Stella and Watson (the same but different)

Stella and Watson

Hello, hello.  This is the bookend to the 'same but different' thing I had in mind this week.  Watson (back) is the one year old Lakeland Terrier we brought home from a rescue organization 5 months ago.   Watson has come such a long way in such a short time he is a little clown when he feels safe and secure and and he has a super  sweet and gentle nature.  Before coming home with us Watson had spent most of his life in a crate and had only lived in the company of other dogs.  I asked the person we got him from to keep her eye out for a good companion dog because I saw the way he lit up in the company of other dogs and as much as we loved him I really felt like he needed a buddy.  And so Monday evening we brought Stella home.  She is a tiny three year old Lakeland Terrier also rescued from a Missouri dog auction.  She is very sweet, social and confident and she and is the perfect companion for Watson.  We still have a bit of work to do on potty training as she spent lots of time in a crate too but honestly we couldn't ask for two more endearing pets.  So, I know I haven't been here much lately but the house being for sale, the holiday, the 2nd dog and a million other little things have kept my head swimming.  But somehow bringing Stella home makes things feel pulled together, in the moment, complete.  Happy Weekend : )

The same but different...

Emotional Block No. 16

ties that bind

Emotional Block No. 17

kinfolk

Hello, hello hello.  After a busy week of travel, family, food I am back home and settling into the making.  Last night I wrapped up a few packages which were sent off this morning and then I headed into the studio where I plan to spend most of the week.  These two blocks (along with two others for a local shop) were created at the same time and although they all have a black background, two women, and a minimal amount of color, they all say something different to me.  Maybe it's the tilt of a head, the shape of each figure or the way the text, pattern and color combine or maybe it's all of these things.  I feel like the same but different is a theme that may carry through this week (more on that in a day or two).  I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, a generous amount of time spent with family and friends and an abundance of good food on the table.  I have soup, roasted veggies and warm spinach salad in mind for this week...how about you?

*free shipping 11/26-12/16

paint it black-

Hi there!  It's been a busy week in the studio and I just wanted to pop in here and share one of my favorite steps in the encaustic process (the step which is very scary to new painters and observers alike!)  I finished prepping the wood blocks, cut out and adhered my newsprint bits, painted backgrounds, fused all of that together in a few layers of clear encaustic and then carefully carved the outlines and details on top of my images using a pin tool. Then comes the magic part where I cover the entire piece with a black oil bar and use my fingers to rub the waxy black paint into every nook, cranny and incised line.  This is where I stopped to let you in on the process (black hands and all messing up my mouse and keyboard).  It is in this moment when I cover everything up that each painting really comes into it's own.  I had just done the first linseed oil wipe on the two paintings on the left and as they began to reveal themselves I decided to share this part of the process (although I'm sure I've shared it in the past).  I will wipe each piece six or seven times and the piece will slowly brighten and sharpen.  Each painting will then be complete after a final pass with the heat gun to dry the surface and fuse the final layer of paint.  I need to get back to work and finish these pieces up for delivery tomorrow but want to wish you a safe, warm, dry and productive week : )

Today...

As soon as my little guy was out the door I walked over to my polling station and voted. Easy, peasy paper voting which I love.  Now that I've checked off the most important thing on my list, I'm heading to the allergist with my 14 year old.   This afternoon I'm planning to make a pot of butternut squash soup for dinner and will continue work on  a group of small paintings for a local shop.  And then, later this evening I will settle in (most likely pour a glass of wine) and watch the election results. 

 I hope that my guy wins : )