JUNE: 603

JUNE:  Gemini One 603
encaustic mixed media on birch panel 8x10

Gemini is the Zodiac sign the covers the first part of June until the solstice on June 21.  Pearl is the birthstone of June. 

The sign of the twins
All Signs have dark sides as well as the bright sides, and the Gemini is no exception. People born under the Zodiac Sign Gemini have some distinct positive and negative traits. For example, they are clever and intellectual but they can also be tense and restless. To understand a Gemini it is essential to understand his/ her traits.

Positive traits

Adaptable
Open-minded and easy-going that they are, the Gemini are adaptable individuals as the desire to enjoy each moment run deep in them.

Versatile
A wide variety of subjects interests them, and hence, the Gemini will try their hands at many different things. They will not get stuck in a fixed routine.

Enthusiastic
The Gemini are one enthusiastic lot! They are always up for doing something new and exciting, and their enthusiasm is often infectious.

Eloquent
Blessed with excellent communication skills, the Gemini are eloquent people. They can sale anything to almost anyone!

Witty
The Gemini can easily impress you with their wit and humour, leaving you entertained. Besides, their spontaneity adds to their natural charm.

Intellectual
Since they are always interested learning about as many subjects as they can, the Gemini make an intellectual lot. These smart and sharp individuals will not shy away from voicing their opinions.

And tomorrow - we learn about the other side of Gemini....

JUNE: 602

JUNE:  Tea for Two 602
encaustic mixed media on birch panel 8x10

Iced tea - the drink of the season.  Best made with hot brewed tea over ice and a squeeze of lemon - some add sugar for "sweet tea" and some prefer it "black".

1904 - It was at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis that iced tea was popularized and commercialized (not invented). Due to the hot summer of 1904, people ignored any hot drinks and went in search of cold drinks, including iced tea. Because of this, it changed the way the rest of Americans thought of tea, thus popularizing iced tea.

Most historians mistakenly give credit to Richard Blechynden, India Tea Commissioner and Director of the East Indian Pavilion, as being the creator of ice tea at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. In the East Indian Pavilion at the Fair, Blechynden was offering free hot tea to everyone. Because of the intense heat, it was soon realized that the heat prevented the crowd from drinking his hot tea. Blechynden and his team took the brewed India tea, filled several large bottles, and placed them on stands upside down - thus allowing the tea to flow through iced lead pipes. This free iced tea was very much welcomed by the thirsty fair goers. After the fair, Blechynden took his lead pipe apparatus to New York City, offering free iced tea to shoppers at Bloomingdale Brothers Department Store, demonstrating iced tea is a desirable summertime drink.

JUNE: 601

JUNE: Artichoke 601
encaustic and mixed media on birch 8x10

Welcome to JUNE - a painting a day for the 30 days of June 2014.  Each panel represents elements of June as I know it in my corner of the world here in the Pacific Northwest - Seattle, Washington USA.  Together collectively the 30 panels represent the days of June and are hung together depicting the calendar month.  They are created on cradled birch panels, each 8" x 10".  The panels are painted in encaustic with some mixed media elements of paper and photographs. 
This large painting was created to hang with my summer  solo show Here. 
I'll be sharing each day of June for the month here and on Facebook.  So lets get started...

Artichoke:  601
Artichokes are one of my favorite veggies that appear in June.   Steamed and dipped in butter - yum. 

JUNE: Go Big or Go Home

Foiled
encaustic mixed media on birch panel 6" x 6" x 1.5"
encausticollage

June:  Go Big or Go Home

I've been quiet here for quite some time.  It really hasn't been the intent - but it is just so.  The reason being is that I have had nose to grind stone and have been painting away spending every moment I can in the studio.  I start in on Monday and then the next thing I know is that it is Friday and I haven't done a blog update, housework, or laundry... and all of a sudden its the weekend - then Monday again, and so it starts over.  So here's the story... Just 6 more sleeps and its my big solo show for June, opening on June 5 at Garden Essentia.

In addition to my new works, which are a combination of collage and encaustic (encausticollages), I decided that I needed something big - something epic for this show - something unlike the usual for me.  I got a grand idea, and for me - its big and epic..  The amazing part is that when I decided to do it, I just knew that I could pull it off and I would complete it in time without any fuss.  OK, well, fuss but in a controlled and manageable way :) 

The title of this epic project is "June".   It's 30 panels in the shape and theme of June on the calendar.  Its all about the things of June, or at least, June as I see it where I am in the world.  I've been blending encaustic and collage, working them together to create this project.  Its been a challenge and a pleasure, fun, demanding and enlightening.  30 - 8x10 panels that carry a theme in look, color and subject.  I will be sharing them each day from June 1 - June 30 here and also on Facebook.  Please join me in following along with June.