peony faux encaustic process

The first in a new series of florals that will all have a faux encaustic finish that I have been refining and adapting...... I found a new additive that has really enhanced the finish I am trying to come to, and the recipe is now good to go! To see images of other faux encaustic pieces, check out my Flickr Stream.

Encaustic - Painting technique which combines color pigment with hot wax and resin. This mixture of materials is applied in its semi-liquid form to a panel or other support as paint and then fused to the surface with heat. (from the Arizona State Museum, glossary of paint terms)

Faux Encaustic - The use of acrylics, gels, and waterbased mediums to replicate the look of hot wax and pigments in a safer manner.

Another faux encaustic series post here.
In the studio here.
Studio process here.

Faux encaustic workshop coming soon.

well.... you need a cake!

You can't have a smashing party without a cake to celebrate, so I have been putting a lot of thought into the COLOR of the cake of course! Conversations with the baker at the bakery (and more thinking still) had me focused on the new space and what makes it so special. Some of you will have noticed a very calming influence of white painted brick in my studio, and very little art in there to take away from whatever is on the easel. There are white on white inspirational items that fill shelves along the walls, and it is a peaceful space. The gallery/discussion space is filled with happy, riotous color and is a high energy space. I love the difference and when I have one guest over I let them choose where we will sit and talk.... with interesting results.

On the day of the party the cake will sit on the work table in my studio space, and I decided on a white layer cake with white buttercream frosting... decorated all over the top with white roses and light green leaves. Nobody may get it but me, but it is a homage to the new space that shelters and inspires me.

Glen Echo was hopping all weekend with the Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park and hundreds of visitors flocked around the neighborhood and came by my studio. A great PR opportunity. We closed up briefly and walked over to have lunch in the park and the sheer number of people as compared to my old days at the art center was mind boggling. The resident artists showed off their spaces in the park and people saw glass demos and bought pottery and other crafts, while listening to all sorts of performers. A great weekend!

on the wall

I am re-arranging the studio for the party and hung the newly completed faux encaustics after moving around some other pieces....... there is so much new work to do.... my fingers are itching to get going. Another new painting is nearly completed with images coming soon.

Mrs. L ........ your copy of the evite is winging its way to you!

a place to leave your ink

I put out a new guestbook yesterday... the old one has been around since my first days at the art center, and it was definitely time to start fresh in this wonderful new space. I decided to make things more artsy and interesting by setting out a basket of colored pencils in every hue so that people can sketch and doodle, too.

I heard from a very close high school friend that I met in 9th grade yesterday that she will be coming down for the party.... making a drive of more than six hours to come and share time with me. I am so looking forward to seeing her as the last time I saw her was at the joining, and I am just tickled to think that so many people from so many different chapters of my life will get to meet. People from Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, New York, and who knows where else are planning to come and join the friends I have made in the last nine years for a celebration of art and friendship and journeys.

in this 30th year

With this big anniversary and the party coming up I have been hearing from a lot of old friends.... some who are going to make the journey for the party, and some who are sending good wishes and their kind thoughts and memories along in communications. So many people have been a part of this journey...... people who offered support and knowledge and wisdom as I grew this business around my art. Mentors, business owners, friends, teachers, opportunity-givers, colleagues, all those people who offered expertise and wisdom in one way or another.

All of this has had me thinking about so many people. The business man who always had a wise word or two who taught me so much about the art of working with people, the owners of the art store who helped me get my workshop business off the ground years ago and were always there to cheer me on - and are now still cheering me on when I am so far away, the friends who were and are endlessly supportive with helping hands and shoulders to lean on, my artist, photographer and writer friends who have become pen pals over the years as we shared thoughts and inspirations as we traveled our own paths, collectors who have supported my vision.... so many people.

As artists we often say that our path is a solitary one, because we spend so much time working alone.... and yet, when I think of all these people, maybe the path is not so solitary after all. This anniversary has reminded me of all the people who helped me get here, to this very moment, in so many varied ways. A dream realized.

faux encaustics.... workshop coming soon!

one of the smaller squares after the alcohol resist was applied


painting smaller canvases and top-coating large 30x30


faux encaustic just applied


faux encaustic drying


lots of space to work on several things at once


smaller canvases with faux encaustic drying


the large canvas finished... you should see it in person.....

I continue to refine and adjust the faux encaustic mixture to suit my needs, and am thinking I may work on a series of florals top-coated with this mixture as it softens the image and colors in really pleasing ways. The end result is a shimmery, buttery soft finish on the painting that is highly textured and reflective..... yummy! So much fun to play with this series........ they will be hanging in the gallery for the studio warming.

get yours

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