Mid-Winter Newsletter - Toronto Artist Project and Spring Equinox Daylong Retreat News

I am so excited to share some info. on The Artist Project Toronto (TAP) and some exciting new dates for workshops and another lovely day long retreat event, with Jill Davey, here is the link to the new mid-winter newsletter..hope to see you at TAP?…..I will be at booth #641 LINK: http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=e56a79f4a1768e132c577c778&id=91092c41ec&e=%5BUNIQID%5D

How to create an Image Transfer on Encaustic Medium Work

Above:

Palette of encaustic paint colours on the griddle

Thank you to all those that emailed or messaged me with regards to what you would like to see on the blog, re: future posts..Most folks said they would like some of the following:

• How to techniques
• How to access your inner creative soul - new programming being developed for you in this area…keep posted 
• When to decide to stop, when is a piece finished
• Changing up the process
• Colour palette choices
• And more

So to start with I thought I would share "How to do an image transfer on encaustic medium work"

Below is a series of photos to walk you through the steps I take in completing the image transfer on encaustic work.

Step1:  Materials you will need

• Your encaustic painting
• Metal spoon (for burnishing)
• Spray bottle of water
• Laser, or toner based photocopies on lightweight non glossy paper
• Propane torch, heat gun or heat lamp
• Clear encaustic medium and encaustic brush

Above: Step 1 - Setting up for doing an image transfer

Above: Step 2 - Heating the area where the image transfer will be set

Step 2:  Prepare the area where you would like to place your image transfer by applying some heat to the area with the propane torch or heat gun.  The area needs to be warm to touch (not molten liquid) and recently fused with heat within 10 minutes to create the ideal setting for the image transfer.

Above:  Step 3 -  Prepping your image transfer

By stripping away any excess white paper, leaving some paper outside of the image

Above:  Step 4 -  Place image transfer in the area you would like it to appear

Step 4 : Lay the transfer in the area you would like to see it.  Using a clean spoon, burnish the copy in a circular motion for about three minutes.  A good burnish into the wax is important.  You can never burnish too much, or too long.  Make sure no wax gets transferred to the back of the paper.   Also it is important that the encaustic medium is not too soft, if it is, the pressure from burnishing will produce indentations.  So the surface has to be warm to touch but not soft.  

Above:  Step 5 - Spray the image transfer area with plain cold water.

Step 5: Spray the top of the burnished image with water to soak the paper.  With the tips of your fingertips (without the use of your fingernails, avoiding sharp piercing edges) roll off the soaked paper from the surface. The carbon from the photocopy is left burnished onto your encaustic work.  

Above: Step 6 - Pat dry with a lint free cloth

Above:  Step 7 - Gently oscilliate the heat from the heat gun over the dried image transfer.

Step 7:  The carbon that is released onto the work is sitting on the surface at this point and needs to be gently fused to the previous layer of your work.  Using a heat gun, heat the image transfer carbon gently with a circular motion so it fuses to the previous layer.  Be careful not to apply too much heat or get too close to your work with the heat gun or your carbon image might shift or possibly break apart.  This might end up being a happy accident if this were to happen.  So remember to enjoy this process and let go of being attached to the outcome.  

Above: Step 8 - Protecting your image transfer with some encaustic medium

Step 8:  After the image transfer is on the work, and has had a chance to cool slightly, apply a clear layer of encaustic medium over the image.  This will protect your image transfer from being scratched accidentally.  If you decide you want to put a colour encaustic medium over it, translucency will be important so that you can still see the image and it will nicely recede to the background vs. being on the surface.

Above:  Step 9 - Final round of fusing.

Step 9 - Using a circular motion, apply a second heat application with your heat gun, being careful not to get too close to the image transfer.  I find oscillating the heat really helps the image to stay intact.    This final fusing step removes any brush marks left from the protective layer of medium you have just applied.  It creates a nice smooth finish, if that is what you are aiming for. 

Above:  Final Step - Image Transfer is complete

Your Transfer process is now complete.  You could leave it on the surface or bury it into the background by applying more translucent colours over the image.

If you have enjoyed this post, or have any feedback, I would love to hear from you, please leave me a comment on this blog post.  Thank you!  

I teach many encaustic workshops throughout the year, and a complete listing of my class schedule can be found here!

This technique has been published in Seth Apter's new book, "The Mixed Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams from over 40 Amazing Artists." 

Seth has done an amazing job of bringing together 40 wonderful artists who share what they LOVE to do….enjoy the book, worth getting it..Roxanne's Reflections in Fergus, ON. has a few copies if you would like to purchase your own book.  

Writing from the Heart……

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” ~ 

William Wordsworth

Writing is something I do enjoy … It clears the head and fills the heart.  Helps clear space for my creative muse to share deeper musings.  Of late, I have been thinking about what makes for an interesting blog post…for you as the reader, what do you want to read about?…It is pretty amazing that we live in a world that has become smaller due to tools like blogs etc. so we can share our thoughts, our skills, our passion with each other and bear witness to each other's existence.  

7 years ago I gave up a full time career as a full time social worker, working then in the violence against women and children sector…Which I had done for 16 years…both frontline support, coordination, intervention, prevention/education/community development work and program management.  It is hard to believe that it has been 7 years since I began this full time career and business as an entrepreneur, full time artist, facilitator of creative wellness services and teacher.  

I absolutely LOVE what I do now… and delight in seeing the joy, that art brings people during classes or the transformative healing it creates for participants in the creative wellness services I offer.

Blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social marketing venues help reach wider circles and I would love to hear what might be of interest to those living further a field…What would you enjoy reading about here….on this blog or on blogs in general?  Or what makes for an interesting blog read for you?

Welcome 2014 - Lucky #7

ABOVE: "Seeing Myself Clearly", Encaustic Mixed Media, 12 W x 24 H, 2013

WELCOME 2014…. Lucky #7

I love doing this 'thing' with numbers…I add them up to see what the overall number would be and what I LOVE about 2014, is that it adds up to LUCKY # 7, and 14 is divisible by 2 to give us 7 again.  I can feel it in my bones, can you? 2014 is going to be a wonderful year, full of magnificent epiphanies, rocking magic and delight, on every account.  The power of our thoughts and words are unmistakeable.  I have seen this over and over again, in my own life and in the lives of others.  So to begin this new year, I am choosing my words and thoughts with powerful loving intention, to choose daily gratitude, and to be above all else positive, surrounding myself with others who are living with gratitude and magic.  And I am dreaming BIG.  I would like to invite you to share your positivity and share your magical self with the world.  Sending LOVE to you all and wishing you a wonderful 2014.  Make this a magnificent year, full of great thoughts, positivity and lots of love.  Embrace the struggles, they do exist, it takes patience, perseverance, and hard work to keep going.   Failure is success, it makes us stronger, the key is to keep going, keep dreaming and keep believing in yourself.  You have this power and the choice is yours and mine.  As my lovely 7 year old niece, Ella, would say "Choose wisely".  Make this the year where you dream big, set one, two, or even three big goals you would like to take…that big goal might take one simple step to move you forward.
YOU have the POWER.

On another note, January is also magical for its super moon, two full moons in one month, January 1 and Jan. 30th…enjoy this energy of the moon cycle.  Another reason to embrace the magic of possibility in your life and dream big. 

UPCOMING STUDIO SHARE DATES:
Saturday Jan. 11th & Saturday Jan. 18th  10-4:30 or half dayoption available.  Come work along side me in my studio, bring your own substrates, brushes, personal mementoes, encaustic medium…all else is provided.  For a spot email: supria@supriakarmakar.com

EXCITING UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:

Saturday January 4th, Encaustic Level 1 & 2- Beyond Collage: Learn to work with image transfers, gold/silver/copper leaf, gouging, pigment sticks, 10-4 Elora. ONE spot left.

Sunday January 5th, Encaustic Level 1 & 2- same as above with Encaustics, 10-4 Elora. One Spot left. 

Saturday January 25th, Combined Encaustic Level 2 & 3 at Homer Watson House and Gallery, 10-4, Kitchener with Open Studio Option in the afternoon for past students. 1754 Old Mill Rd, Kitchener, ON N2P 1H7 Call:  (519) 748-4377 to register

Sunday January 26th, Encaustic Level 2 Beyond Collage 10-4 in Elora.  Learn to work with image transfers, gold/silver/copper leaf, gouging, pigment sticks, 10-4 Elora.

Saturday Feb. 8th, Encaustic Beginner's Class Level 1, 10-4, in Elora

Special Encaustic Card Making/Miniature 1/2 day workshop Feb. 9th 1-4:30pm in Elora, all supplies provided $75/student.  Limited spots…a great way to make some lovely gifts.

For a complete list please visit:  www.supriakarmakar.com
 

COMMUNITY NEWS:  You are Loved Project

I would like to share with you a project my friend, Livingston Lacroix is sharing with the world.  Livingston Lacroix is an extraordinary spoken word artist, who will be launching a powerful "You are Loved" project on February 14th, 2014 at the eBar, in Guelph, Ontario, 5-7pm.  About the " You are Loved" project: 
 

This important project is all about spreading a universal message. As human beings we all have an inherent need to know and hear that we are loved, especially on those days where we are just not feeling that way. This is a one-year art project and social experiment that facilitates the growth and amplification of this important message. Our goal is to see how many messages of love we can spread from Valentines Day 2014 to Valentines Day 2015. Our goal is to have thousands of people from all over the world engaging with our project by posting up You Are LOVED stickers and sharing their photographs on Instagram.  For more information visit the You are Loved Project.