The Joys and Frustration of Melted Wax

I have been working with encaustics (beeswax, damar resin and pigment) for less than a year.  I've completed pieces that literally had me jumping for joy and I also have mounds of wax 'mud' that I've scraped off boards after hours of frustration only to find myself there again, hours later, with another pile of mud...and anxious to try again!

I am so amazed by artists who have such perfect control over their work with encaustics.  I am self taught, or more accurately, I am self-teaching, and it's a struggle.  Books are great but nothing beats watching an accomplished artist manipulate their medium in person.  I'll be keeping my eyes open for a workshop soon.  Until that happens, I'm on my own.

Stormy Weather on Francois Lake

 Armed with a fresh supply of encaustic paints, I finished this painting yesterday for a friend's birthday. 

One a Day in May - Day 28 - We all fall down!

Okay, it had to happen.  I just can't do a single thing tonight.  I've been going since 5:30 this morning and it's now 10:30 pm and something has to give.  I guess I could consider this blog post my creative bit for the day.  A bit of a stretch, I know. 

We've had endless rain and/or snow this past couple of weeks and the water is climbing higher and higher.  This is right in front of my house where only some of the fill has been added since construction.

The crashing waves breached my 3 foot rock wall which a few weeks ago was about 15 feet away from the lake.  That's a lot of water!

My fire pit is buried now.  I hope the water level peaks soon.