Postcards from the Cape

"Storm Approaching"

"Cape Cod Light"

"Dunes"

Each of these paintings is post card size, 4" x 6", mixed media encaustic on 300 lb. watercolor paper. I will be donating these to the post card show at the International Encaustic Conference that I am attending the first week of June. The conference is in Provincetown, MA and fortunately I have been there; I had specific references for each painting.

The conference is an incredible opportunity to learn about art from the best and most knowledgable artists I know, it is also a wonderful networking opportunity. I hope even though my paintings are representational landscapes, the work won't look out of place with all of the amazing abstract artists that will be attending.

International Encaustic Conference Info

I have been planning out my studio time and events carefully these days as I have a part time job. I started working at Bloomingdales as a bridal registry consultant and even though its part time, it forces me to organize my art making and commitments more than I am used to doing. I think it will get easier but for now it's a challenge.

My last bit of news, I was accepted into the 3rd of three art festivals I submitted work to, and I am probably going to participate in all of them ... that will allow me exhibition opportunities in May, June and early August. Fingers crossed that the weather will be on my side, but with global warming and such it's a bit of a concern.

Summer Sky (more of Chicago)

"Summer Sky, Chicago"

20" x 16" watercolor and wax on 140 lb. paper

The painting started with this older watercolor -

Using an abstract painting from years ago, I once again decided to create an identifiable cityscape by painting in new watercolor details combined with layers of wax. This piece is all about the texture representing the concrete of Lake Shore Drive, heading South into the city (Diversey Harbor on the right). The perspective is enhanced by using textured wax on the drive against the smoothness of the skyscrapers, the largest being the Hancock Building center left, with Sears Tower in the background to the right. 

I am thinking about starting a large diptych (36" x 72") on encausticbord, continuing with cityscapes, skyscrapers and identifiable landmark buildings here in Chicago.

Other news to share -

I received notification that all 3 of my mini works on paper will be included in the 35th annual Mini-Works on Paper exhibit at Jacksonville State University, AL. Last year I won first prize and sold one of my pieces, this year I hope I am half as lucky!

The accepted works are all 2.5" x 3.5"; these small works have become my "bread and butter" of art sales, retailing for $150 once mounted and framed. The work for the show is required to be matted in white or off white, no frames allowed.

Chicago

"Chicago"

mixed media - watercolor and wax on 140 lb. paper

30" x 22"

For a while I have wanted to re-work several older watercolor paintings by incorporating wax medium and pigments, adding new dimensionality and details. Until now I have not combined wax with watercolor and I can tell there will be lots of experimenting to come. 

Original watercolor painting 

The original painting was inspired by the view I had of Boston from my coastal home although I painted the city as generic with no identifiable Boston landmarks.

View of Chicago seen driving in from I-90

 The architecture in Chicago has been keeping me creative and I decided to use one of my photos as a reference allowing me to add details to the existing painting.

The wax added was minimal and it is easier to see on an angle with the light reflecting. I will have to raise the matt to prevent the wax from touching the glass once I frame this, it should be interesting although I know what needs to be done.

"Eventually, I think Chicago will be
the most beautiful great city
left in the world."

- Frank Lloyd Wright

Food

The creative process is equally as important to me in the kitchen as it is in the art studio. Last night I gave a small dinner party with the help of my partner and together we put together a delicious combination of our favorite foods.

We didn't photograph everything but some of the highlights are shown below. Terry was in charge of appetizers and he made prosciutto wrapped around melon, too delicious to do justice with a photo. He also created the beautiful bruschetta. 

Bruschetta with tomato and basil

(cheese platter in the background)

Our main course was Caesar salad, poached salmon with a cucumber dill sauce, Pici pasta (discovered when we visited Tuscany), sautéed asparagus, and Italian bread with dipping oil.

Poached Salmon with cucumber, radishes, lemon, and dill

Pici pasta with olive oil, basil, parsley, and parmesan cheese

Pici is a thick, hand-rolled pasta, like a fat spaghetti. It originates in the province of Siena in Tuscany; in the Montalcino area.

I have to admit I got carried away with desserts - red velvet cake, lemon cookies, fresh fruit platter, and vanilla ice cream topped with mixed berries.

Bon Appetit!

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.