Influences, good and bad

Please let the election arrive already and finally put an end to all of the political unrest, ridiculous commercials, and horrible economic news. It's definitely taken a toll on my creative juices. Facebook posts have me cringing and it feels like people have lost all respect to personal choices and privacy. It also feels like there are less bloggers posting less frequently (myself included). This election can't end soon enough.

Fortunately, I have another encaustic workshop planned for this Sunday. Last week I had fun demonstrating a texture technique by building up layers of wax in a more abstract way.

I also used a leaf to create imprints, added inlay details, then scraped away to smooth the surface. 

There were only 4 people in the workshop which allowed for everyone to get plenty of individualized help. It should be the same group this Sunday. 

The gallery and I are discussing the possibility of me teaching another workshop in January. Hopefully by then there will be less negative economic and political energy.

Local Press

"Great Dividing Range", 14 x 11 encaustic painting

Yesterday I was able to complete my demo painting from last Sunday's opening reception. I am looking forward to teaching the encaustic workshop this weekend and received wonderful press in the local papers.

One of the things I will miss most of all after I have relocated in Chicago next summer will be all of the publicity contacts and reporters I have met over the years. Last week I was interviewed and the online article was posted yesterday, the paper copy will be available tomorrow.

Online article -
All of her Beeswax 
Same article reformatted (without the advertisements)            

* Just received my paper copy and was pleasantly surprised that more of my work was pictured with the paper version of the article.

Shows and Demos

It's been a busy month so far, starting with the Paradise City Fine Arts show over Columbus Day weekend. This was my last Paradise City show because I will be moving to Chicago next year. 

The 3 day shows are exhausting and the day after coming home I had to begin setup for the next event... Yesterday was my solo show opening at Brush Strokes Gallery, a new local venue that has also invited me to teach encaustic workshops. 

The building once was a daycare center and Jon Corbino, the building owner, decided to convert the space into artist studios with a large, main gallery on the upper level.

Brush Strokes mission statement: "Our mission is to create meaningful connections between artists, collectors, curators and visitors. By establishing an environment that is open and unintimidating, we hope to enable reflection, to encourage passion and to provide a forum for the exploration of all media: painting, photography, sculpture, installation, video and more.  Our roster includes artists both emerging and established. What unifies them is our belief in their material and conceptual vision."

I have never had the opportunity to exhibit so many pieces of my work in such a large exhibit space and admit it was both exhilarating and challenging to make everything flow together. Both watercolor and encaustic paintings are on display, all of the work is inspired by the land and earth. 

I decided to hang awards I have received next to the corresponding pieces as visual endorsements of my work.

This show is my first introduction of the Outback Series, an abstract interpretation of Australian lands. The gallery offers wood display panels on wheels which allow for the room to change with the artist's needs. It was the perfect space to separate the representational landscapes from these new abstracts.

An hour into the reception, I demonstrated several encaustic techniques. I had prepared an 11 x 14 panel with many layers of wax that were then scraped, molded and reformed. I demonstrated inlay techniques, image transfers and oil pastel etched into wax medium. The interest and energy in the room was fantastic.

The first encaustic workshop starts this Sunday and hopefully I will have time to complete the demo piece started yesterday before the workshop, pictured below.

Embracing Encaustic

I received word this week that I will be one of the artists featured in the 3rd edition of "Embracing Encaustic: Learning to Paint with Beeswax" by Linda Womack due to be released before the end of 2012. I am thrilled to be included with this group of fine encaustic artists.

http://www.lindawomack.com/books/purchase.html

We were required to submit up to 4 jpg's along with a brief explanation of our process. Below are my submissions. In the next few weeks I will find out which image was chosen for the book.

Brief description of my process:

I use photos I have taken and transfer the images by fusing them into wax medium. I then paint additional details using small brushes, pigmented layers of wax, and sculpting tools to create a greater sense of depth.

Once I received the news that I was going to be included in the book, my confidence was up and I decided to submit to the Cambridge Art Association upcoming BLUE show. Below are the pieces I submitted, (the middle image is watercolor, the others are encaustic).

I also applied to SOLO Competition at the Bromfield Gallery. The work I submitted was from my topography series. 

My encaustic body of work has been transitioning from representational into abstract, always pulling inspiration from my love of the land and earth. Having my encaustic image transfers chosen to be featured in "Embracing Encaustic" validates the process I have been developing for the past 3 years. The inner critic is now anxiously awaiting for either acceptance or rejection of my new abstracts. I will share the outcome here once I receive notifications.

The other side of my art business is exhibiting (and selling) starting this weekend at the Paradise City show in Northampton, MA.  Today I load up, tomorrow setup, and Saturday through Monday I will be  exhibiting. The following weekend my solo show at Brush Strokes Gallery opens followed by teaching beginner encaustic workshops. This is a busy time of year for me and I am embracing all of these encaustic opportunities.