Art and People

It's difficult to understand art until you look at it's historical context. Even then, not having lived in that time and place puts you at a disadvantage for complete understanding. People are the same. We can never truly know another human being, their historical context, their struggles, their unique mix of brain chemicals. However, just like with art, it's important to try to understand before before judging and casting votes.

Encaustic Parties

I've been hosting encaustic painting parties lately because I love, love, love introducing people to this unusual, enchanting, unruly medium. It's so great to see both creative types and non creative types really dive into encaustic painting with utter abandon. It's rebellious nature helps people learn how to relax and let the piece speak to them, it helps them experiment and have fun. 8 ladies, including me, have created 19 pieces in less than a week! I'm so proud of them. Below is one of my demo pieces from the first party. 

"It's a tidal thing, you wouldn't understand." / encaustic, shells, and oil pastel on wood.

Grid grid grid

Love grids, lines, mixed media. Here's a piece of a newish piece I've been working on forevs. I hope to finish it soon. I rarely love my own work but this one is an exception, so far. 

Color challenge

I like blues and greens. I like them a lot. They are my comfort colors, and the colors I choose to surround myself with. So naturally I paint with these colors all the time. Knowing I needed to stretch a little I decided to ask my friend Jen to come up with 5 colors for me to paint with that have nothing to do with my current color obsessions. Her choices were these: maroon ( probably my least favorite color ever,) gold, brown, hot pink, and lime green. Interesting choices, this was going to be an actual challenge because that color scheme is nothing that I'd ever willingly pick, but she knew I was trying to stretch so she obliged. I thought about this palette for a day but found no inspiration, so I decided I just needed to jump in. The painting is still in progress, but I wanted to share those in progress incarnations here because the interplay of colors continue to surprise me every time I approach the canvas. Note: the white looking spots are actually tears in the canvas... I just went with it.

Encaustic Portaits

I am starting a series of very quickly drawn, stylized portraits on wood panels in encaustic based mixed media. I've done some drawings in black marker and this is the first translation of one of them into color.

"Rowan" - encaustic paint, pencil, oil pastel on wood panel, 12"x12"

Some door birches

I repurposed some thick piece of canvas that used to say "Welcome!" I found at a thrift store. It wanted to be this door hanging of birches instead. 

 

Small Act of Courage

Posting the art I make is difficult. I’m not a boastful person. I don’t relate to people that are. I don’t care about accolades or fame. I feel REALLY weird doing it but there is that part of me that feels it’s necessary for it to be put out there, for it to be seen, because it’s a part of its purpose. I know making art is not saving the world, but I do think it contributes to the beauty of the world we share, and for me, my sanity. Posting it feels cathartic. I don’t care if anyone wants to buy it or comments on it, it’s a small act of courage for me, that is all.