Wild Work in Oil and Cold Wax

Shelly's painting in oil/cold wax/graphite on Arches Oil Paper

Wild women met recently at my studio for "Expressive Abstraction in Oil and Cold Wax." They produced wonderful completed work and work in progress. 

Very early stages left to dry.

All the students were experienced painters but had not used cold wax before. They had to learn to let layers dry and not to overwork the pieces in the early stages, which we all tend to do when we're starting out in this medium.

The trick is to work on a lot of pieces at once to let layers dry and also to become looser.

By the second day, all the artists had loosened up wonderfully and explored a lot of options in color, composition, incising, scraping back, and texturing. Thanks to all of you for a wonderful weekend!

Adding collage elements using cold wax medium as the glue

Adding and spreading paint and wax with a palette knife

Using a brayer to spread paint and texture

 A beautiful and dynamic finished piece.

Closeup of above

More of the lovely finished pieces from the class:

Detail from the piece at the top of the post. The piece was inspired by a painting of a young woman carrying another on her back.

Gold transfer leaf makes this piece sing, and the next few as well.

Covering over a piece in progress, then scraping and incising back produces complex simplicity.

Lively works in progress:

Art of Life Regroups

The women's art group, over which I loosely preside, met again for the first time since June. It was a delight to see old friends and welcome two new members. We had artists working on collage, acrylic painting, mixed media, and oil and cold wax painting. The studio was a beautiful mess. Love it!

Here are the results: Some are finished and some in process. 

Sarah's Oil/Cold Wax Piece

Connie's Acrylic Painting

Oil and Cold Wax in Process

Acrylic Painting in Process

Susana's Mixed Media Piece in Process

Iris' Image Transfer and Collage Piece 

Iris and I Worked on this Together, Using Her Photo

Carolyn's Painting in Process

Cindy's Mixed Media 3-D Piece

Featuring the work of Martha Rea Baker

Martha Rea Baker is one of my talented guest artists in the book and the first of these I'll feature on this blog. I feel that Martha evokes in her paintings everything I love about Northern New Mexico.

Martha lives in Santa Fe, NM. Here's what she has to say about how living in this inspiring area has enriched her work:

"My move to Santa Fe has influenced my work through texture and light. I am intrigued by the rich history and culture of the area and enjoy developing my paintings and collages with multiple layers. My personal vision is revealed through subtle textures inviting discovery. The process becomes a metaphor for “life”. All of our past experiences, one building upon the other like the layers on the canvas, weave a rich tapestry. My wish is to engage and challenge you, the viewer, to uncover the veiled mysteries."

I'm fortunate to have one of Martha's Chronos series featured in my new book, Wabi-Sabi Painting with Cold Wax. Here are a few more of her work evoking the passing of time and layers of life. I hope someday to see some of her work in person. I also hope someday to work in this large a format and with something approaching Martha's vision.

Slate     Oil/Cold Wax on Panel         24' x 24'

Chronos VI       Oil/Cold Wax on Panel      30' x 30'

You can see more of Martha's work on her site. Thank you again, Martha, for being willing to contribute to the book!

Back to the Blog

The High Road (Diptych)                      Oil/Cold Wax on Deep Cradled Panels

I can't believe I haven't written a blog post since April. What's that about? In part it's about being busy, but more, I think, about my tendency to post news on FB instead. I have been thinking about the purpose of art blogs and what I want mine to be as I resume posting.

I do see the blog as a publicity tool, but I want it to be more than that. I'm interested in sharing news about other artists, art tools and methods, art inspirations and ruminations. In today's post I will be sharing some of my work and accomplishments, but also those of another artist I admire. 

I have recently received my advance copy of my new book from North Light! I'm delighted how my work and the work of my talented contributors looks. The book comes out on August 19 and can be pre-ordered now at Amazon or The North Light Shop. I'll be profiling my 12 contributors in future posts.

I had included a resource page in the book, but for some reason it didn't appear in this printing. I've posted the resources on my website. On my resource page I give thanks and appreciation to the artist who has generously shared with many her vast knowledge and expertise in the medium of oil and cold wax. This is Rebecca Crowell, who is currently co-writing her own book on oil and wax. (Hers will be out in 2016, so read mine this year, and hers next year!)

Mayo Coast 3       Rebecca Crowell   Oil/Cold Wax on Panel

Quick note about my classes: My July class in Yachats, OR is full. There are still spots open in my oil and cold wax class at The Miller Studio in Seattle, August 15 & 16. Information/Registration on my site.

Inspired by an Amazing Discovery

I'm working on a group of three oil/cold wax pieces, 24" x 24" on deep cradled panels. I'm inspired here by the discovery in 2013 of the skeleton of the controversial King Richard III of England (1452-1485.) The body was found under a parking lot in Leicester, England. It's a moving and fascinating story.

I'm working backward, so here is the third part of the series.

Hic Jacet Ricardus Rex  #3              OIl/Cold Wax on Deep Cradled Panel

If you'd like to learn more about this compelling story, check out this video and this book, not to mention many internet sites.

Banish the January Blahs With An Art Class!

Winter Clarity                              Oil/Cold Wax on Panel

 Happy New Year to you all!

I'm excitedly gathering supplies for my upcoming two-session class at my studio. We'll explore using oil paint, cold wax medium, and mixed media on wood panels and on two kinds of oil-friendly paper.This class is all about experimentation, boldness, and intuition--a great way to start 2015.

Cold wax mixes with oil paint to produce a gorgeous paint surface with a subtle sheen. In this two session workshop you’ll experiment with free and bold abstract work. Enjoy exploring this unusual and interactive medium. You’ll leave with several gorgeous pieces!

January 10 & 17   11-5

SE Portland, OR

Two spots left! Information/Registration on my site.

Art and Soul Virginia Beach and Rusted Cloth in Back Yard

I looked up from working on my book to see that my talented friend and colleague, Erin Keck had made this collage of my classes at the upcoming Art and Soul Virginia Beach. I am so impressed! Thank you Erin!

My teenage grandson was over yesterday and I showed him how I rust cloth. He isn't into art, but he does like to see processes. I sprayed cotton muslin with a solution of vinegar and water (50/50). Then I sprayed a bunch o' rusty things and wrapped them up in the cloth. I covered them loosely with plastic and let them sit in the back yard overnight. I really like how it turned out!

Wabi-Sabi.

A Few Spots Open at This Weekend's Workshops

I'm so looking forward  to this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday when I will be teaching at the fabulous Collage store and classroom in Portland's Alberta Arts District. There are a few spots left for the 2-day class on Friday and Saturday and for the Sunday class. 

In our 2-day class, Strata of Time, we'll explore the rich range of texture and color offered by painting with cold wax and oil. We'll use a variety of tools to shape our wax and oil mixtures. We'll also experiment with plaster, oil pastels, mixed media, and more! To find out more go to the description on the Collage website.

I will be signing copies of my book at Collage on Saturday evening. Come join us for refreshments and art talk! 

  

 
Sunday's class is called Visual Haiku. We'll create wabi-sabi pieces inspired by traditional haiku. Our media will include re-inkers, alcohol inks, acrylic paint, vintage papers, specialty papers, and recycled elements. For more about this playful class, go to the description on the Collage site.