This week I let myself drift into several new ways of using the encaustic medium. I have always been cautious when it comes to exposing my art to the public eye but I have been more willing to take chances on my blog. Sometimes I use your feedback here and then decide which pieces I will feature in upcoming shows and it really is nice having this venue for previewing my artwork.
I demonstrated encaustic image transfers on Tuesday night although I didn't have time to complete this transfer until the next day. Dimensional landscape painting has been my way of incorporating wax in my artwork for the past year and a half.
Frozen Pond, 8" x 8'
At the demo I also talked about the endless possibilities artists have been using wax medium and I also decided to try a few new things. There are actual maple leaves in the collage below, but I wanted them to look more like skeletons so they are flattened and encased in wax.
Red Maple, 8" x 8"
I walk my dog every morning and even though the ocean has never been a subject I have gravitated toward, I felt like I had to try to paint the way the water and sky made me feel. I never would have attempted an abstract if it weren't for all the questions and preparations I made before the demonstration. I also came to realize I know more about this medium than I originally thought.
Gray Day at the Beach, 10" x 10"
I like the beach piece but I absolutely love the Frozen Pond. For me, your winter scenes "freeze" with the encaustics--cold and beautiful. Looks like a bit of wind could snap those branches at any minute; they look precarious, and I like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hallie. I have been following Katharine Cartwright's blog this week and I think the combination of conversation she has been facillitating (making me think too much!) with the encaustic demo I taught had me more curious about using encaustics in new ways. I also prefer the image transfer techniques and will probably continue focusing on that.
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm blown away by all three of these! I like Hallie's assessment of "Frozen Pond". I shivered when I saw the piece and then shivered again after reading what she said. "Gray Day at the Beach" had me sitting here with my mouth open as I enjoyed the way you expressed yourself through the wax. It's really powerful. But, I can't quit going back to "Red Maple". I find this piece totally enthralling. I totally get the 'skeletal' feel you were going for, but there is something about this piece that elicits a joy in me that I cannot quite explain. Kudos on pushing the envelop. Thanks for sharing these, and keep up the great work.
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Thanks, Don. It's always uncomfortable for me when I feel like I am out of my element but I totally got into working with leaves and organic materials this week, maybe I will keep doing it.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the Beach piece! The maples are good too. I think they are better than the always beautiful tree paintings because they are 'pure'. No transfers. Maybe I don't know what I am talking about, lol. but I know what I feel! I am not saying don't do the landscapes, they are so beautiful and showcase your wonderful photography skills but the others have way more meaning to me and I am happy you went out of your comfort zone..I am proud of you!
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised that the "wax beach artist" prefers the beach painting! but actually, I do understand what you are saying about the other works being pure. I plan on continuing to explore encaustics in new ways, I think I am still not sure where my encaustic niche will be.
ReplyDeleteI'm back. I know what Wax Beach Artist is saying and agree that the "pure" ones show amazing growth. If I ever get to encaustics I plan not to use transfers but to carve into the wax. (However, the encaustic process ices those transfers.)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting - everyone who commented here (and also in emails to me) has mentioned different pieces being their preferences, so it just goes to show you that art truly is subjective. I have loved learning how to improve my image transfer process, but at the same time I am excited to learn how to use the medium in new ways, something I started doing more intensely this week. Hallie, I think it's time for you to go to a Walmart and buy an electric griddle (the palette), a fondue heater for keeping the wax medium liquid, and a few encaustic paints. It's time!
ReplyDeleteRobin, I love them all! Mostly I appreciate that you continue to push yourself as an artist.
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't need to make a trip to Walmart--I've had the supplies for a couple of years; also read several books on encaustics. I like being prepared; just waiting for a block of time, maybe after the holidays.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, you are an awesome cheerleader! It will be fun to see what you end up doing with the encaustics, Hallie. Happy Sunday to both of you.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE all three pieces. Each speaks to me in a unique way. Even though I'm drawn to more abstract work the landscape works for me too.It just goes to show what a creative artist you are.
ReplyDeleteHowever, take it from an old timer, who made her living as an artist. Find what you love to do and stick with it. In time you will develop a following and people will start to know your work without asking or looking for your signature. You know a Monet or Cezanne as soon as you see it. Right? "Oh my, that's Robin's work I would know it anywhere and I love it!" Remember you only have to please one person and that's yourself. Otherwise you'll be jumping hoops trying to please everyone and never getting anywhere.
Eva, I have loved doing the transfers but I know it doesn't take full advantage of what encaustic medium can do, it just felt like an easy and natural move into painting with wax. Now that I have developed a better use of the medium I want to explore using it differently although I think I am still happiest doing the transfers. I will take your advice to heart though, and thank you.
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