Marsh Grass

"Marsh Grass" 

30" x 60" encaustic on panel

The safest way to store large paintings is by hanging them... and so that is how my newest work is shown above. I have to admit the colors and fabrics in my living room inspired the painting, both earth tones and linear shapes as I re-created the tranquility of an early misty morning at the marsh. I have always strived to bring the beauty of nature into my art and home. I used the same translucent watercolor wash techniques when I applied encaustic pigments and medium.

I am also planning on reworking several of my large watercolor landscapes by adding layers of wax textures, then framing under glass and spacing the matt in order to prevent the wax from touching the glass. Motivation is coming from my summer show schedule and the opportunity to exhibit large mixed media works. So far, I have committed to weekend festivals in May (1) and June (will choose 1 of 2), still waiting to hear about one more show in August.

Inspiration comes and goes in spurts, right now lots of it is coming my way and I just want to embrace it all.

Charlie on the couch

City Life

The gallery representing my work recently sold 2 of my paintings and has asked me to bring in more work. That was the motivation I needed to get back in the groove. 

"Big Bowl"

2.5 x 3.5 mixed media

"LaSalle Street"

2.5 x 3.5 mixed media

I have also started a large 30 x 30 encaustic painting that will not include an image transfer but will be painted free hand. Several layers of wax into it, I have established the composition - pussy willows  and marsh grass in the foreground, pond and sky in the back ground, and most likely dragonflies will be strategically placed. There is a lot more work to be done but I had to put this aside in order to create new work for the gallery. I have a 2nd panel the same size and depending on how things develop I may end up with a large diptych. 

Before you know it, the festival season will be here and I will have a 10 x 10 booth to fill. It's almost show time, folks, and I have lots of work to do.

Slow Recovery

About 2 weeks ago I had the best time in New Orleans and then off to Cajun Country, so much fun that when I came back to Chicago I was sick with high temperature, bronchitis, and total exhaustion. I am still not up to my usual high energy self but I finally did feel well enough to get back to painting.

The French Quarter

2.5 x 3.5 encaustic on board

At this point I have only painted from one of my photos taken in front of Muriel's, my favorite restaurant in the quarter, adjacent to Jackson Square. The horse and buggy walking past Muriel's combined with the french inspired architecture is the epitome of the Quarter for me. I am sure I will want to work larger with many of the photos I have from my recent trip.

I also visited my old neighborhood a few days ago and could not get over how big the trees have gotten, and how small the houses were. My childhood memories are filled with playing on the street with the neighborhood kids, climbing trees, and rolling in the grass. I never noticed the houses or their size when I was growing up. It was an eery feeling to see where my home once stood ... it is now replaced with a McMansion that looks totally out of place with the rest of the street. The trees were bare, beautiful, and still cozy, and I had to paint them.

"Birchwood Memories"

8 x 8 encaustic on cradled panel

I am starting to hear back from the weekend art festivals I applied to participate in as an exhibitor this summer. The only definite yes I have received at this point is in Winnetka, IL on June 21 - 22. The North Shore Art League sponsors an "Art in the Village" event, (it is also where I will be teaching starting next month). 

http://www.northshoreartleague.org

I applied to another show in Evanston, and one other in Deerfield. I missed the cutoff in January for the biggest show sponsor, Amdur Productions Next year I will be more punctual with my applications.

Workshop, Show, e-book

It's official - I will be offering a 1-day workshop on April 26, 12:30 - 5pm at the North Shore Art League in Winnetka, IL. Spring class information will be posted on the website in the next few weeks. The encaustic workshop will be a predecessor to a weekly encaustic class in the Fall assuming all goes well. We will cover basic studio safety, use of materials, and how to paint with wax. I will be demonstrating a variety of techniques accompanied with plenty of painting time.

I also have been notified that all 3 of my paintings were accepted into "Encaustic Nature in Art" at the Art Center in Highland Park, IL. The show opens and runs through the month of March and for me the opening reception on March 7 will be the first time I visit the art center. It's starting to feel like I actually am establishing myself in the arts community here in the midwest. There are so many opportunities, it all takes time to pick and choose the right fit for my artwork.

Paintings in the show:

"Autumn Sky", 6" x 6"

"Pathway", 24" x 18"

"Pollinator", 6" x 6"

Last bit of news - it's taken several years but Linda Robertson Womack is finishing details on her soon to be published e-book, "Embracing Encaustic", and yours truly is one of the featured artists included in the book. I will hear in the next few weeks when the book will be released and I am thrilled. The book is an excellent tool for beginners to advanced encaustic artists in search of new inspiration, studio tips and plenty of visuals with different techniques describing how to paint with beeswax.

Painting to be included in the e-book:

"Sunday on Snow Street", 8" x 8"

There are over 70 encaustic artists in the book and each has explained their technique accompanied with a sample of their work. I have a hard copy of the 2nd edition but the e-book will be less expensive with more content. As more information becomes available, I will share it here.

Thinking Summer thoughts, Warm thoughts

"Kayaks"

8" x 8" encaustic on panel

This winter in Chicago is one of the coldest and snowiest that has been recorded, ever. I know it's not usually like this and I have to admit, it's starting to get on my nerves! Walking my dog is a problem, his paws sting from the chemicals in the salt on the treated sidewalks and it's just too cold to go out for any length of time. I can hardly wait for the summer warmth and sun to return.

I decided to paint one of my photos from the local beach I walked past daily when I lived on the east coast. I was attracted to the colors more than anything else although the composition of the stacked boats with the cast shadows was also eye catching. It was a good sign when I posted this painting on Facebook and one of my friends said her kayak was the middle yellow along with the smaller blue to the right, the fact that she recognized them made me feel good. I may have to continue to paint the colors of summer just to give myself the illusion of warmth. Stay warm, everyone.

Works on Paper

Mini-works on paper - mixed media image transfers with wax, pigment, and oil pastel

"Red Barn"

"Lake Shore Drive"

"City Lights 2"

"Storm Field"

"White Barn"

"Lakefront Trail"

"River Rocks"

These days, I always use encausticbord as a ground for my mixed media works. The board comes primed and ready to go and it is sturdy, made specifically for working with wax. I have a mini works on paper show that I would like to submit to but I had to switch back to using 140 lb. watercolor paper as a ground. I have painted most of these landscapes before, but working on paper gives slightly different results. The practice of repeating the same subject allows me to get to know details even better, altering shape, light and color.  I think about how many haystacks Monet must have painted… and then I know repetition is a good thing.

I can only submit 3 pieces and I am not sure if I should use the city scenes or keep all 3 submissions as a cohesive body of landscapes. Any suggestions?

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In the past seven months, I have been enjoying city life and reconnecting with old friends. When I was living on the east coast, my primary focus was on my family and the art world, now that I am back in the midwest I have time to renew friendships. Tonight I have been invited to go hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, something I haven't done in over 30 years. I am always inspired by classical music plus I get to spend time with my friend. Then tomorrow, I am going to spend the day at a spiritual retreat with another old friend. She is a yogi and she offered me an invitation to attend a Day of Mindfulness at Touching Earth.

I am so fortunate and feel blessed to have an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make them new again.

Mantra

Meditation inspired my new work below. Years ago, a friend of mine taught me about Buddhism, non- attachment, and letting go (although I often forget to practice).

I used the seven chakras as a guide for color and purposely kept the mantra hidden below the surface. My hope is for this painting to be a reminder to simply breathe each day and try to remain unattached.

I also put new work in my Etsy shop … with a full day of painting planned for tomorrow.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/rsamiljan?ref=em&view_type=list

Landscape Revisited

Since moving to Chicago, my inspiration has slowly shifted from landscape to cityscape… but not really. I decided to revisit some of my favorite places in both New England and Chicago, places that have inspired my love for the natural world. I also want to focus on working larger now, below is my most recent work.

"Autumn at North Pond"

16" x 20"

mixed media

Capturing the autumn color palette was my primary inspiration, I also wanted to create three-dimensional details using wax and pigment to highlight the dangling branches and feathering grasses in the foreground.

In addition, I continue to paint small works (3.5 x 2.5) mounted and displayed in shadowbox frames, (I continue to sell these small wonders in both Boston and Chicago), each work is an intimate vignette from places I have been that are special to me.

"Blue Sky"

"River Rocks"

"Summer Shade"

New England will always rest in my mind as the epitome of gorgeous mountainous countryside, rolling meadows, hidden brooks, and rocky shores.

However, my fascination with the dark of night and city lights continues.

"City Lights"

1st work of 2014

"Alone in the Snow"

5" x 7" mixed media on panel

Despite many distractions, I did have time to setup and work small today with more to come later in the week.

Gallery Openings

Between the holidays and the crazy weather, I am just now starting the new year with a schedule to paint new work and submit to several big shows. I have not sat down and gotten creative since before the holidays, but tomorrow should be the day that changes.

Today was the opening for the winter shows in both Chicago (at Chicago Art Source Gallery) and Boston (Copley Society of Art). I received word this morning that all three of my small works sold in Boston before the show officially opened! I also have posted several photos from Chicago Art Source of my work, installed in two separate locations. I believe I am the only representational painter in the show. (I will stop by the gallery this week and take my own photos, the photos below were provided by the gallery manager).

I took the photo below a week ago and plan on transferring it into wax tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have unexpected interruptions.