May 2012
18 posts
Abby
Abby borrowed my studio today to meet a guy. She liked him so well, she jumped in his car and ran away to Tullahoma with him. I can’t think of a nicer thing for either of them. And it was a great use of my studio.
I want to....
You know what makes me want to work in the studio? A day OUT of the studio. Using a day of rest wisely is a trick I’ve had to master. At one time, I was afraid to take a day away - I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of a piece or maybe I was afraid I’d wander away too long. Or forever! I’d often go to the studio for a couple of hours to keep myself in the groove.
I...
It's a Train
Steady as she goes. I continued to develop this encaustic today. It still has a long way to go.
And this little 4.5 pound monster slept under my table. He’s a chi/pom mix and he’s been in my anger management class :). After only a few days, he now sits, waits, and is learning to control his temper tantrums. Believe me, he could throw one!! Tiny dogs need the same training...
Have a Little Faith
The uncertainty never ends. I started this piece and IMMEDIATELY started evaluating. Yes, it’s too early to evaluate! I need to let it develop and let IT tell me what to do next. Painting is simply a series of decisions, each built on the last thing that was done, so very little planning is going to work.
Yes, I still plot and plan because it’s a hard habit to break, but...
Improvising
Making art is improvising, right? I know I’m not creative when I’m working off a script. Things have to happen spontaneously or I don’t feel like I’m making art. That’s what making art IS.
On the other hand, improvising out of desperation is a really bad feeling. When I’m trying to SAVE something that feels lost, then I don’t feel very creative. A...
The Composition Blues
I have spent a ridiculous amount of time on this piece. Today I decided to finish the darn thing - for better or worse. It’s been hanging on the edge of the cliff for days lacking one thing. Courage. I pushed it off the cliff today and I might have found something in it. I’m going to continue tomorrow even though I had decided wind it up today, no matter what.
Plans are made...
Structure
It’s time to get back on schedule. My work schedule was demolished by my head cold, then a short trip, then I let my rescue work dominate for a week. It’s similar to slipping out of a healthy eating plan. All it takes is one day totally off track, then healthy structure starts to dissolve.
Over the years I’ve tried different schedules and have needed to change it, depending...
Good Music and Inspiration
Red Clay Survey opened tonight with good music, food, and amazing art. Mark and I enjoyed our evening - I’m inspired to work harder than ever next week. The catalog is viewable at http://www.hsvmuseum.org/
Speaking of next week and work, here is the 4.5 pound reason I won’t get as much done! This cute little guy has a way of stopping me in my tracks. I need to get him adopted...
Monday, Monday
Today was finishing today. The final layer of medium went on this piece.
And this one will get the final layer tomorrow. A third piece is finished too but it came to a painful end :). I might still work with it, taking it in a completely different direction. Or maybe not. I may let it die a quiet, dignified death.
I hate to give up but sometimes it’s nicer to let them go without...
A Promise Kept
Okay, it’s done. Tanner is in a foster home as well as two other dogs I was trying to help. SO, I can paint again. The head cold is cleared up and I’m ready! Tanner and I are both happy tonight :).
6 tags
Stalled
Well, this is where it’s been for several days now. My head cold is holding me up. In the meantime I’m quilting and working on animal rescue. And I met with Carl Gleghorn of Dragonfly Gallery and sent a few pieces with him.
I helped a chubby chihuahua mix leave the shelter and she’s heading to a foster home. My Billy Joel was adopted today and he’s with his new Mom...
Bella Made My Day
This is Bella and I was her taxi today :). Friends of Retrievers pulled her from the shelter and is placing her in a foster home - and I was the lucky person who got to “spring” her and give her a ride to the vet. Since I couldn’t work in the wax today, I was thrilled to spend some time with little Bella. Good day!
Stupid Dumb Stuffy Nose
It’s very frustrating! I catch a cold or bug a couple of times a year, which is aggravating enough, but they keep me from working in wax! I used to do watercolor with a kleenex in my lap. I could sneeze, sputter, and cough….and keep painting.
Not true with encaustic. My swollen nose passages are aggravated by the fumes. I can feel fine and be breathing okay — but after a...
5 tags
Doubts
Doubts are tricky. They creep in when we’re vulnerable — sick, frustrated, or tired. And doubts masquerade as “revelations”. Maybe this is a truth I’ve been hiding from? Maybe I need to face it? Do I really have anything to say? Those are the follow up questions designed to drill the hurt in deeper. I’ve trained myself to be leery of negative thoughts....
So that's it....
Smooch and I had the same attitude on Thursday. Slightly irritated, easily aggravated, and pretty sure that everything I did was a waste of time. I didn’t bother to examine my feelings, I was too busy FEELING them. I worked in the studio but with a huge chip on my shoulder and with major insecurity settled on me like a fog.
Know why? I was getting sick. Yesterday the symptoms of a...
Double Trouble
I have two in process — not sure this is smart but that’s never stopped me before. I’m giving this piece an extra day after each layer so the oil bar can dry totally. I didn’t want to quit for the day so I kept working and…
A second piece is started. Most of this background will be destroyed so it’s hard to figure out now. Not really sure how this one...
Drying
I’m going back to this today. I applied oil bar to the “fruit” or whatever it is and gave it a day to settle. I’m hoping my next layer of medium won’t disturb it. Next will be more fruit and leaves. Wish me luck.
Medium and Small
I ran out today, so I had to take a break and make some encaustic MEDIUM. This is damar resin melting in the electric skillet. It’s gooey and sticky but I’m getting the hang of handling it.
I then add beeswax and melt the two together, watching my temperature carefully. When ready, I pour it through cheesecloth to remove the debris from the resin. There is always junk in it,...
April 2012
15 posts
Bad photography
This shot is so bad. I can’t defeat glare. I guess this one is finished — I’m moving on. I think I might do a thing or two to this one but I might not.
I’ve started a new small piece and the first layer did not go well — I’ll probably scrape it down completely tomorrow. I felt pretty discouraged so I took a break from the wax today. Cleaned the studio,...
Working with Billy Joel
I had difficulty concentrating today but I managed to keep my little piece rolling along. Billy Joel was in my studio and I was a little star struck. He’s watched me work!
He’s a cool guy even if he does need a haircut. Meet B.J., my new foster dog.
4 tags
Goals
Goals work if we do. Otherwise, they mean nothing. The last time I was accepted to Red Clay, I promised myself that the next time I applied it would be in a different medium. At that time, I thought the next Red Clay would be in two years so a goal was identified and a time frame in place!
I started working in casein shortly after and eventually began experimenting with encaustic. I...
4 tags
The Meaning of Red Clay
There haven’t been a lot of constants through my art development, besides my constant desire to work and learn. I’ve tried different things and shown my work in different ways. Aside from working daily in the studio, everything has changed around me or I’ve made different choices over the years.
Red Clay Survey has been a challenge from the first year I painted and has...
4 tags
Red Clay
This is the encaustic that has been accepted to Red Clay this year. Did you hear me scream? Because I did! I submitted four different subjects on a whim. The Jurors chose this train piece and it made it through the two jury process - jury of images and then an on site jury of delivered work.
Red Clay Survey is a juried exhibition of contemporary southern art, hosted by the Huntsville...
Can You Find all the....
There are five of them living at the studio and it’s very unusual to see all of them at one time! I left the dogs at home today, went to the encaustic table, and when I came out, they were all lounging in the front room. I love Carm and her boys in spite of the cat hair I picked out of my wax today!
A Scary Start
This looks garish now….but the bold color will be tamed by future layers of wax. Also, leaves will cover up some of this. I try to think ahead at the same time that I’m NOT overplanning. Even I’m confused.
Laying the plan on top every now and then helps. I won’t follow it exactly but it helps me stay on track. Otherwise, a different idea each day leads to no...
A Start
Today was marginally productive. I decided on a simple project.
And this is as far as I got. Yes, a bare board and I began mixing color. Some progress is better than no progress. Right?
I stared at this little basket way too long at our rummage sale, and had to bring it in the studio. It looked so a USEFUL! It’s the perfect resting place for my heat gun. I’m more excited...
A Picture is Worth....
After a week of rummage sale prep, this picture says it all. I went back to work today, finishing a small very green encaustic. I’m totally out of sync but the only way to get back IN SYNC is to work. It’s sad what I did to my little piece today but the only option was to not do it. So I jumped in. This is the area immediately to the left of my encaustic board. What a mess!
...
Recovery
The studio cats and I are in recovery! The Friends of Retrievers Rescue had a successful weekend, using the “studio corner” as our rummage sale location. I love that my little corner was able to serve homeless animals.
I’ve explained the mission to Carm and the boys….and they were good sports…but they are breathing a sigh of relief that they have their home back....
Double Duty
The studio has been Dog Rescue Central this week. Our rummage sale for Friends of Retrievers Rescue is happening on the front lawn….and side driveway….and back lawn. We have a very successful day with tons of volunteer workers and TONS of sales!
And the money raised is for dogs like this one. This is Little Red, my foster dog. he’s 18 lbs of bubble and bounce —...
Traveling
These aren’t custom boxes but they sure work great! After carrying heavy watercolors for so many years, this is really a change. I really hate to add more plastic to the world but until I come up with a better idea, I feel like they’ll travel safe in the van this way.
A New Crop
I finished framing a new group of encaustics yesterday — and they’re loaded to travel. I’ll deliver them to Blue Spiral on Saturday, along with a couple of pieces from my last group. I had to hang on to a few pieces last trip because they were submitted to an exhibition. Results are in and I can release some of them now.
Framing is one of those things I dread, then enjoy....
Framed
Yesterday was….crazy at the studio. I framed encaustics while socializing a very frightened dog….while answering the phone….all the the middle of rummage sale chaos. My rescue group, www.FORrescue.net, is having a rummage sale to pay vet bills for our homeless dogs. The sale will be held at my studio so I’m GROUND ZERO right now.
I’m going back in. If you...
Gearing Up
I did something today I haven’t done in ages. I surfed for exhibition opportunities. Looking forward, I think it’s time to explore what’s out there and start responding to calls for entries. I don’t think I want to ship my encaustic pieces, so I’ll be more selective than I have been before, but it’s time to get back in the game.
Applying to exhibitions at...
New Girl
Today was Rhoda’s first day at the studio. The worried look on her face is because she’s spending her first day without her Mama. I kept her busy and she’s a happy girl….just a little perplexed. Mary has gone to another foster home since they’ll probably be separated when adopted. Both girls were in terrible shape when we pulled them from the shelter and are...
March 2012
19 posts
Times Change
This piece will be 9.5” x 9.5”. My plan is ready and the wax is on the board. Before starting this piece I prepared my resume for a museum show that recently accepted my work. THAT was an eye opener. I knew my art life had changed but I’d forgotten how much. I traveled and shipped work to exhibitions for so long….and then stopped. There was no way to do both and I...
4 tags
On Thin Ice
This piece is coming along and just yesterday I mused that I haven’t had a problem with thin wax….yet. Well, yet happened today and in the most unexpected place. Two areas on on the gauge box (to the right) became too thin and I had to spend an hour or so addressing it. I have faith I can still get what I want here but I quit a little early today. I’ve worked too long on...
A Weird Place
This piece is coming along - I’ve been working steadily for the last couple of days. Today I started developing the final element — the gauges (the huge obnxious rectangle!) I’m hoping this works, suddenly the whole piece is dominated by a big rectangle. Keep working….don’t think too much….I’ll get past this awkward stage. And repeat.
Add and Take Away
All the elements aren’t included yet. Today, I scraped back a lot of the oil bar and I feel better about it. Taking away was the best thing I did today.
Another Day..
I love the colors in this piece….I need to break away and add some punch. Not sure I will though!
I think I’ll increase the contrast with darker darks and lighter lights. We’ll see where it goes tomorrow.
4 tags
New Week, New Painting
I started this encaustic with butterflies in my stomach while slightly hovering on my stool. With feelings that were half excitement and half dread - I mixed three encaustic paints that I thought would be the right value for a starting point….and plunged in.
That “almost awful” feeling is why I try new media. If I’m not uncomfortable and some point in a painting then...
5 tags
New Work
A new drawing is ready. I worked out this plan, on tracing paper, yesterday and began preparing the board. I also put the final layer of medium on my last piece. I had given it several days of rest so the oil bar I had applied could dry. It worked and the last layer of medium didn’t disturb it.
Late in the day I picked up two pugs from our shelter who are in a terrible state of...
I'm coming....
I missed them! I’m back in the studio tomorrow and priority one is to spend some quiet time with my studio cats. Priority two is to get get my wax heated and start a new painting. I also need to put a finishing layer of medium on my last piece - I applied oil bar and let it set while I was gone. I’m hoping the last layer will go on without disturbing the oil bar, now that...
9 tags
This time...the Met!
We visit at least one art museum every time we’re in New York. This time it was the Met. Not my first choice, believe it or not :). The Whitney is my favorite and I hoped to see the Biennial. MOMA is usually my second choice in New York. To our surprise, both are closed on Tuesday so we hoofed it over to the Met.
It was wonderful, of course. We focused on the period rooms this...
NYC Energy
Simply being in New York makes me want to understand more, think deeper, and try harder. This city is vibrant in so many ways. Visually, it’s the most stimulating place I can imagine. Plus, it’s filled with people who want something with all their heart. It actually tingles with the energy. When I’m here, I feel a hum in my chest that I try to take back with...
4 tags
Magic Today
Everything is bigger and brighter in New York. The pace, energy, colors….this city is fascinating. Art and design is everywhere. It’s in the places I expect like the Whitney (my favorite museum) and MOMA but also in the shop windows, motel lobbies, skyscrapers at night, even the perfectly put together young women on the street. As I look down on Canal Street from our motel room...
4 tags
Another Goodbye
Layla left me today! I take a break from painting on Friday mornings to transport rescue dogs for Friends of Retrievers Rescue. Today, my foster Layla along with five other dogs left Alabama — all headed to forever homes with approved adopters. I cherish my time in the studio but I’ve learned to do other things that matter to me too. Animal rescue is an important part of my life...
7 tags
Shelved for a few days
I left it here. I’ll be away from this piece for a few days, so I’ll let it settle and come back to it fresh. Getting away from this one will be smart — I need to keep my hands off of it for a while.
And as Layla and I made our last walk together around the studio, I took a few minutes to appreciate my day. Layla will be traveling to her forever home on Friday....
Still in the Valley
I’m almost ready to put the major foreground components in. I’m WAY ready to do that so I can get rid of the dead spaces that are throwing me off visually (very top horizontal and a vertical on the left side). As I look at this image on my computer, I see composition problems that weren’t evident to me today while I worked and I think I can make the corrections tomorrow.
...
The Scary Middle
Am I scared? Oh yeah. I’ve put a ton of hours and sweat into this piece and I have an equally long way to go….and I have a suspicion that I may be totally off track. I’m in the valley where I can’t see my way out….but I keep going because stopping isn’t an option and going back isn’t either.
Every piece has a valley, and I think they should, but...
5 tags
From Airport Road
I worked a few hours in the studio yesterday and then we had a nice dinner at sunset. Today I didn’t make it there at all….too many rescue related details to take care of. That’s okay, I’m excited about going back to work in the morning. Being hungry to work is a good feeling.