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 is going to evolve. I just hope it DOES evolve.
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.
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, so I’m careful to strain it so my medium is clean.
Finally, I pour it into muffin tins to set.
Then back to work! This is the SMALL piece I’m working on.
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, did some rearranging, and spent time with the cats.
Tomorrow, I’m going back in :). Yes, I am!!
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.
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 honestly can say that my Red Clay goal was the driving force. As it happened, Red Clay Survey was put on hold for a few years. It’s reinstated but it wouldn’t have mattered. I have two other exhibition prospectus on my bulletin board - both with June deadlines. I’m working toward those as well.
Creating goals and deadlines to keep myself focused has always worked and I choose the ones that will encourage me to do better work. Or to do work that will strengthen me as an artist. I don’t see deadlines as negative because I’m choosing them. They are there to make me better.
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 always prompted me to grow. I’ve seen amazing work that excited me, causing me to work harder and introducing me to new ideas. Because of Red Clay, I started visiting art museums and accepted work that was beyond my understanding. I remember standing in the Huntsville Museum of Art when I saw the first Red Clay Survey and feeling a shift - a shift in my understanding of what art was.
We can open ourselves to new ideas - in this case, recognizing new expressions as art and appreciating them - or we can close our mind and heart. I’m appreciative to the Huntsville Museum of Art and Red Clay Survey for opening my eyes many years ago.
Tomorrow I hope to write about my personal decision when I exhibited at the last 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 Museum of Art. It was a personal challenge to enter with encaustics, my newest medium. I’ve shown in Red Clay with my watercolors several times over the years and it has great significance for me. Finding the courage to enter and trying to do better work every year that might be appreciated are equally important. This time the challenge had a deeper meaning.
I hope to write more about that tomorrow night.
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!
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 direction at all.
New greens! No gray greens this time…I’m keeping them cleaner and brighter. New color with each new piece is exciting.
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 about this than anything in ages. How warped is that?
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!
My small piece is too hazy - I’m hoping it settles down a little overnight. I’m not sure where I’m going next. A good night’s sleep might help :). If not, I’ll continue down the path of destruction and begin a new painting. That usually works.
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. My building was STUFFED with donations for the last two weeks and STUFFED with people for the last two days. Carm actually enjoyed the party but the boys are glad it’s over :).
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 — and he was in a kill shelter and wouldn’t be alive today without the support of our foster home group. Write a check to your local rescue group. We do unbelievable work to raise money to pay vet bills. Your help makes a difference!
Monday I’ll go back to work at the encaustic table. I’m looking forward to it :).
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.