Heading to Art Unraveled on Monday

I'll be heading out to teach, take a class, and vend at Art Unraveled. It's held in Phoenix, and yes, it will be hot there. But I don't plan to leave the hotel very much, except for a walk early in the day. I'll be teaching "Wabi-Sabi Wax", a mixed-media encaustic class, and "The Egg and I", painting with egg tempera. I'm taking Pam Carriker's Pan Pastel class. I've never used these before, but the word is they are amazing.

 I'll be selling my art at the Saturday Shopping Extravaganza. Here's a sneak preview of two altered books I'll have for sale.

 

Playing With New Toys

Don't you love trying out new art supplies? I recently got a delightful encaustic iron and yummy hot sticks at Muse Art/Design. The iron is lighter than my other ones and covers a larger area. The hot sticks are made by Enkaustikos and contain rich encaustic pigment with a metallic sheen. I made this triptych just playing around with the iron and sticks.

 

Triptych       Encaustic on Wood

 I used the iron to smooth out my base coats of wax, then did a couple of coats in off white. I then melted the hot sticks onto the iron and ran the iron over the piece. I first used a quinacridone gold stick and then a gold pearl stick. Finally, I used encaustic paint on a brush and made the black swirls. As often happens when I'm just playing, I was happy with the result and with the experience itself.

If you don't live here in Portlandia, you can order these supplies and much more here. I love the iron for an interactive experience with the wax, and the hot sticks are delicious!

Woo-hoo!

 

Contemplative Chaos

I'm thrilled to announce that I have had a book proposal accepted by North Light Press--I just found out! The book will be on wabi-sabi painting and mixed media techniques with lots of inspirational prompts. What an adventure this will be. Thanks to all of you who encouraged me to go for it!

In Praise of Altered Bits and a Coffee Filter Dress

 

 I won a cool steampunk goodie bag from Altered Bits Altered Art!

I'm excited to a be a giveaway winner from one of my favorite blogs, Altered Bits Altered Art. Alicia Caudel is a mixed media artist after my own heart: a lover of mystery, rusty things, steampunk, and artistic possibilities. She has just released her first print zine. I ordered mine right away and I love it. The zine has lavish pictures from various artists and from Alica herself. I find it pure magic. Alicia is one of my "imaginary friends", that is to say we haven't met yet. We both live in Portland and I'm sure we'll soon manage to have our long awaited tea party and art supplies swap.

 You can find this zine through Amazon and through Lulu.

 *

 I was heading for the parking garage today after a routine dental visit when mine eyes were arrested by a window display in the Galleria. In the window were several mannequins wearing garments of recycled materials. My favorite was a dress made of discarded coffee filters by Adrienne Duckrow. As I paused to take a  picture, several people crowded around this window, looking at the dress. Apart from a couple of inane comments as to the dress' practicality, I heard many gasps of wonder at its beauty.

July 4th Special on West Coast Art is...You Classes!

I'll be teaching photo transfer in "Transferred Secrets" at Art is...You

I just found out about an amazing offer I want to pass on right away! The organizers of the West Coast Retreat, "Art is...You" are offering 50.00 off your full class registration when you register this Monday using the coupon code July 4! 

Art is...You is an established, respected, and delightful organization that has offered retreats on the east coast and Australia for years. This fall will be the first west coast retreat in Petaluma, CA.

I'm very excited and honored to be teaching in Petaluma.

I'll be teaching all day workshops on Mixed Media Encaustic ("Wabi-Sabi Wax,) and Creative writing and visual journaling ("Time Travel Diary). I'll be teaching evening workshops on photo transfer ("Transferred Secrets) and palette-knife painting ("Landscape of Dreams.)

Check out the many wonderful class offerings here. 

Here are my classes:

Create juicy landscapes with palette knives in "Landscape of Dreams"

 Have fun with art and creative writing in "Time Travel Diary."

Mine above is the journal of a 17 year old girl living in France

in the 18th century. She has a crush on Mozart.

Create encaustic/mixed media pieces in "Wabi-Sabi Wax". (Torches are involved!)