looking back at encaustics
While doing the “big clean” — my delusion of some order in my life — I found myself looking at some encaustic pieces I did a couple years ago. These pieces incorporate a mixture of waxes (beeswax, parafix, and soy wax, which tends to give me a headache) with acrylic paints and various other bits like netting and string. I had taken a workshop and, a result of it, loaded up on various supplies so that I could experiment. Working with encaustics is a great way to blend various media into lots of layers and textures — something I’m very drawn to and yet feel I don’t have enough of in my work.
Here’s a close-up showing more of the texture.
And a bit closer still.
I’ve also been in the sketchbook mood lately. While flipping through the pages of what I’ve done these past couple months, I stopped at this page when seeing the relationship between the strong vertical lines in this watercolor/gouache sketch with the earlier painting. If it were allowed, I’d post an image of the quilt I’m frantically working to finish for entry into the upcoming Visions show. It, too, is right up this alley — verticals, layers, mood.
Here’s a different piece.
And another.
My journals have various notes — try this, try that; add more texture; work in ghost imagery, incorporate obvious line. It’s good going through older journals, comparing the ideas then with what I am doing now. It seems there is something to writing these things down. It’s possible the ideas do seep in and eventually flow into new work.
If you’re interested in encaustic work. here are two books that will get you started:
Encaustic Workshop: Artistic Techniques for Working with Wax, by Patricia B. Seggebrush; and
The Art of Encaustic Painting: Contemporary Expression in the Ancient Medium of Pigmented Wax, by Joanne Mattera.
January 21st, 2010 at 11:41 am
First I’ve heard of Encaustic work. Looks interesting. I’m reorganizing myself and also find that looking through my art journals is refreshing. Found a couple I had lost in my “mess”. Some things in them no longer interest me, but others still call out to me in some way. The notes I made for different techiniques to try is most inspiring to me. Also, having learned a bit more since I made these sketches may help me bring them alive in a future project. Thanks for taking time to share your work. Inspiring.
January 21st, 2010 at 11:52 am
And thank you. I like encaustic, but I’m not keen on the smell. When I’m near the pieces, I can still smell the wax.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Hi Gloria! I adore the encaustic work you’ve done. But if it makes you sick, leave it alone! About showing the work you are entering into Visions … I spoke to Patty at the Visions office this morning, and she assured me that it would be just fine with them if I showed my work on my website/blog. She said they don’t have any requirements like that. In her words, “No, we’re not Quilt National!” :)
January 29th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Thanks Elizabeth! Oh, and good to know about showing the work on the blog. I finally finished my piece and am submitting today. However, I didn’t see anything preventing one from entering another piece that she been in a different exhibit. Did you?