Hi there.

I just wanted to stop in and say I'm still here creating at what seems to be a snail's pace. Do you ever have so many ideas that they all get kind of jumbled and individual ideas can't break free? Well, I've been experiencing that lately and it's been mixed in with the whole cross country move thing which is beginning to demand more of my brain power.  But yesterday it was gorgeous out and so I rolled up the door of my garage/studio and got to work on the painting pictured above.  I was visited by at least half a dozen bees who were seriously interested in what I was doing with their wax.  I took their visit as a sign that Spring is here to stay and realized that they too are gypsies traveling as needed, seeking beauty and sweetness and creating constantly.  I took their advice and added more daisies for my figure to rest on and must say those little guys were right....it's just what she needed.  I'm going to finish up this piece today and hopefully prep a few smaller paintings as well. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

and the winner is...

Leililaloo!  Congratulations Dana, I can't think of a nicer place for this little painting than in your color filled new home.  

However, I was so moved by the number of comments on yesterday's post that I decided I needed to add one of my "fly" girls to the give away and so:

  winner # 2 is Kate!

(Kate I just need your address)

Thanks to everyone for commenting and I wish you all a fabulous weekend!  

Spring give-away...

                                               

As I worked on this little painting entitled "Spring Showers" the sky was grey and the wind was howling.  Bits of tissue and newsprint were sailing through the air and the temperature was dropping.  But as I've mentioned the past few days I know in my heart that spring is almost here and all of the rain (or melting snow in some cases) is coming down to make way for May flowers.  So, to be entered in the drawing for this painting all you need to do is leave a comment between now and midnight Thursday.  I will announce the winner Friday morning...best of luck and thanks for reading.

how does your garden grow....

Just in case you were curious.  This is a simplified version of how the garden magic happens.  I start with a one inch thick maple block and apply a thin layer of clear medium (beeswax and damar resin heated to 190 degrees on a hot plate).  After heat setting that layer (with a heat gun) I add color with an oil stick and apply a field of flowers using colored encaustic paints.  The whole thing is covered with a layer of clear medium and is heat set again. I carve in flower details (using a pin tool) and apply a layer of black oil stick over the entire piece and then use linseed oil to remove the excess and viola!  I know I've been away for a few days and thought you might enjoy a little peek into the process of encaustic painting.  My relationship with Spring was getting a bit rocky as each day starts with the loveliness of chirping birds and bright sunshine but then the clouds roll in, the sky darkens and brief periods of rain are interspersed with torrential downpours (and even hail) timed so that I have to pick up all three kiddos at separate schools each day.  This was becoming more bothersome and I was really beginning to think that it was wrong of Spring to let me down like this and how she should really meet me 1/2 way until I realized that it wasn't her fault. The heat of Summer and cold, sleet and snow of Winter arrive quickly and sit right down for an extended visit.  But  Spring and Fall are gypsies, travelers, explorers who are more about process than product (which is why i love them so). Spring and Fall sneak in and begin to transform things and before you know it they're gone.  So in the spirit of spring I'm sharing a process today which will lead to a give away tomorrow...   

anticipation and appreciation...

                        her mind buzzed (at the first glimpse of spring)

she contemplated freedom and beauty

Spring is such an amazing season (autumn i'm not cheating on you i'm just saying...).  I love the bursts of green that are dotting the landscape, the bright yellow daffodils at the market and the fact that I just had my 1st asparagus sighting (asparagus is the queen of spring you know...).  All of the sights and sounds of spring awaken something deep inside of me that has been asleep for the past few months and brings the promise of hope, growth and transformation. And even though spring is fickle and likes to play games once I get that 1st glimpse of color it's infectious. I can see spring flirting with me in my sketch book and don't tell autumn but I think I'm in love....

Happy Birthday Sage...

                            ::  you are golden ::

A Slight Adjustment....

There's been a subtle shift in the way things feel around here.  Last week was full of mishaps, mayhem and disappointments.  Looking back at it now with the cushion of a beautiful weekend between me and those happenings I can see that it was a transitional week.  Do you ever have those....when everything just goes wrong, to set you up for what's coming next?  The hard part of going through one of those weeks is that when you're in it you forget the whole cosmic, bigger picture thing and it can swallow you up.  But now, today, I'm on the other side of it and it makes sense.  Spring is showing it's lovely face in so many places it's pretty much taken over my thinking.  There are buds (and even flowers) on most trees and bushes, sunny days are beginning to outnumber rainy ones and the birds exuberance each morning is infectious.  The timing of this attitude adjustment is perfect as I've been invited to participate in Nachotta Gallery's next show entitled "Spring" (the 9x12" painting above is the first of six for that show). So right now I have a pile of freshly cut blocks, the garage door is rolled up, the birds are singing and the wax is heating so I'm off to paint.  Happy March to you and I'm wondering, have you noticed a shift?