Work in progress

I finally got some free time so I'm working on new encaustics pieces.

I want to start working on multiple pieces at the same time. Many art teachers have told me to do that but it's usually a problem finding space for that in my small room. But with these tiny pieces I should be able to fit it all in.

be happy wild free - encaustic

"Grow" - encaustic experiment

This is a little tiny piece - just playing around and trying out new techniques.

I used some woodcutting and sewing tools on this. It's great to be able use old tools in new ways.

"Happy" - encaustic art

 This piece is inspired by summer. I'm very happy it's summertime!

For this piece I really worked on layering and building up the imagery and wax. I did it in three different sessions so I could take more time with my ideas and technique. I've learned that it helps me to stop the process for a while and start fresh later. Even though that means turning everything off and letting the wax cool down, I think it helps. It gives me time to plan more and not get swept up in the "heat" of the moment with the hot wax.

Encaustics - Grow and Bloom

I tried a few different engraving techniques on this. I also tried "erasing" parts I didn't like. That is an important skill to learn that they don't teach you in the classes. You can scrape away the bad part and refill it with fresh wax. The hard part is getting it to blend in and look unified with the rest of the piece.

Blue, Never Cry - Encaustic

 

This was a stream-of-conciousness type of exercise where I choose words and images that spoke to me, without thinking much about them. I wouldn't have created this if I was planning it out, but now that it's done it does make sense to me. 

(I just discovered these tiny-size encaustic boards - 2.5 x 3.5 inches. It's nice to make really small art like this! You can just play without worrying about messing up a big board. It feels very free.)

Long Journey, Sail On - Encaustic

I know it's the journey, not the destination-- but don't you feel sometimes that the journey to a goal takes way longer than you thought it would?

This piece is meant to be encouragement along the way...SAIL ON!

For this image, I wanted to go back to painting with colored wax. It's a great way to add bright color fast!  Also included: paper, fabric, inlay, and pastels.

detail from image

Treasure. - encaustic

This piece is a reminder to treasure the little things in life (flowers, stars, the mystery of it all.)

I discovered a few new techniques in this piece. That's what so great about encaustics - there's so much to experiment with!

Black (the darkest color) House - encaustic

This piece is truly mixed-media. I think I used every item in my art supply drawer. My art teacher told me that I need to focus on "editing" but I guess I'm not ready to do that yet.

This started simple, but I couldn't help adding more. I like cluttered images. Most of my favorite artists make busy images. I like the stuffed-full, almost-overflowing feeling of them. But I also know I need to follow my teacher's advice. Next time, for sure.

detail from image

"Play, Play, Play" - Encaustic experiment

Lesson learned from this piece: While encaustic art looks like it should be a flowing, spontaneous process, it actually takes a lot of planning and order. It is a lot like printmaking with how you have to plan out all your layers. Hopefully I can do that better on my next piece.

Another lesson learned: When a fire extinguisher falls on your bare foot, it really hurts!!

detail from image

"Happy Little Home" - Encaustic

I can't believe I did another encaustic piece! I used to think I needed two free hours to make it worth setting up, melting the wax, etc. So I rarely did encaustics because I practically never have two free hours!

But now I squeeze it in even if I only have a free half-hour. I turn on the griddle and fan, open the windows and go for it. It's helping me get a lot more done!

(With this I wanted to see if I could make a night scene but still make it bright and cheery. Not sure it worked...)

detail from image

Encaustic experiment - Strolling Girl

By an amazing and shocking twist of fate I actually had a few free hours with no one home and nothing I had to do. So I decided to play around with encaustics and experiment and try out new things. 

I remembered that Daniella Woolf, in her great book The Encaustic Studio, says "You can always break the rules (we know you want to-- you're an artist!)..." So I did decide to break some rules and it was really FUN!

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I also am inspired in rule-breaking by this awesome video by Lori Field. I think her encaustics are amazing and I LOVE how she just pours hot wax all over the floor (in her socks!) and makes such a mess while creating such beautiful art. Total inspiration for messy souls, like myself.

"Home Sweet Home" - Encaustic

This has definitely become a theme for me-- creating little worlds that I wish our world was more like. Of course, I love our world, but I do think it could use a little less war and crime, more rainbows and bunnies.

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"Our Sweet World" - Encaustic

This is the first chance I've had to do encaustics since the workshop I took in September. I really noticed a difference in my control of the wax. The workshop really helped! It was taught at Wax Works West by Lisa Kairos.

I think I learned most just by watching the calm, methodical way Lisa worked. I used to feel like I had to rush with encaustics, because the wax was melting, the torch was hot, etc. I would get kind of frenzied and hurried. But Lisa was so calm and orderly, it was like she was kneading bread dough. There was no urgency or pressure. She was in total control.

Seeing her process really changed the whole way I approached encaustics today. That is a sign of a great workshop!

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Encaustic workshop

I took an encaustic workshop over the weekend that was really, really FUN! I mainly experimented with drawing in the wax. I loved how it was kind of like etching, but without all the dangerous acid and expensive metal.

"Our Home" - Encaustic day!

After doing the super-meticulous playground image, I really wanted to loosen up. And the best way for me to do that is with encaustics, because it is such an out-of-control process for me. The wax melts and does whatever it wants and I don't know how to direct it.

(I am signed up to take a class in September that I think will help me learn how to have more control over the medium. Until then, it's all luck, frustration and magic how things turn out...)

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A Wild Meadow in Summer

 We often think of "wild" as meaning crazy and out-of-control, but I prefer the definition "living in a state of nature" which actually can be calm, peaceful, and beautiful.

detail from image

(This is an encaustic piece- which means I had to keep many teeny, tiny pieces from floating around in the melting wax.)

home

In this piece I tried to capture a lot of things that I love: trees, birds, rocks, flowers, the moon, and the feeling of HOME.

Life in Bloom

Start with a simple collage...

 Add wax paints...

Another encaustic experiment. 

I really do like control in my art, so this has been challenging for me-- to let go and let things get messy and "ruined."

My usual collage technique is very meticulous and planned out, so this is really mixing things up for me. 

Flower Forest

This encaustic experiment had many exciting moments, like smoking-collage-elements and the board catching on fire...all while trying to create a peaceful-looking scene.