Of Bees and Trees - The paintings

One last catch-up post because I said I would blog about my art show and then I didn't and 2014 is almost over. 

I had a show of my encaustic paintings, Of Bees and Trees, at the Smithers Art Gallery from Oct 28 - Nov 26 so much of the year was spent either painting or stressing about the paintings that I needed to get done.  It was kind of scary to put myself out there like that but I got lots of positive feedback and sold a few paintings, too.  Here are a few pieces from the show.

Sunflower, Good Morning, Encaustic, 24x24"

White Rose, Encaustic, 24x24"

Poppies I, Encaustic, 8x24"

Poppies II, Encaustic, 8x24"

Yellow Lily in Red Bowl, Encaustic, 24x24"

One with the Sun, Encaustic, 24x24"

Autumn Beauty, Encaustic, 8x24"

Now I am putting away my encaustic paints until next summer when I can work outside or in my studio with the door wide open.

Melange Team Monthly Challenge (Rain)

This month's challenge prompt on the Melange Team blog is "Rain."  My ideas for this one were as dried up as our forests right now but while creating a different piece yesterday, this one evolved.

MacArthur Park - Encaustic Mixed Media - 8x8 cradled board

This is my favourite encaustic painting so far.  I want to sing MacArthur Park every time I look at it but hopefully I get that out of my system before I show it anywhere!

Binta Fire (Encaustic)

For most of August we have been plagued with the constant smoke from fires to the west and east of us.  The sun in late afternoon and early evening was often a blazing ball of red.

Binta Fire - Encaustic  on cradled board - 12x12

 

 

 

 

Encaustic was a natural choice for this painting, both for its association to heat and fire and for its unpredictable nature.

Encaustic Day 3, still having fun...

...but I have to admit, I'm a wee bit frustrated, too.  The learning curve is climbing.  I would sure love a workshop right about now!

The first thing I did was 'fix' my Dream piece from yesterday.  I could see that the balance wasn't right as soon as I posted it so here are the before and after.

This next piece is a mixed media collage.  It's not the piece I started out doing.  The gummy heap of wax from that effort is set aside for another day.  For this one  I used music, end paper from an old book, pressed flowers, handmade papers and a tjap impressed into the wax.  I coloured the incised lines with oil stick and wiped away the excess.  Clear encaustic medium was used on each  layer.

I can already see some changes I'd like to make but not today and maybe not at all.  We'll see.

Pressing Flowers in the Microwave

If your only experience with pressing flowers is using an old-fashioned press or phone books, you will be pleasantly surprised by the results you'll get by pressing in the microwave.

 Mothers need music, too:  Mixed media collage

But, before we start, here's my disclaimer:  I'm human therefore I'm fallible. You are human therefore you are fallible.  I do my best to ensure accuracy and completeness in my directions but I cannot guarantee results.  Please read my blog Terms of Use before proceeding.  If you're okay with all of this, then please continue!