Experiments with Encaustic

Last year I took a workshop with Elise Wagner at A6 in Bend, Oregon. Previously I had taken a workshop from Shawna Moore. Both artists are very proficient with their medium but have different approaches. I learned a very textural technique from Elise that I wanted to try out in my home studio. Here are the finished results. They were fun to create and I like the look of encaustics very much but I couldn't wait to get back to my acrylics. I don't have the room in my studio or the proper ventilation to continue with encaustic painting. I will just have to enjoy the encaustic creations of other artists. Three artists who do wonderful things with encaustic are in my artists group. Take a look at their work at htt://www.altgroupart.com and see my acrylic paintings while you are at it.

A Great Tradition for Artist Friends

For the past nine years I have hosted a party for my women friends who are artists and every year each artist brings a small original artwork that they have created. The work arrives wrapped as a holiday gift and we play the exchange game using two rounds of numbers. The "stealing" gets pretty wild as each artist tries to acquire the piece that they love and want to take home. No one is ever disappointed, however, because all the work is professional and well done. Every January I frame the piece that I received at the party and hang it in my hallway along with other small works that I have acquired over the years through trade or purchase. It is a lovely sampling of all my favorite artists. The party is great for networking and meeting new artists as well. We have a potluck luncheon first and then everyone introduces themselves and talks briefly about where they are in their process or what their goals for the coming year are for their art. After we eat we play the game. Sometimes martinis and wine are enjoyed making the game even more fun.

Artists Holiday Party

International Society of Acrylic Painters

I entered "Fissure", the painting two below in the online juried exhibition of the International Society of Acrylic Painters. A few weeks ago I learned that I was accepted into the show and then on Nov. 1st when the show went online I found out that I was among a number of winners. I haven't entered many shows in my art career. It always seemed like an expense to me with fees and shipping costs or travel. Sending a digital image was easy and since the show is online it will get a great deal of exposure. If you go to the site, click on exhibitions and then 2nd online to find the show.

Successful Opening Last Night

Last Monotype for now

This will be my last monotype posting for now. I'm back to my studio and painting. Getting ready for a show at Franklin Crossing in September with ALT Group. See our new web site at altgroupart.com
To some folks my work may seem like it is all over the place - landscapes then non objective work but I see the thread and connection between it all. All of my work is gestural and filled with interesting linear pattern sometime done deliberately and sometimes through random drips of paint. I work quickly and spontaneously allowing " happy accidents" to guide my process. I like to let paint color mix on the surface as I paint and I take advantage of layering. as well as wiping back or scraping.

Another monotype

More Monotypes

Printmaking for Painters

Here is another monotype print. This piece was created by over printing layers of color and strokes. If you are a painter and have never tried monotype, I highly recommend it. I think it is a great way to work out ideas that may be applied to your paintings.

I'm Loving Monotype

I haven't blogged in a while. Summer is such a busy time but I have been working on new art. I took a three month membership at Atelier 6000 in Bend and have been creating monotype prints - non objective and landscapes. I love the spontaneity of monotype. Painting on the plexiglass plate seems so forgiving. I can wipe back, scrape, and layer color and strokes before running it through the press to make the print. I've experimented with over printing up to six times on some prints. The Akua soy inks are a great consistency and easy to work with and I like how they seem to melt into the Rives BFK paper.

Homage to Diebenkorn

I had a friend walk in to my studio while this painting was on my easel. His comment was " Oh, your homage to Diebenkorn". I took his comment as a gift. Diebenkorn was a master of composition. I've always liked his work. Once I saw a show of his black and white drawings and was mesmerized by them. I wasn't trying to paint like Diebenkorn but years of observing his work as well as the Abstract Expressionists has had an influence on my style.

Layers of Acrylic Create Veils

Finally Back in the Studio

I've been teaching. I took over for the High School Art Teacher while he went to NYC with a student who was receiving an award for his artwork. So I haven't been painting. I've dabbled but nothing has been completed since May. Here is a piece I just finished and took to Tumalo Art Co. Gallery in Bend. They just moved to the Old Mill. They've already gotten more foot traffic than in their former location on any day. Location ! Location ! Location !

I hung a show of 5 of my abstract landscapes at North Rim Lodge in Bend yesterday. They look great in the space. The lodge is beautiful with lots of fine wood, stone fireplace, rock and slate features. Today I planted vegetables in my garden - tomatoes, zuccini, squash, lettuce, cucumber, and watermelon. 

I've been following Cathy Woo's work for a few years. I especially like her tangles series. In fact, I used her idea in my teaching. I took close up photographs of branches, leaves, pine needles, bark, etc. and had students create abstract paintings inspired from the photograph they had.

Cathy Woo Fine Art Blog: Show Announcement - Center on Contemporary Art

Cathy Woo Fine Art Blog: Show Announcement - Center on Contemporary Art

My garden is starting to look good. I've planted most of my annual flower pots and the perennials and bushes are happily growing. I'll be planting tomato plants and vegetables next.

Here is another painting in the series.  Yesterdays was called Emergence.  This one is called Awakening.

I've been working on paintings for a show I'm having with  ALTGroupArt.com  This is one in a series where I am incorporating drips and other paint techniques into my composition.

My Daily Paper and Paint