Stretching my wings....getting ready to fly....

First step, "Poppies on tissue" - archival tissue paper, pen and 'caran d'ache' watersoluble wax pastels..these are so yummy and smooth to use....

I remember the days when I drew incessantly...those were the highschool days, when I dreamed of being a full time artist, going to college, doing my art degree etc...and then something changed....and I pursued another path...but after 16 years of that other social work path, I am back, stretching my artistic wings again and enjoying every minute of it...it has been three years as a full-time artist & facilitator... and now I am feeling another wave of change coming on...pushing my comfort zone to try and incorporate a few more of my own drawings into the work I do...so here is the first attempt....

I have found other forms of art since, that has given space for joy, creative outlet in collage ...but I haven't drawn a lot since then...I am now about to try and change that...one baby step at a time.

I found this great acid free archival tissue paper in the states when I was there for the Encaustic Painting Conference...and for a while now I have been dreaming of getting my pen and pencils out and to start doodling and drawing again...so that I can incorporate these images into my encaustic pieces...so here is the first..a poppy design I drew which I would like to embed into an encaustic piece...layered with other yummy images, patterns, texture etc.

I will keep a blog post going on the development of this piece ..here is the first step to the whole process... The magic of tissue is that it just melts away or disappears into the piece leaving your work, writing etc. vibrant...

Encaustic Painting Conference at Montserrat College

Courtesy of Linda Womack, http://embracingencaustic.wordpress.com/

Fourth Annual Encaustic Painting Conference - Best Ever ......Lots of links to check out below and some new collage works

"Lotus Dreams" 8 x 11, matted to 11 x 14

Collage Mixed Media, 2010

" My Flying Heart", 8 x 11, matted to 11 x 14

Collage Mixed Media, 2010

Well I am back from the fourth annual Encaustic Painting Conference at Montserrat College of Art, it always takes me about a week to wind down and get back into the swing of things....

This time around I spent a whole week there and I have to say it was the best ever yet conference for me after going for three years in a row...From the free workshops on Friday, to the Keynote address, to the Panel on Sat. morning..all the demonstrations and talks I attended were top notch, the vendors and selection increased, the many art exhibits were fabulous, the lunches, the people I met ....I could go on..the BBQ at Julie Shaw Lutts was a great way to end the week long adventure...and my hands on workshop with Catherine Nash was mind blowing for me.....I can't go on enough..Joanne Mattera, you and the college folks really out did yourselves...THANK YOU; THANK YOU, & THANK YOU : )!  I am so eager to try more of the MONO PRINTS in the book art format....can't wait to play more..

The conference blog highlights the conference in details with many links to explore of other artist's blogs, and free handouts for those of you eager to learn hands on techniques with the encaustic medium..check it out!  Really think about attending next year .....

Linda Womack's blog has a really great video clip of the conference, where you can here the buzz of our ever growing hive...

This year I was so engrossed in the activity and learning,....that I didn't take a whole lot of photos..but there are many other great blogs to check out photos ....so please go on a lovely blog journey...enjoy!  Truly food for the soul....

Abundance is everywhere, and all around...taking time for creativity...

"You Inspire" Encaustic Mixed Media, 2010, 18 x 34

Recently I re-read this section of "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and thought I would share it here...

"Making art begins with making hay while the sun shines.  It begins with getting into the now and enjoying your day.  It begins with giving yourself small treats and breaks."

It reminds us to be generous to ourselves in all ways.  That art requires us to empower ourselves with choice.  Which at the most basic level, this means choosing to do self-care.  Giving yourself time to enjoy art and creativity.  Giving yourself the small gifts that life has to offer, smelling the peonies in bloom, picking fresh raspberries, enjoying a fruit smoothie, going for a long fresh walk, dancing more, listening to music, basking in the sun....
Creative living requires the luxury of time and space, which we can only carve out for ourselves.  In return we are able to give even more of ourselves back to our commitments and responsibilities in life. 

See current newsletter, June news, for more info, and some workshops to take time to do some creativity over the summer. 

Who Does She Think She Is? TRAILER

Who Does She Think She Is? TRAILER

Recently I attended a fantastic workshop called "Money is my friend" hosted by this Shaman, Moon Dancer...and I have to say she was fantastic..of course I went in with some preconceived ideas, judgements and she was able to hit some things right on the 'money' that I had to do a double take...and I have been thinking of the bits she has shared for a very long time all week actually....the first session was about "Choice and Change" and it was really wonderful to reaffirm the choices we have around abundance, and to see money as a friend, that it is our perspectives that change -- which we can choose, ....there were many other ahhaas that nite...and one of them was her guidance to this wonderful movie for me, called:

"Who Does She Think She is? " Directed by Pamela Tanner Boll, co-directed edited by Nancy C. Kennedy.  Check out the website too:  www.whodoesshethinksheis.net  See above You Tube Trailer..thanks Moon Dancer for the recommendation.