Dana Brown

Working toward the Foreground

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:09:00 -0500

I’m home but my head is still in this painting. I started the day at 10am with a bag of cheetos and a Diet Mountain Dew. Every day should start with a nutritious breakfast. I worked till 3pm when the dogs were getting restless so I took them home and zoomed back to continue. They’ve started wanting to go home mid-day which is fine — I need some fresh air and a few minutes away from the painting by that time anyway. I realized it was dark outside at 6:30 and closed down for the day.

On days like this, I’m reminded of the wisdom of having a detached studio. If I worked at home, I’d still be working…..and it wouldn’t be smart. At a point, I’m not as tuned in and really need to stop. Knowing WHEN that is can be KEY.

The best part of being an artist is....

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:59:21 -0500

drumroll…..the best part is not dreading Monday! As a kid I hated the Lassie Show on Sunday night because it meant I was one bedtime from a Monday morning. When I worked a traditional job, Sunday nights were the worst — a long, structured week was ahead. Not to be negative, but those were tough times.

As a painter, I work hard and feel very committed — but I LOVE what I do. I enjoy getting in my car and driving to the studio. Of course, there are days when I can’t get excited about working but truthfully, there is NEVER somewhere I’d rather be. Actually, that can be weird. If I don’t want to be at the studio then I’m very freaked out….because I don’t know where I want to be. I only have one favorite place.

Today, I only had a few hours at the studio so I used my time to clean up my work area. I needed to push back the disorder, sweep, and rethink what’s at arms length. Done! I’m ready for Monday and I’m looking forward to it.

Groovin'

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:35:10 -0500

Part of getting in a productive groove is figuring out a system. And I tend to not figure it out….I stumble over it and finally crash into it. I really think that has been the hardest part of learning to work with wax. The tools and process are so completely different from anything I’ve done before. As I pushed my pans closer together to make room for ONE MORE today, I saw evidence that I was finally getting into a groove. I’ve had to make decisions about what kinds of pans and brushes work best, how to make paint, how to organize colors, so so so many decisions…..but there is a method to my madness now. Finally.

This piece is 18” x 24” and I’m enjoying working a little larger. It’s definitely a slower process — and more physical, believe it or not. My whole day was spent on the dark indigo areas of this piece. I carved out these areas, painted, then scaped back with a blade. I finished with a layer of clear medium.

Mind Your Beeswax

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:59:47 -0500

http://pinterest.com/mindyourbeeswax/

When I first looked at Pinterest I thought it was for addicted shoppers - I didn’t get it. It slowly dawned on me that I could use it to collect what I’m interested in…and now I am….addicted.

It’s helping me become more curious. Surfing the web was awkward because I didn’t have a purpose OR I couldn’t stay on task. If I don’t know where I’m going, I have a hard time enjoying the trip. Pinterest has given me a picture frame for my web wandering.

I actually think it’s useful for me. I”m looking around and I think that’s good.

Road Trip!

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:42:57 -0500

Jelly, Misty, Dana Rogy, and I loaded our van and headed north yesterday. I decided it was time to get some feedback on my encaustic paintings from the staff of a trusted gallery. I’ve been working in near isolation for over a year and have been feeling the need to get a reading. What a reading means….I’m not sure. No one is going to change my mind about what I’m doing but I need to know if anyone else sees what I see.

Knowing when to listen to someone else’s opinion is very tricky - and intensely personal. For me, I need to feel like the work is close enough to “there” that I’ve done my part but not wait till I am entrenched in a way of working and a message to the point that input will devastate me. Timing….so much timing.

Above all, I have to listen. I don’t have to use what I hear but I need to hear what is said. I think I can learn from every comment and it’s my choice if I let it change my direction. Actually, some comments strengthen my resolve to NOT alter to please - while other comments bring something to my attention that I really want to address. It’s my art and I make all the decisions.

The best part of my meeting today was that I feel encouraged. I’m enthused about working harder and feel less like a recluse. I’m very appreciative for the help I received today. Very.

Brilliant, right?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:37:47 -0500

Painting storage is a BIG DEAL for me because of the the dumb stuff I’ve done in the past. Actually, I’ve done five dumb things — they’re named Carm, George, Noah, Smooch, and Spoon. With cats in the studio, paintings are NEVER left in the horizontal position!

This bakers rack is working great for encaustics and caseins. They’re protected from dust and little feet. And I adore all ten little feet, by the way. They’re all rescues who needed a safe home and regular groceries. Below are George and Carm - best buds when they aren’t in mortal combat.

The Terror Begins

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:43:54 -0500

I’m starting the new piece. A ground of wax medium has been applied to the board in several layers, fusing after each. Here I’m carving the area away for my first layer of pigmented wax. This piece is the largest I’ve done yet and I could fill large areas with wax, making it harder to keep the painting surface level, so I’m segmenting my composition so I can avoid that problem….as much as possible, anyway.

Filling, I want to let one color flow into the next. I want change all the time but I want my colors to be in harmony. I also know that this first layer should be slightly bolder than I ultimately want because it will diminish under layers and layers of wax medium applied later.

After scraping back and working in two additional areas, this is where I left my encaustic today. A long LONG way to go but I got over the fear of STARTING. I did a lot of staring, color mixing, testing, and general avoiding before starting today. Tomorrow I hope to jump in quickly

BIG

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:31:02 -0500

I photographed this in Chase, AL. It’s some kind of old englne that was on the ground, alone in a field. I love it and it’s probably still there - I need to go check. I did a watercolor of a portion of it several years ago and now, I’m using it as a subject for an encaustic. It will be large by my standards - 16” x 24”. I have no idea how this will develop in wax but I’m giving it a shot. I’m excited but more terrified than anything. I’m going to harness my fear for good :).

Layout

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:25:17 -0500

This is really getting funny. I struggled with how to add a fourth palette for weeks - the trick is that I want all my paint pans to the right of me but I can’t bring a brush of hot wax TOO FAR. You’d be surprised how big a deal I made of it. Anyway, I solved my problem last week and I’m working happily…..

Till now. I’ve decided to work on a larger board 16” x 24” and that will change everything again! I also have a tendency of never going back to smaller work once I increase the size of my board (or paper) - so I’m torn about whether to take the step. Judging from the past, it will be a definite step.

Under Repair

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:20:34 -0500

That may be the title of this piece, seriously. I’ve learned more about “fixing things” on this one that I ever wanted to know! My wax was too thin in one area and it didn’t become evident until my final four or five layers of “apply and scrape back”. I learned a new use for a bamboo tool yesterday and the value of preserving a little of my base wax colors until I finish a piece (you never know if you’ll need them). This has been a valuable learning piece and I’ve salvaged it so far. I still have a day or so to go, so I won’t speak too soon.

And the studio was used this week for a Friends of Retrievers foster home meeting. Our group gathered to discuss fostering, procedure, and get to know each other a little better. I am BEYOND fortunate to have friends in two caring and forward thinking communities — artists and animal rescuers. Both groups think outside the box and look for answers instead of excuses.

Speaking of fosters, the third passenger on the way to the studio every morning is Dana. She’s my current foster dog, a rescue from our local animal shelter. Dana appeared basically healthy but I soon discovered she had severe allergies, digestive upset, two broken teeth, sores along the gum line, and she was very sad and depressed. Our Dana is NOW on a grain free diet and feeling 100% better!! She’s had a dental and those bad teeth are gone, and she’s skipping through her day like a happy little dog should. Fostering is one of the most positive experiences of my life - next step for Dana…..her very own happy home :).

Knowing when to say when

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:48:48 -0500

I ended my day here. I spent several hours on this piece and should have stopped thirty minutes before I did. I’m so reminded of my early days in watercolor — I’m tempted to work an hour beyond my fatigure point — thirty minutes into that hour I stop but it’s already too late. I’ve done something I wish I hadn’t. It’s all part of learning and I still wonder. When will I know enough?!?

Of course, thirty minutes beyond good decision making is certainly better than plunging ahead for hours. It’s all part of paying attention to the nagging doubts and knowing when they are a real signal to back away. Sometimes taking a break to think and take a fresh look is enough — other times it’s best to call it a day.

I’m going back tomorrow. Call me crazy but I just keep going back.

Hard at it

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:02:45 -0500

I’m continuing to work on this piece — only had a few hours today because I transported Rosie and Annabelle to their “ride north” this morning. You’ll notice in the top left corner, I”m cutting into the wax, preparing to put the shadows on the brick wall.

My rough plan is on tracing paper. It’s basically a cartoon with placement of the largest shapes. The last thing to go into this composition will be a fire escape - which is the closest thing to the viewer.

I love the wax medium in the pans — much like with watercolor, I mix on the piece as I paint and the colors on the wax piece are a combination of what is here. I never try to mix exactly what I want on the palette — being too intentional never seems to work for me.

Got 'em Shot

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:24:25 -0500

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 but I rarely do - I have to move on at some point.

I packed up five encaustics and took them to be photographed. It’s interesting after lugging around watercolors for so many years - sliding them into boxes and loading them vertically in the back of my van. I’m paranoid about traveling and handling these wax pieces but I know I’ll adjust.

Walt Schumacher with WSPhoto did my photos. He’s quick and has a great set up, and can be contacted at walt@WSPhoto.org. I was in and out in 30 minutes! He’ll provide a CD but I just asked that he email my images to me and I’ll pay via Paypal. Love it!!

Then back to the studio this afternoon. My new setup is working — I’ve added a palette, so the pans I’m using the most are on the table beside my piece. The “L” shape is becoming a long reach but so far, it’s manageable.

Dogs for Lunch

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:24:08 -0500

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 IF I purchase over five frames at a time. If I wait too long the task is overwhelming, so five or six is a good number to work with.

Tomorrow I’m having my encaustics professionally photographed and it’s the first time I’ve hired a pro in years. Photographing my watercolors was a simple process - setting up two light stands at 45 degree angles and shooting. My encaustics are going to require a different approach - maybe a couple of diffusers will be all I need but I’m going to let a pro help me this time. Thank you, Walt!!

Carm in the Middle

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:08:01 -0500

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 the studio - they had a kitten with a cut down the side of his nose and asked if I wanted to come get him. I went over and got the very shy black kitten and he began his journey through foster homes and adoption events. Noah landed back with me ;). His right eye still drains occasionally and he has a small scar down his nose — he’s very shy and cautious by nature so he’s joined my family of wonderful misfit cats. He’s beautiful and I’m lucky to have him.

A Four Griddle Day

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:55:43 -0500

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 batches of medium — this is ten pounds of beeswax and a smaller bag of damar resin. I use the standard 8 to 1 ratio and now prepare medium in an electric skillet.

This will last a few paintings. My new drawing is completed and board is on the table. Tomorrow I begin.

The Color of Berries

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:02:07 -0500

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 leaves. I’ll add more berries in the final layers.

And they just don’t get cuter than this. Dana burrows in and all I usually see exposed is her nose….or her tail. She’s precious and quiet as a mouse around the studio. She loves going every morning and is happy to settle into my office chair and snooze through the day. She’s going to make someone a terrific companion.

It's Crazy

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:04:39 -0500

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 tomorrow and it struck me as odd, as it does every now and then — that doing this is so important to me. I spend hours, days actually, working on a board - and while I’m doing it, my successes and failures effect my outlook on everything in my life. My whole world is dictated by a 12” x 16” piece of wood….and some wax.

It’s crazy. It really is.

Dana and.....Dana

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:30:00 -0500

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 until the surface needs to be protected by a layer of wax medium then scrape it back to a very thin, smooth surface. Then I begin again.

This is where I left it today….branches, more leaves, and eventually berries will come, pretty much in that order.

Little Cornell was adopted by a wonderful family so I went to the shelter yesterday and asked this beautiful lady if she’d like to hang out with me for a while. Her name is Dana and she’s a perfect companion. After three weeks in a dog cell, she was THRILLED to get in the car and blow that joint! And I learned today that when Dana sleeps…..

She burrows!! A few minutes after this she was all the way in and didn’t come out for a couple of hours. She’s so darn cute.

I took this as far as my preliminary drawing could take me then started drawing directly on the wax...

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:45:37 -0500

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 received art from my grandsons!