Day 18: Playing in the Wax - Trois Poires, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

This is actually mixed media as I started with fabric dye on a rubber stamp, then painted acrylic craft paint on a layer of wax, then stenciled contrasting colors and finished up with a bit of pearl ex.
2011-November-8-004-w

Bloo: a "Coloring Book" exercise, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

I learned a lot from this piece, not the least of which was to make sure that all letters contrast equally with the background!

Mary Wright Encaustic Exhibit and Demo, a photo by Sultry on Flickr.

I attended an opening and demo by Mary Wright at the encaustic center in Richardson this evening. Meaning NO OFFENSE to any of the other featured artists, I feel I connected most with her and her work. Most were semi-representational, but all were also capable of handling multiple interpretations and projections.
She acknowledged that trees were important symbols to her - representing stability and strength. Turns out her dad was a "woodsman." I don't know that she had made the connection before.
There were lots of great pieces, but the tree above really rooted me to the floor!

http://www.theencausticcenter.com/exhibitions.html

She demonstrated how to do graphite (pencil) transfers, using her adorable grandbaby as the example. Don't be surprised if you see me attempting to do the same.






You can see more of her works at her website: http://www.marywright.org/encaustic-paintings.html





She was remarkably generous (and clear) with her tips, tricks and methods. She gets credit in my mind for figuring out how to use contact paper as a stencil. Of course the depth of patience she displayed to design, cut, stick, wax and then peel the stencils was pretty outstanding, too!



I have a number of images of my paintings, of sheep, and Texana that I can hardly wait to print and sandwich!

Last but not least, the others in attendance made it a great evening. In the center his Mr. Wright, who makes Ms. Wright's cradled supports. Seated with the blond curls is their son who plays French Horn and attended NTSU. To the left is a fascinating gentleman who was dragged there (he claimed) by his wife. He and I ended up chatting about his career (logistics and civil engineering for the oil business after he left military service), logic (we agreed that we didn't know many politicians who seemed to know logic!) as well as the difference between men and women, artists and salesmen. Great fun!

Photos to come
I am definitely addicted.
To encaustic "painting" that is.
I have now sacrificed our electric frying pan to wax melting.
I have purchased a temperature regulator, a wood burning tool and a tacking iron.
Tomorrow I'm going to spend part of my "allowance" on a heat gun.

I worked on some encaustic panels instead of either reading OR eating.

See what I mean. Addicted. in a good way.