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 under my drawing table. Amy was dropped off at a vet clinic on the day before Thanksgiving by Animal Services - to be euthanized. My guess is that a hawk picked her up and dropped her because she raised CAIN! Her right leg is broken and she had body lacerations. She spent the holiday with us and I’m having the leg taken care of this week. She is precious.
I’m working on this piece now. I’m working steadily and of course, with interruptions, but I’m amazed at how slowly it’s coming along. It’s the subject matter I’ve done for years in watercolor and the familiarity feels nice. I think it’s helping me work with wax more confidently at this point. I had so many things to think about at once while working with a new medium — it’s a relief to take one concern off the table! Only I’ll know that I’ve handled the subject differently than I would with watercolor — editing the shadows and making decisions differently.
And I’ve accepted defeat. I’m a messy encaustic artist. I’ve gotten messier in my life IN GENERAL over the last few years. Priorities change….that’s my excuse….and wax has completely defeated all my attempts to keep it clean. At dinner last night I ate with blue wax under my fingernails. I finally found a long apron so my clothes are surviving - but the studio floor will never be the same.
There are problems and then there are PROBLEMS. My Capital P list is fairly short.
