Two More Workshops in 2007 and Other News

The Nature of the Signs for the Seattle show, Vestiges

Work by first-time portrait painters in previous workshops

Day of the Dead Shrine Box

Here we are suddenly deep into fall. Like most people I know, I'm finding myself unbelievably busy. At the same time I'm going around so darn happy because I am doing what I love.

Right now I'm getting ready for this coming First Friday's show at The Art of Your Life, "Encaustic Romance." The seven other artists have delivered their work, amazing in its variety. I'm also getting ready for a show at Frame Up Studios in Seattle's Fremont District on the First Friday of November. I'll have a solo show there called "Vestiges." While I'm celebrating First Friday in Seattle, painter Sierra Briano will be showing at The Art of Your Life. Her newest work has a political but humorous bent and deals with immigration issues. Look for more about this show soon!

If you want to take some unusual art workshops before the year ends, mark your calendars for these:

October 28: Dia de los Muertos Fiesta

Play and celebrate while you construct a Day of the Dead shrine for someone you want to remember and honor. We’ll have lots of inspiring materials on hand and join together in a feast for our loved ones. Tuition: 60. Bring copies of special photos if you wish. Other materials supplied.

November 10 & 11: Not Just a Pretty Face

Two days of experimenting with paint effects and techniques. Paint fascinating and expressive portraits by learning from the masters. Get to know your subjects and how to use the magic of paint to bring them to life! You will experiment with realistic, impressionistic, maybe even abstract faces as you begin to develop your own unique vision and style. You’ll learn about composition, color, layering, and painting techniques. These days promise to be fun and exciting as you rediscover the joy of painting! You will leave with several studies and a finished painting on canvas. Come inspired and leave even more so! Tuition: 170. All materials supplied! Given at Scarlet Star Studios, contact:http://www.scarletstarstudios.com.

Remember, you and a few friends can arrange to schedule a workshop just for you at my studio or at your home!

First Friday: Encaustic Romance

First Friday Art Opening!
October 5th, 6-9 PM
The Art of Your Life Studio
1210 SE Oak St.,Portland
Member: Central Eastside Arts District
http://www.firstfridayart.com

The Art of Your Life will host an exciting show of encaustic pieces by eight members of the Portland Chapter of the International Encaustic Artists group. Come and see the many different ways this amazing medium can produce luminescent paintings, from abstract to representational paintings and mixed media pieces! Artists showing are: Serena Barton, Andrea Benson, Natasia Chan, Kimberly Kent, Inanna McGraw, Amy Stoner, Mazarine Treyz, and Linda Womack.

The above works are by: Serena Barton, Kimberly Kent, and Linda Womack.


Here's some information on what encaustic means:

The term encaustic comes from the Greek word “encaustikos” meaning to burn in. Greek artists were painting with encaustic as long ago as the 5^th century BCE. While almost lost for a time, this ancient art has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity during the last 15 years. This renaissance is due to improved tools, available information on the process and most important, the lustrous appearance of the work.

Encaustic refers to the process of painting with molten wax (usually beeswax), resin, and pigments that are fused after application into a continuous layer and fixed to a support with heat. Because the wax cools in minutes, additional coats can be added almost immediately, yet the painting can be reworked at any time in the future. The surface can be made smooth or roughly textured and can be incised to show layers below the surface.

Next Workshop: Layers of Memory/Imagination

The next workshop at The Art of Life will be a unique collage workshop called "Layers of Memory/Layers of Imagination." For this workshop bring several copies of two images that you love. This could be a vintage family photo or a reproduction of an old master painting, for example. A variety of interesting materials will be available to add to your images. You’ll leave with two magical collages.

Sunday, September 10 from 10-4
Bring a brown bag lunch, your image copies, and your willingness to experiment. No previous art experience required!

The Art of Your Life Studio
1210 SE Oak St., Portland
info@artofyourlife.com
971-404-7664

Pictures from "The Forgiving Medium"

Last weekend's acrylic workshop was terrific! Here are a few pictures from work in progress. Everyone was enthusiastic and willing to experiment with many techniques from thin washes to thick impasto paintings. Many thanks to those who participated!

International Encaustic Artists: Portland Chapter

I recently joined the Portland chapter of International Encaustic Artists, a non profit organization dedicated to supporting encaustic artists and furthering the opportunities for people to see work in this wonderful medium. I went to my first meeting last week and was thrilled to be among others who are in love with beeswax! We talked for hours, trading techniques and viewing each other's work. Encaustic is hot (pun intended) here in Portland.

For those wondering what encaustic is, here's a brief definition.

Encaustic refers to the process of painting with molten beeswax, resin, and pigments that are fused after application into a continuous layer and fixed to a support with heat. Because it cools in minutes, more coats can be added almost immediately. Once the surface has cooled an encaustic painting presents a permanent finish, yet the painting can be revised and reworked at any time. Encaustic can be applied in thin glazes or thickly in relief. It can be scraped, carved, left roughly textured or made smooth.

For a chance to see the amazing variety of effects that can be achieved with encaustic, come to the next First Friday opening at The Art of Your Life Studio. We'll have eight members of the local IEA showing work in our exhibition, Encaustic Romance.
Several members also teach encaustic classes. I'm not yet sure who all of them are, but for starters, you can contact Linda Womack at
http://www.lindawomack.com
and Andrea Benson at
http://www.andreabenson.com.

The pictures in this post are by Andrea and Linda who will be in the October First Friday show, along with Amy Stoner, Natasia Chan, Marlene Treyz, Kimberly Kent, Inanna McGraw, and me.

Workshops Next Weekend!

The two workshops below are scheduled for next weekend at The Art of Your Life.



The Forgiving Medium

Not a compassionate clairvoyant. but a fun and supportive acrylic workshop for beginners! Some of the great qualities of acrylics are: they dry quickly, they have brilliant colors, they are easy to use, and they can be painted over as many times as you want. Bring your desire to experiment and leave with two small paintings.

September 15th

12-4 PM

Led by Serena Barton

Tuition: 60. (includes most supplies)

The Art of Your Life Studio

1210 SE Oak St. Portland

971-404-7664

info@artofyourlife.com

Meet Your Muse!

Have fun exploring with creative exercises designed to unleash your inspiration! Create your Secret Book. Design your plan for keeping regular dates with your Muse.

September 16 10 AM to 4PM. Morning snacks and all materials provided. Bring a brown bag lunch. Tuition: 90.

Flora & Fauna Show

Here are some pictures of last week's First Friday show, Flora and Fauna. We had a great turnout and several sales! Thanks to all who stopped by The Art of Your Life to view the work by Julia Gardner, Katie Evans, and Serena Barton.