Encaustic Painting with Shellac, Half Time, and Helio

Helio

Encaustic Mixed Media on birch 8x6

I've realized that it appears I've gone quiet.  I'm so busy painting as much as I can these days, that yes, in a way I have gone quiet.  My time where I have my studio is cut in half and then that time is cut in half again... so it means, that when I can paint - I hunker down and paint as much as possible.  But, even with shorter studio time, I have incorporated some very interesting new techniques that take some consideration and practice to find my way.  I'm finally beginning to show a little of what I am doing with encaustic painting, shellac and alcohol inks. 
I spent an incredible day in the studio of Alicia Tormey here in Seattle.  She is amazing and her techniques for shellac and alcohol ink with encaustic painting are incredible. I'm still digesting everything shellac that I learned from her late in February. 
I have committed to doing a solo show for the month of September.  I'm already painting for it and squirreling away a lot of surprises for it.  But, I am letting a few things out.. just to create some interest.
Happy Friday Everyone!

Encaustic Painting, Rust Paper, Local Birds and Freya

Freya
encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

I finally used some of that rust paper that I have been accidently hording.  I have a set of drawers that I keep fancy papers and stuff in.  I was digging through for some inspiration and came across this paper.  I had totally forgotten about it - its been over a year ago that I made it.  Isn't it fun to come across a hidden treasure?

I've done another big push on the bird paintings.  Christmas is coming fast and it seems that these little ones are flying off to new destinations as quickly as I can paint them.  Its keeping my busy in the studio.

Freya here is a common yellow throat warbler.  I've seen her at the Union Bay natural area near the University of Washington.  Its my favorite place to find birdie subjects.  Without really meaning to, I'm sort of becoming a bit of a bird watcher.  I'm wanting to keep my bird paintings to the local characters.  However, in my yard the selection is pretty slim with my dear cat, Ming to blame for his ever presence in the yard.  Luckily he is a bit chubby, so actually catching a bird is not his forte.  But, he does manage to keep them away by just being present.  So, I rely on my friends with lovely bird feeders, and my afternoon walks to provide my inspiration.

Happy Friday and Happy Halloween!

Encaustic Painting, Practicing for Something Bigger and Blue Flight

Blue Flight
encaustic mixed media on birch 10x10

I'm practicing for something bigger.  I wanted to see what it would be like to carve in feather detail in and encaustic painting.  I keep thinking of a painting of a really large feathered something in the future.  I've always hesitated to paint a big bird painting for a couple of reasons - the first is the wonder if a really large bird painting is a bit scary, meaning is it creepy to have a really big bird hanging on your wall?  And secondly, painting small means I can cheat a bit on detail, but on a large painting I'd have to step up and really get the detail right - no fudging.  So maybe the answer is like Blue Flight here, where there is no actual bird, but just a feathered something.  Each of these feathers is carved in with an exacto knife which in itself is very meditative.  And, I'm finding that I really love French Café Radio on Pandora.  Its really nice background music and I learned of it from a good friend and her lovely French dinner that she made for a small group of friends.  It played in the background as we dined on marvelous food and visited over candlelight.  Now as it plays in the background in my studio,  I can dream of going to Paris again whilst carving bird feathers.  Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

I'm also wondering about putting words into paintings.  For me there is a fine line between looking good and being a bit kitschy.  I like the idea, but pulling it off I think is difficult.  Maybe its the choice of words? 

Au revoir all, back to work - and happy Friday! 

Encaustic Painting, Chickadees and CeCe

CeCe
encaustic 6x6

I never get tired of painting chickadees.  They are one of my favorites and the ones I see the most from my window.  I truly wish that I had the same energy as one of these little ones.  They are forever active and flitting from branch to branch. Think of all the things I could get done in a day.  But, I do love to settle in the mid afternoon over a cup of coffee and a good book - taking a break from all the commotion even if just for a few minutes.

October is here, fall is starting to show her lovely colors - my favorites - the yellows, oranges and reds.  I've begun to start thinking of making soup and wearing sweaters.  Although, we are having a glorious Indian summer here in the northwest which means no sweaters yet.  

Happy Friday everyone! 

 

 

Mod, Encaustic Painting, Combining Flavors

Dogwood
encaustic mixed media on birch 16 x 19

Modular painting seems to be catching my fancy these days.  I love combining the flavors of encaustic painting, ink drawing, printing, and both abstract and representational art.  The mixed bunch tells a nice story.  These individual paintings are glued together to create one large story panel.  While I like the random size, I'm also working on some that fit together into a regular rectangle.  I am finding the mix and match aspect of working a modular painting is really fun and giving a fresh feeling to the paintings.  Problem is, now I have lots and lots of mix and match pieces on my work table - now the trick is finding the combinations that work together. 
Happy Friday everyone! 

Poetry, Summer Song and Little Birds

Marsh Wren
encaustic, oil and graphite on birch 6x6

A friend sent me this lovely poem - with a note that said "I feel like Nancy wrote this poem for every artist I know".  I totally agree -



Summer Song

 

Tonight I break the map that says don’t sell yourself

I brag and leave the humble out of it

I kick the Minnesota-raised girl to the curb

and yell, “I am fucking awesome!”

 

Sing it girl, don’t be shy.

What’s the use of pretending I’m dull?

I’ve got a loud voice, I’ll use it.

I’ll not waste another minute.

 

Translate fear into possibility

take the gnaw in my stomach

belch it out

until my core glows orange, no pain left.

 

What’s doubt and dread

except stagnation to grow

up and out of? I’ll turn tiny-ness

on its head and live large, for sure

 

I wear my brave face

I dance in the street

with pure abandon

sing with all of my notes out of tune.

 

I do karaoke with no machine

until my family laughs

the neighbors come onto their doorsteps

they cheer me on.

 

Summer is short, its nights long

and full of sweetness; I practice daring

on the cooled concrete

while the red sun sets

 

an orange globe of power

that I swallow whole

voice loud with song

my body a ray of light.

7.10.2015

  

Best,

Nancy Schatz Alton

Freelance Writer, Editor & Writing Coach

Co-author of The Healthy Back Book & The Healthy Knees Book

www.withinthewords.com

Encaustic Painting Process, Draw-Through Printing and Tissue Paper

Kiss (detail)
encaustic, paper and ink on birch

Trying old techniques in a new way again - this time a printing technique called draw-through printing.  Keeping things fresh and loose in art can sometimes be a challenge for me.  This little chickadee is a detail from a larger modular painting.  I've been revisiting some techniques I learned a while back and finding it really fun.  Thanks to the wonderful Stephanie Hargrave for being the inspiration. 

The drawings are done on tissue paper and then put into the encaustic painting.  Its a fun process and because of its nature, it keeps the drawings loose and fresh.  The first step is to get together all the things needed

1. printing ink - I used Akua, but there are other printing inks that work great like Daniel Smith printing inks. 
2. Glass palette
3. brayer
4. bamboo skewer
5. tissue paper

Step One - roll out the ink with the brayer - can't stress enough that it needs to be a thin layer. Think thin to win!

Step Two - gently place the tissue paper on top of the rolled out ink and weight the edges so it will not move when you do your drawings.

Step Three - Use the bamboo skewer, or end of a paint brush handle or even your finger nail - and draw.  Being careful not to touch the paper to hold it otherwise you will have finger prints which is ok, but just be mindful where they are.  You will see your line showing through the tissue as you draw your shapes. 

 

 

Step Four - carefully peel up the tissue from the printing plate and turn it over.  You will see your designs printed on the tissue. 

You can see in this photo the "noise" created in the print where the tissue stuck to the ink other than where the lines were drawn.  I don't mind a little bit of noise in the print.  A lot of noise creates a whole another look to the print.

Step Five - once the prints are dry - burnish the tissue into an encaustic painting and gently heat.  The white tissue will magically disappear into the wax and will leave only the printed lines showing.  Cover with a protective layer of wax and the tissue will totally blend into the artwork

 

 Noisy print on the left and only just a little noise on the right

As a side note, I did find that the tissue I was using had a shiny or hard side and a matte or soft side.  I found the hard side would stick to the ink in places that I really didn't want it to, thus, creating "noise" in the print like on the left above.  The soft side of the tissue would allow for the fine lines to show through without too much stickage (noise). I would re-brayer the inked area after every print, not necessarily adding more ink until I really needed it.  Its fun to do several when you have everything out - lots of different shapes and designs.  That way when you are ready to put the drawings into your artwork, there are lots of choices to layer and have fun with.  I'm also assuming it would work with a gel medium on an art journal page or other artwork than encaustic. 
Good luck and have fun.  Happy Friday everyone!

Unexpected Visitor, Chirping and Sparrow

Sparrow
encaustic on birch 6x6

Today I had the most amazing visitor - a little sparrow was hopping around in my living room.  I was in the kitchen and heard a chirping sound.  I came around the corner to find a sweet little sparrow hopping about.  She was chirping away and happy as could be and didn't seem to have a care in the world.  I opened the patio door to help her to find her way back outside.  She was in no hurry to leave and hopped under chairs and around and under the tables.  She never took flight, just hopped and sang.  I followed around and gently talked to her encouraging her to see the open door and her freedom.   She eventually made her way to the door and flew back to her life outside.  So sweet. 
Happy Friday everyone!

Spring, Bird Song, and Junco

Junco
original encaustic on birch 6x8

Spring is my most favorite time of the year.  Its a time of awakening and growth and it is in crazy full force around here.  With spring comes open doors and open windows.  I've been awakened every morning lately by the neighborhood bird song.  Its the nicest way to be brought from slumber into the day.  Not better than a steaming cup of coffee mind you - but better than an alarm clock for sure.  The little Juncos are some of my favorite spring time characters.   
Also with spring comes the annual de-clutter, clean up and filling the yard waste bin to overflowing a few times over.  It feels so good to be outside and taking in the fresh smells and sounds.  To kick of spring, I've been doing a weekly inspiration series on Tuesdays - you can catch up on the latest one here. 
In keeping with the idea of new growth in spring, I have signed up to take an online art class taught by Diane Culhane - "Doings of a Do-o-dle".  No one doodles like Diane, so I am really looking forward to it.  You can get more info and sign up here.
Happy Friday - Happy Spring. 

Encaustic Painting and Art, Beating the Saboteur, and Sparrow Song

Sparrow Song
encaustic on birch 6x6

There's so much going on it makes my head spin.  Yet, I know there is peace found in art and dropping into the zone of creativity.  The problem is carving out the time in between all the other things that make up the wonderful froth of life. 

The "do" list is long, yet slowly the items are scratched off even though there is no end to that list.   Today my day was eaten up entirely with errands and flat tires, and returns, drop offs and pick ups - the bank, the grocery store, the dry cleaners - its endless. I decided to write off today as a "get it done" day so tomorrow is  mine or at least partially mine.  Sometimes I find it hard to get past the "do" list and on to my own time - yet there is that nagging voice inside that says - get it done so tomorrow is free.  Yet, tomorrow never seems to be free.  Its that nasty self saboteur at work again. That is the part of us that keeps us from spending our time as we really need to be doing rather than what we probably should be doing. There is always the "do" list of life, it will always be so.  Excuses, excuses - is there really anything that is so important to keep us from pursuing our creative outlet - the thing that keeps us balanced and at our best?  Yes, in some cases - but for the most part... NO, these things are just distractions that can be managed in a way that allows us our own time also.  Its time to tell Father Time to take a break and the Saboteur to take a hike and let's get on with what we really need "to do" - our art, our dreams, our purpose.  Carve time, make time and make your art.
Happy Friday everyone!

I'm sharing studio happenings and inspirations on Tuesdays - if you missed this week, you can see it here.

Watcher, Summer and More to Come

Watcher
Encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

Been painting some, but not enough.  Seems like summer is getting in the way - but I really don't mind.  There are many studio days coming my way as the season winds down. 
I just uploaded a bunch of new works into my gallery.  I hope you go have a browse. 

And just for fun - for those of you who are interested - Flora Bowley is offering Bloom True Boot Camp for the month of September - Here
 

A Word for the Year, Resolutions and Zoom

Zoom
encaustic 6x8

Its a new start to a new year.  Every year I renew my list of resolutions and every year I start off with a flurry.  I organize, I exercise, I drink less and I eat better.  I try to keep the house tidy, I try to manage my time, and I try to make Mondays meatless.  And, every year I pick a word to be my North star for the year.  Last year was a really good word and its been hard for me to come up with a new one.  I almost took the route of just using the same word again.  But, that seemed totally lame and frankly a bit lazy.  So, I decided to make up my own rules for the word game.  Yes, I have a new word for 2014 - but I've decided I will still lean on last year's word when needed.  My word for 2014 is:

FORWARD

 

I actually thought long and hard I had a toss up between forward and flow - but in the end - forward is the winner.  Seems I feel I need to keep momentum going into this year.  Some big things are on the agenda in the spring - and forward is the name of the game.   For 2014, forward just isn't a direction. My definition also includes no excuses and no upper limit problems.  It also includes being bold in my actions, artwork and well.. life.  With that said - forward I go. 

Wishing you all a very happy Friday and a wonderful weekend. 

 

If you are a word picker - I'd love to hear your word for 2014

M.x

 



Fire, Glassblowing and Handsome

My creations from the glass blowing workshop.

I have a fascination with the element of fire.  Its power can bring devastation and it can also bring beauty.  Its strength can be harnessed and beautiful things can be made.
I went glass blowing.  Its something that I have always wanted to do.  I was a little apprehensive about going only because I was afraid that I would love it so and want to pursue it more.  I tend to be a bit fickle and easily wooed away in new directions. 
I loved the hot kilns and the globs of molten glass.  I loved the blowing and turning and twirling.  I loved the idea that while it could be shaped and somewhat controlled - in actuality, it has a total random quality about it too.  It was surprisingly malleable, but not.  I loved the mystery of what the color would really look like when it was cool.  
While I did love many aspects of the glass and found it so interesting, it didn't enamor me in such a way that I would give up my current creative love for it.   So, I'm painting on - with fire :)

Handsome
encaustic on birch 10 x 10

Nature Inspires, Cuteness and Chickadees

Sweetie
encaustic and oil on birch 6 x 6

 

 And

Mr.
encaustic and oil on birch 6 x 6

I have this sweet little chickadee couple that are flitting around my house - Sweetie and Mr.   Chickadees are one of my favorite birds that come in the spring.  They are such happy little things.  They come and sit on the railing of my deck in the morning to catch the early sun. They are so incredibly cute. They chirp and fly from here to there in a flash. They don't stay too long in one place - back and forth in a flurry, seldom resting always moving.  Yet, there is a time they stop.  Its when the sun comes up over the hill and shines its first light onto our deck and into the windows.  Its then, at that point - they take a break.  They sit for just a little longer, taking in the sunrise.  They fluff up their feathers and rest.   We'll watch the sun come up, they together, their sweet little birdie cuteness on the railing and me with my coffee at the kitchen window.  I think its my favorite time of the day too.   
They have a nest they are building.  I can see where it is from my window. So intent on making it right - back and forth, in and out, here and there. They make me smile this cute little couple.

 

Taken from my window

Happy Friday to my PPF friends.  Thank you for your support and kind comments.  Can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me :)

Confidence, Cures for Being an Amature, and Paint it Like You Mean It

Flight
encaustic on birch 6x6

I was cruising around youtube the other day and I came across this guy.  I liked what he had to say - so I am sharing it here.

I know that I get a wee tentative when I paint.  I'm always questioning myself if this is right, or that is the right shape or color - or whatever.   I'm hesitant about brush strokes.  I don't use enough paint.  In doing that I have a lot of rework, because I don't believe in my decisions, and many of my paintings look kinda wishy-washy.  These are not the ones you see here.  They are the ones that get scraped back and end up in my recycled wax box. :)  I'm not this way in my real life, so why am I this way when I paint?  Not sure, but I know its time turn the corner and to walk the walk. 

In painting - lets just put it this way and cut to the chase - paint it like you mean it - really.  Be decisive, be confident.   In the end, its art. Its your interpretation.  Its how you see it.  Paint on!  Happy Friday everyone!

Orange on Monday, Books and the Red Breasted Nuthatch

the Nuthatch
detail from a larger painting
The Reader

Sometimes things have a funny way of coming together.   I've been wanting a reference book on birds.  I've been thinking on it pretty hard, actually.  But, for whatever reason, I haven't had time to stop at Barnes and Nobel to look there for what I was thinking I was wanting. 
On the way home last week, I did stop... finally.  But not at B&N.  I made a stop at a Goodwill store that I pass by regularly.  No reason, to stop there - other than to look through their books.  There it was - Book of North American Birds.  A beautiful book that had been passed on - unused. 
There were some other books that I couldn't pass up.  One is a first edition, signed by the author 1918.  Another is a home handyman guide that has pressed flowers between the pages.  The last, another that had news clippings tucked into the pages - all dated from the 50's.  Then to top it off... I received a $2 bill in change.  So, proof in the pudding - yes... thoughts become things.

 

This sweet little birdie is a red breasted nuthatch.  I don't see them where I live.  Yet, he just had to be part of this larger painting that you can see here.  His sweet little belly is orange even though he is called red breasted.  Orange is my favorite color and favorite color is also the color prompt at Fearless and Fly.  I actually believe its the happiest color going.  How can one not smile, while thinking of orange?  Oranges, orange popcicles, orange sunrises and sunsets.  See what I mean?

Today I am also linking in with Mandarin Orange Monday.  Thanks to Lori at LoriKart for hosting.  You can see what others are up to on this Monday, by hitting the button below.

Giving Thanks, Encaustic Portrait, The Reader

The Reader
encaustic on birch 18x24
 

 

Its Thanksgiving in the US.  Yesterday, actually.  It is the day that families gather, a large meal is shared and for one day we all give thanks for the wonderful things that have gone throughout the year.  Today, thank you to those of you who provide great inspiration in your artwork every Friday.  Thank you also, for your kind comments that help fuel the fire in us all and keep us going creatively.  Its been a good year.

 

I thought it would be fun to show you the process of creating the painting above.  She is the painting that I talked about in this post - she is the "another version" of the portrait there.  Needless to say she is dramatically different then her beginnings. 

 

She started like a Picasso on a panel made with Flora Bowley's style.  She then got mad, lost weight, then gained weight, she even looked like she ate something sour...  I got kinda frustrated at her at one point and decided to melt her hair.  That was the tipping point when my husband decided she was "way to scary" and that he didn't like her.  It was about Halloween.  So she sat for a few weeks, until it came to me what to do to set her right, soften her and make her way less scary.  Over the past two days she went from sour grapes in the bottom right corner to The Reader, above. 
She needs a few corrections here and there, but for the most part, she is done.  I'll work a little more on her fingers and finalize her hair and I see now, I need to fix the corner of her mouth..  but, I am promising myself I will not fall into the spin cycle.  
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Friday.