definitely need these people in my life.  *thank you - you know who you are :) 

I pulled out all the stops for this one - paper, fabric, oil paint, pastels, and Plej radio on Pandora - anything and everything to create texture.  I figured it could only get better from where it was, and if it didn't then it would become an under layer for the next big idea.  This big guy takes up my entire work table and its hard to reach the entire surface from my usual spot.  So, I hopped up on my little step stool so I could be above it a bit and went at it with pokey tools, ice pick looking things and scraping tools.  Heat, oil sticks, paper - more heat, more wax.  Standing it up and heating it til it dripped - laying it down and scraping away.  I just let the creative process take me away.  It was fun and nice to be loose.  A little of this, more of that and so here you have it - the first of many landscapes to come.

Happy Friday everyone!

PS - the Art Walk last night was well attended for an October evening.  Thank you to those who came to share the evening!

Blue Shoes, Foxes and Studio Time

I Will Take Them in Blue
encaustic mixed media on birch 8x10

Its October - wow.  I signed up to be the artist for the October Artwalk in Edmonds, WA.  My artwork is hanging in the Coldwell Banker Bain office on 5th St, for the entire month.  Last year, in April was my very first showing of my work publically and it was in this very same spot.  The show is much smaller this year but as I reflect back, its amazing to me how far I have come in such a relatively short time.  My artwork keeps changing and getting better as I find my way and hone my style. 
Encaustic is a very fickle medium but I enjoy it so.  Just when I think I've got it - I don't.  But I am a firm believer in showing up every day in the studio or at least in some form even if life gets in the way of true studio time.  Some days - its a walk outside and just taking in color, texture and line - seeing how light plays and shadows are created.  I let that information center itself in my mind for future reference.  Its as good as true studio creative time and just as important. 
Happy Friday everyone!!  And many many thanks to you that visit here and fuel my inspiration. 

Imperfect Perfection, Painting Vegetables and Feeling Figgy

   

Heirlooms
encaustic mixed media 8x10

I was asked to paint some vegetables/fruits.  I personally like fruits and veggies, so the subject matter kind of appealed to me.  Although I honestly had to find a way to paint them in some manner that isn't quite ordinary.  There are a lot of fruit and veg paintings out in the world because they are such a wonderful subject matter and one that we can relate to.  Yet, in my mind, if I'm going to paint a tomato, it has to be an heirloom in all its imperfect perfection.  Or to paint a fig - one that I picked from the tree in its unripe state before I realized that indeed it really wasn't ripe at all and needed more tree time to become its figgy perfection.
As artists, we are very much like the heirloom tomatoes or the unripe figs - we are perfectly imperfect.  Happy Friday everyone! 

 

The start of something Figgy
encaustic mixed media 8x10