January 2012
9 posts
Got 'em Shot
I grouped a few pieces today to see how they look on the wall. It’s always interesting to see the transformation when they leave my work table. Part of it is the fact that I quit analyzing and become more detached. And a frame always does something magical — it pulls a piece together and convinces me that it IS finished. Some people still revisit a piece after it’s framed...
4 tags
Dogs for Lunch
I framed today and this piece is finally hanging on my studio wall. I worked after dog biz and then again after lunch. And yes, dogs were the subject at lunch. When are dogs NOT the subject? Well, when cats are, I guess.
I frame my work in batches, mainly because I don’t like to pause to do it. The more practical reason is that I purchase my frames wholesale and the shipping is free...
7 tags
Carm in the Middle
Framing today. Gluing backing boards on six encaustics and Carm had to be shifted as I added each new piece to the table. Tomorrow I’ll put them in the frames.
After the glue was dry enough to leave it, I went back to work on the new piece I’ve started.
At the end of the day I said good bye to Noah. I got a text from the shelter over a year ago while I was working at...
A Four Griddle Day
Finished this piece today and then decided I can’t go on without expansion! I have pans of encaustic paint piled around me and I’m getting TENSE! So I took a Target break and bought my third griddle. With my R&F Palette, I know have four heated surfaces. Maybe I’ll be satisfied for a while.
And while I was doing odd jobs before diving into a new piece, I made two...
8 tags
The Color of Berries
Berries start like this. Red, orange, maroon, and yellow is on the palette to the left. Encaustic is a messy business and I’m getting used to it. I never clean brushes and I’ve quit using my soy wax completely. I think that’s progress!
My painting day was interrupted but I managed to start attaching some berries. I want to get a few in before I begin clustering more...
It's Crazy
I was totally absorbed in leaves today - it was a dreary, wet day outside. Jelly and Misty were snoozing in the front room and Dana, my new foster dog, discovered the office chair to be a perfect napping spot. Music from Pandora filled the studio and I worked….one leaf and at time.
At the end of the day I propped this encaustic against the wall to think about where I’ll start...
9 tags
Dana and.....Dana
I spent several hours today on a new encaustic. I prepared the board yesterday with the first layers of wax medium, finishing with blues. Today I started cutting into the wax and creating my leaves, beginning with the ones that are farthest from me.
Using a dental tool, I cut the leaf shapes away, fill with pigmented wax, then scrape the excess away with a straightedge blade. I work...
I took this as far as my preliminary drawing could take me then started drawing directly on the wax today, making changes in the composition. I’m going to put it aside for a day or so and think about it…..or not. I might jump back in tomorrow. I like the piece better in person - the photo is less interesting to me.
And I hung my most treasured Christmas gifts today. I...
I just need to stay a while....
Sasha only needed a babysitter tonight….she really didn’t want to be a bother. She thought she could play with the other dogs and maybe share their toys. T
Think again, Sasha!! Cornell was polite but he wasn’t AT ALL sure about her her intentions! And Jelly thought we had way too many little people in the house. Misty followed her around, making sure she didn’t...
Maybe halfway
Cornell and I worked this afternoon. He spent his first day at the studio and wasn’t a lot of help — but his pure delight with EVERYTHING kept me smiling all day. This piece is coming along. I have a vague plan on tracing paper but I’m mainly enjoying the freedom to let the foliage develop — lights and darks with decisions based on what happened in previous layers....
December 2011
19 posts
8 tags
Now I have proof....
I’ve been feeling somewhat befuddled — slightly askew. It started when I quit making lists and grew worse when I stopped wearing a watch. I’m not complaining - it works for me most of the time. All the same, I’ve been suspecting that I’ve gone off the deep end. At the end of the day today I looked at my work space — and got VISUAL confirmation. A major...
After Stella....
An underpainting in wax - that’s what this is. I’m building layers of wax medium over broad brushed color to “push it back” and then I’ll start developing my limbs and foliage. This could work — I have to believe! I like where it is right now although I’m a little concerned that it’s too strong at this point. Okay…back to believing.
...
4 tags
Pain Pill Please...
I photographed this in New York a few months ago…near the Library somewhere. I loved it and unfortunately, it applied today. My plan to walk the dogs and get an early start at the studio were lambasted by a migraine. At 3am I realized my day wasn’t going to follow my plan — and after years of dealing with migraines, I’ve learned it does NO good to be angry. More...
5 tags
Why aren't you HERE?
George’s evil eye is very effective. George is pretty intense about everything, actually. He thinks I should come back to work and he’s right. Tomorrow is the day.
I also need to cut some wood shelves for this rack. It’s going to serve as a holding rack for encaustics in process. Finding a way to store them so that surfaces won’t get damaged is a problem —...
7 tags
Happy Holidays!
Whether your goal is to enjoy or survive — I hope you making it through! I think it’s a complicated season for most people - for lots of reasons, tons of reasons actually. For me, the change in routine is enough to throw me off. Although the month of December isn’t as crazy as it used to be for me, I’m still ready for my studio schedule by January 2. And usually,...
Going Natural
This is where I’m going next….I think. After the holiday weekend, I plan to begin a piece using this fig tree as my reference. This tree is a few blocks from my house and is gorgeous when laden with fruit. The branches were propped up by 2x4’s this summer. Really nice.
And….I’m slowly being overcome by green wax! I have a full griddle of it - and some...
Is there a good reason?
A good reason to NOT paint, that is? I feel a little guilty tonight but very little….
Today there were two good reasons. Meet Sam. This photo says it all :). After two years in a pen, he’s lovin’ some freedom and can barely contain himself. No kidding, this dog is NOT contained. We’re working on it.
And then there was Daisy. I brought her to Huntsville to live...
Weathered
Finished. This piece has more wax build up :). There is more haze over the color and I’m not sure why — I don’t have more layers. In fact, in areas the wax medium is very thin. The haze is a nice effect in places so I’m still thinking about how I feel about it.
An Early Start
My day started at 6am with this little guy. Rocky and I picked up Amber and the three of us headed to Tennessee to meet their ride. Rocky and Amber have forever homes waiting for them several states north of us….and they’ll arrive very late tonight. I enjoyed giving them a lift out of Alabama on a cold, rainy day. Have a great life, kids.
The rest of the day I worked on this...
5 tags
From Benny to Sundown
I have a new man in my life.
Who can resist a smile like this? He’s been stuck at Huntsville Animal Services since October because of a golf ball size growth on his chest, causing adopters to pass him by. He’s my new foster buddy and he’ll be working with me at the studio for a while. Meet my newest assistant, Benny.
I contiued today on my second railroad piece....
It was a nice day because.....
I worked on this piece yesterday and continued today — the wax is getting thin in places so it’s challenging. By the end of my day today, all of the exposed board was covered. The really nice news of the day is……
Our little Punky found a home!! This lovely couple drove up from Birmingham and took her home as a Christmas surprise for their girls. Only problem was...
Guard Ducks
I don’t put a lot of energy into it — some of the same stuff has been in my studio for years. On the other hand, new things come in every month and yet somehow, it never fills up. My studio is simply my place. I feel like whatever I think or make or do is okay here. I guess that is what a studio should do for an artist.
And if anyone has a problem with that, my Guard Ducks...
2 tags
Leaving
Leaving the studio tonight, she caught my eye. She has watched over my watercolor table for years and now I’m working in a different room. I don’t know whether to move her or get another old soul to watch over me while I work with wax. For some reason, moving her doesn’t seem like a good idea.
I’ll think about it.
Speaking of old, I drive by the Tip Top every...
In the line of .....
I’m sure the Otter Box wasn’t designed for this I’m scraping wax off my phone at the end of each work day. I could move my phone but I have SO many cords and this one only reaches THIS far. And I’m changing Pandora regularly, answering texts, looking at emails. A little wax won’t hurt.
It was a peaceful day. I cleared a spot for Carmela and she made...
6 tags
Tools
From the beginning, my fascination has been with the beeswax. The smell, feel, and very nature of it is a wonder to me and I knew it would be a huge challenge. Working in this medium actually had me stumped for longer than I expected - I did a LOT of staring at the board, walking away, popping the top on a Diet Mountain Dew (a trusted delay tactic) and then staring some more.
What I’ve...
5 tags
Clear Mind, Open Mind
Distractions. I create them if they don’t surface on their own. A wide open studio day can stretch out in front of me and I’ll still sabotage my work day. Today at noon, I was still popping out of my chair for one thing after another. I felt unsettled and I’ve been recognizing for a while that I’m not allowing my mind to flow with my work. I’m dealing with...
It was beautiful outside today but Noah and I were in the same kind of mood. He was in his safe spot on the cabinet and I was in mine behind the encaustic table. I didn’t get there till after 11am because I transported a pup this morning, but I finally made it.
I worked on the undercarriage of my railroad car today, starting to create STUFF. I’m starting with the elements that...
Changing tracks
Today was a good studio day. I finished the fire escape piece and completed the drawing pictured here. My board is prepared with wax medium and I’m ready to start. I have two griddles packed with containers of beautiful colors, some full and others just have a smidgen of pigmented wax — they’re all from the last two pieces I’ve completed. As I look at them on the...
It must be so relaxing...
It’s something artists hear a lot. ”You’re painting? Wow, that must be so relaxing.” or “How nice to get to sit around and paint all day.” I never know how to respond. For years I dreamed of the day when I could paint every day, all day and I’m still completely grateful. But relaxing? Not exactly.
I can only speak from my own experience, but...
November 2011
6 posts
The Holiday Sandwich
We’re in the middle! The pre-Thanksgiving buildup knocked me off the tracks a bit ad then we were out of town over the holiday. I was back in the studio yesterday by sheer determination but our bag still isn’t unpacked or laundry done. Every year I’m determined to work through December and I do….sort of!
Right now I’m working with this 4.6 lb wonder tucked...
Maybe one more day....
I’m going to think about it overnight and put the last layer of wax medium on it tomorrow. I think there are still some areas that I need to bring forward and push back In fact, I see some of them already.
Major discoveries today included Foster for the People, an amazing indie group that was in my ears all afternoon. And the fact that new foster dog, Sophie…..
is NOT house...
Sunday Painter
I worked a couple of hours in the studio yesterday. I lost some of the oil bar work I had done - I guess I tried to put it in too early or got carried away with my razor blade :). Long way to go yet - back at it today.
5 tags
Relationships
I concentrated this morning so deeply that I forgot to turn my music on. It’s hard to believe, looking at this photo, I’m sure. The piece is developing with more interest than you can tell here. When I came up for air, I was pondering what pulls me into such a deep and wonderful place.
It’s the color relationships. I love planting one color against another, making one...
8 tags
Carm, Sophie, and Pandora
I may be the only encaustic artist who works with a cat assistant. As I carved into the wax today, Carmela was pulling the wax curls off the piece with her teeth. Then she decided she wanted to sit in my lap. And yes, the whole time white cat hair is wafting up into the air. It is RIDICULOUS!!!!
But let me tell you, life with Carm has been ridiculous from the moment I met her. I...
October 2011
8 posts
One More Time
The New York alley is finished. I want to do this same alley in a vertical composition with a different palette. It seems odd to want to do the same subject twice - that’s unusual for me - but in this case, I really want to pull a different piece from the same subject as a challenge.
I made a simple drawing on tracing paper and prepared my board today. I’m using tinted wax...
100 Little Things
I kept working today in spite of a hundred little things. I’m having a lot of trouble photographing pieces now — the glare from the overheads is terrible. Still thinking about this one but I’m nearing the end. I’m sure I’ll work a few more hours on it.
And this is one of the hundred little things today :) This is Dorothy, sitting behind my encaustic table...
6 tags
Darn Oil Bars...
I bought a few oil bars a year or more ago and after a few very frustrating attempts, put them in a drawer. I felt like I’d find a use for them eventually. Today, I needed some subtle texture and value changes. I used rough sand paper to indent the wax surface and tried heating the edge of an oil bar before applying VERY lightly and smudging.
For the first time, I see oil bars in my...
Back to Work
After a week of traveling followed by a week of nursing a cold, I’m finally heating wax again. I pulled out the piece I was working on before the long interruption and was afraid to dive in. It’s strange what a week or two away will do.
I picked up a tool, feeling very uncertain, and dug in — and a few hours later, couldn’t figure out where the day had gone :).
...
Carm in Charge
Carm was front and center today. All day. Maybe she sensed that SOMEBODY needed to take control! I came back from the Keys with a terrible cold and know from experience that I can’t work with wax until my congestion is gone. So, I thought I’d work in casein for a week. Well, that plan bit the dust when I discovered I was out of illustration board. I placed my order and it...
Interruption!
We were traveling last week and I was feeling weird about interrupting my work for a week - but it’s just a week, right? Not a big deal.
Well, I picked up a massive head cold last week and now I have to work through my two weeks of dripping, dragging, snorting, gagging, and coughing. No, I don’t have a positive attitude.
The one thing I learned last year is I can’t continue...
Chinatown Alley
I’m working on the first layers for a new encaustic. It’s based on a wonderful alley I discovered near Chinatown in New York. We were there a few weeks ago and this alley was fascinating —- shades of gray with fascinating textures and lines. Of course, I’m pushing the grays toward blues, greens, and reds. I know this first layer will become muted as I add layers of...
A Beautiful Weekend
We did it! Two days of yard sale for the DOGS and it was very successful. We set up at 6am yesterday and today - the front yard of the studio was covered with tables and we had two tents in the driveway for clothing, shoes, and handbags. WE HAD A BLAST!
The icing on MY cake is that Zoe, my foster dog, was adopted at the yard sale! A lovely lady that is a supporter of our group fell in...
September 2011
12 posts
A Multipurpose Life
The studio is doing double duty this week….and I’m very proud! The rescue group I’m working with, Friends of Retrievers Rescue Inc, is having a HUGE yard sale and my studio is hosting the event. We’ll be set up on Friday and Saturday from 7am - 2pm along Oakwood Avenue and my place has been the collection point for donations. Actually, this photo is a week old —...
Oops, I did it again
Yep, I did it again. I’ve fallen in the animal rescue hole and I can’t get out :) Last week I transported Joanie, the golden to her foster home. Then I picked up Snow and two pups at Athens Dog Pound and transported to a vet so they could get on their way to foster care.
Meanwhile, I accepted a Yorkie as a foster, took him to the vet, and met an adopter from Georgia yesterday. ...
Big Sky
This is the idea. This is the third Oakwood Power Lines piece - and the largest encaustic I’ve done so far. This one will be 12” x 16”. It may not sound large but it’s a lot of wax to control with a tiny single edge blade!
Mixing blues….
and starting my sky with a heated palette knife.
Oakwood Power Lines Two
I’m moving on tomorrow to my third power lines piece. I’m planning a larger vertical encaustic, 18” x 12”. That isn’t exactly large but LARGER. I haven’t been in a hurry to increase the size of my pieces. After working large in watercolor for so long, I’m getting a kick out of my small caseins and encaustics.
10 tags
Stringing Line
I hope to finish this piece today. It’s the second Oakwood Power Lines encaustic — I have more lines to “install”. Wish me luck - this piece is getting touchy. The tricky part has proven to be not disturbing the sky as I scrape back with the blade. I didn’t expect it because I have a very generous layer of wax for the sky but I used pure white in the...
12 tags
Would You Be Mine? Could You Be Mine? Won't You...
The view out my studio windows isn’t beautiful - on one side is a sheetmetal fabrication business and on the other side is a bail bondsman. Across the street is an attorney’s office in a very modest little house and behind me is a tiny house where a couple lived with their FIVE white pit bulls until they were “invited” to leave.
I keep my doors locked and most of the...
5 tags
The Wrong Tool Challenge
It’s important to make things as difficult as possible. Take a long time to figure things out and be unprepared — words to live by! I’m pretty sure they sell electric tools to do what I want but that would be cheating. I’m pretty sure that’s cheating.
I planned this simple piece that depends heavily on a nice graded sky. Without an interesting sky, there...
15 tags
Hard to Say Goodbye
It’s harder for some artists than others - saying goodbye to a painting. I don’t think it means one artist cares about their work more than another, although there are artists who crank out the same image repeatedly until it is robotic. I won’t wade into those murky waters though.
In my experience, the difference is what I’m connecting to — the end product of my...