Wax and Images – new ideas

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One thing about being away from home – it gives you time to think about new projects. Since I met Michelle Belto (see a link to her new book, Wax and Paper Workshop in my Book links, right) I’ve really been intrigued with the idea of embedding images under thin layers of wax. The closest I’ve come to using encaustic wax is this piece for my 30 Shades of Twilight show on Dec. 7th.

You might be interested in this online tutorial from artist Haley Nagy, whose work is included in Michelle’s book – I was. When I get home, I’ll experiment. Maybe we can have a workshop on the process?

Signing out from Boston, off to a paper shop on Beacon Street!

 

 

 

Blogging from Boston

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What a glorious weekend to be in Boston – I’m staying in the Beacon Hill neighborhood just across from the Boston Public Garden where I went walking this morning. The trees are a zillion different colors – I expect that some of these images will show up in my work soon. Plans are to see the Boston Museum of Art before we leave on Tuesday – I could get used to visiting here often.

 

Horse Totem & Dreams, Driftwood Sculpture

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It is always such a delight to see how other artists use my face shards – here’s a small one on the left of a larger sculpture. The amazing wood is naturally colored in reds and oranges. The artist, Debra Bernier from Victoria, British Columbia, sent me this photo. See this piece and more of her work at her Etsy shop, Shaping Spirit.

 

The light bulb of creativity

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I think mine just switched on – look what got put together this morning – a Scarf Shard! I made this last night thinking I would put the beaded face pendant on a strand of beads, but then a eureka moment struck me. This is pretty, and it feels soft around my neck. The wrap stays amazingly secure – I think I’ll make some more for the December 1st Open Studio/Open House (hope it’s on your calendar). Carol Sue, can you see possibilities in this with your fiberarts? Hope so!

 

Cheap, Fast, Good

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As my printer friend says when talking to her customers, pick any two – but these candle screen holders are all three – great idea. they’re made from waxed paper and use (of course – duh) electronic candles. I saw this on Design Sponge and plan to steal the idea immediately. Want to steal it, too? Check the link.

Animal Spirit Faces in Mosaic

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I love seeing how other artisans use my shard faces in their work. These are some photos posted by Dos Manos Mosaics with a note to me from Connie Stout, the force behind Dos Manos. She’s doing some amazing and inspired work.

 

The end is (maybe) in sight . . .

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Tonight I finished the 22nd painting in the 30 Shades of Twilight series. That’s good, but even better is that I like them all, some better than others, of course. But for the first time, I laid them out together in some sort of order, and they made a good, strong visual statement. So, whew! Eight more to go but those will happen at a more relaxed pace. Here are three that are current favorites, although that changes. Dang, thirty paintings is a lot.

 

Rune and Relic

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The new “Rune and Relic” finish on my little face shards has been a hit on the EarthShards Etsy shop – it’s so easy, too. The trick is to use one of my favorite substances, walnut ink, on the unglazed clay. The Terra Cotta ink goes on the terra cotta faces and the Eucalyptus ink goes on the white faces. Voila! If you are not familiar with Walnut Ink, it’s great stuff. You can get it lots of places, including Michaels, in a four-pack of spray bottles. Use your 40% coupon, and it’s only about $12.

Rune and Relic finish

Save this date – free food and art!

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Do you ever commit to a great idea, then realize how close it’s getting? Well, here I go again – it’s open studio time, and I’ll have lots of new ScentShards, SprigShards, spirit pins, shard faces, journals, votive screens – at least that’s the plan! If nothing else, there will be lots of food with Chef Mike in charge of the cooking.

Please plan to drop by – I know there are a zillion things going on in December (like the King William Home Tour on this same day) but we would like to wish you a happy holiday. Whether you go home with some artsy gifts or just a full tummy, we’d love to see you.

But wait! There’s more – if you subscribe to my new blog, Shards, (see form on right) I’ll put your name in a drawing for a custom magnetic shard adornment pin. You don’t need to be there to win – I will get someone to do the drawing during the event and email you.

Journal Delight

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At the Trinity Alumni Artisan Show yesterday, my friend Bonnie Flake requested three new journals for her grandchildren – what a delightful task! It had been a while since I worked in “journal mode” but I put one together in the studio last night. It reminded me how much fun they are. They are like little stories in themselves. The title of this one is Claire Luna and is is a 5×7″ collage cover on an existing bound plain lined journal base.