CASTAWAY STONES

"JELLYROLL" had her maiden voyage today. She is a humble craft (very humble) but as a prototype I'm not too concerned. She remained afloat! Hopefully I will be able to locate her after she has made her crossing. It is not the full trip across Lake Ontario yet I don't think she is strong enough for that but hopefully my boats will improve! She is comprised of driftwood,stone,oak leaves and encaustic paint and is the first of the traveling pieces.

CASTAWAY STONES

Some pieces are a little closer to home so that I hve a better idea come next year how this medium holds up to real weather. "The Humpbacks" (encautic on driftwood) and "A Brief Pelican" (Encaustic on limestone) are my test subjects and unlikely to be found :(. However, their loss will gain me the info I need to keep the sculptures around longer than my previous efforts. From now on the others will find their way back to the wild and maybe if I am lucky to someones back garden!

CASTAWAY STONES

Castaway stones is an idea I have been playing with most of my life. Many of my paintings and sculptures are in remote locations beiging with the tiny totem pole I planted at 11 (lost some years ago) to a tree painting I copied from Norval Morissseau (one of my favorite painters) that has since degenerated. Recently I am trying something a little more permanent using encaustic on limestone. These pieces are realitively small but hopefully durable (the wax) as they have been "set free" in Lake Ontario to take their chances with the waves. If any remain I will recolllect them in the spring. 1 Nov 2008 I released "Madame Toad and the Frogmen" unfortunately I haven't seen her since as we've had a few good storms!! Maybe someone picked her up (I hope so) I have put my email address on her we'll see! If so I hope they let her go again somewhere they can keep an eye on her to see how she fares.

Encaustic Journal 3 Oct 2008

CAOTIC MAIZE

My first painting is completed! (26 Sep 2008)

I had the sketch laid out about this time last year! Which illustrates my prcrastination issue..it's sooo easy to find something else to do...muck the barn ...walk the dogs..go shopping!! Too easy! The only good thing about crutches is you pretty much have to stay where you land for a while so you might as well paint. Unfortunately this photo is an example of the difficulty of taking pictures of encaustic paintings. Either they are too dark and flat like this one or they turn out with too much glare. The fixative sprayed on the surface to prevent bloom creates a high gloss finish. They reflective nature means that the sculptural nature of the wax and the ceramic tile finish is lost in translation. I will try to get my husband to tow it outside for a photo natural light sometimes helps. Wax is a learning process one problem solved means another is usually close behind just keep painting!

Note: Bloom is a natural small mold that grows on beeswax similar to the mold on plums or grapes. Sometimes the effect is desirable but if you don't want it spray matte fixative will keep it in check. The gloss created by the fixative provides another interesting effect. If my camera will allow I will photograph the difference.

Cathi

Wid Encaustic Journal : 1 Oct 2008

THE PAINTING DIVA IS BACK!! I'M PAINTING AGAIN!!!!
15 years of male nudes ...a 4 year hiatous ...one fall off a horse and here I am!!!
I never thought it would happen...I started a off to ride the Trans Canada Trail MY DREAM with the hopes of getting enough sketches and photos to start painting again but FATE has intervened. Apparently it thought I needed a little more practice than that! So off I came from Stella (as soon as I can figure out how to link these two Blogs) and landed in the hospital and now infront of my wax as there is little else I can do for the next while. Sooo as of 22 Sep 2008 I am offically painting daily. In the hopes of recapturing my Divahood! I'm hoping by 22 Sep 2009 but who knows this is my first love come back to me. I started in outdoor painting it looks like I'm back. Oh I'm not a purist! I paint in a gazebo or the cottage when I can get there. When you paint in wax you atract alot of BUZZ!! It's good to have screening! I'm also a photo junkie I want to capture the light aand the moment I also want enjoy the experience and my camera lets me do all that so no appologies. My technique is self taught not the traditional which I find beautiful and contemplative but not me. I enjoy a little caos and this style helps me express it! Wax is a wonderfully elastic medium I encourage anyone to explore it! Just watch your heat setting at 250 F and above it can produce a toxic fume. Ventilate ventilate thats why I work outside when I can and with ventilation when I'm in. Over the course of my year to Divahood I will try to empart any tips I can for anyone interested in wax. There is more than I can think of ways to create with it. From Casts to painting on glass to build a multi layered image it's amazing. I use stricktly beeswax because some of my casts live outside year round (one even survived the Ice Storm and is still going strong!) I would love to answer any questions I've been using this medium for over 20 years I'm still learning about it. Enough evangelical! On with painting.
Cathi