New Work

Parallel to Vertical
6x6
Encaustic Mixed Media

It's amazing how much can be accomplished in tiny snippets of time. I had been trying to get back into my studio more since the school year started again and I really didn't think I had been very successful. Then I just suddenly realized that I felt this was done.

After looking at it for a couple of days though I think I might need to lighten the rectangle in the center. It was my favorite area and then I put a transfer over it. I don't mind the transfer but I think it's way too dark to be in the very middle of the picture plane.

 I did a big no-no with this project too. The little birds were drawn on with a regular felt tipped pen. I was hoping that when I fused it that it would become protected from the wax. But it still comes off with water even after fusing and I am too chicken to put a layer of medium over it for fear that it will ruin the drawing. I really should've done a transfer but I got that image in my head and wanted it on the wax immediately. I can always fix it later.

And those are apple seeds embedded in the wax. You can also see a leaf from one of the trees in my yard and I honestly cannot remember the name of the tree.

I have found myself increasingly captivated by the textures produced by the wax. Layer by layer building up colors and depth. It reminds me of working with jewelry in a way. There is so much hidden detail in the tiniest little places. I keep thinking that I need to work larger but it's the small spaces that I obsess over. Adding little gems of color and visual details packed into little corners.

I'm sure it probably looks like a mess to you but I love that old worn layered look. Knowing that there's more beneath the surface.

Alpacas!

 

The art department at our school district received a grant this year to experience fiber art at it's best! We went to the Waldron Alpaca Farm in a nearby town where the students learned all about making felted wool tapestries.

 First we got to meet the alpacas. They are so cute! The photos really do not do them justice. They have such personality...and bangs. Such awesome bangs.

My students were completely smitten. It's hard to tell who's looking at who.

 After learning about the alpacas we all got to make our own felted wool tapestries. Susan Waldron who owns the farm sheers the alpacas every spring, cleans the wool and dyes it all herself to use in her own fiber art. She has piles of the softest wool in an amazing array of colors She makes gorgeous colorful tapestries and even some beautiful ponchos and jackets.

The wool we used started off all soft and fluffy.We used a barbed needle to poke through the wool so it would stay attached to the felt backing. 

 So here are my very first attempts at felting. The koi fish is small at about 8x10. All the students made one in preparation for the big 16x20 project.

My robin tapestry isn't quite finished yet. I need some more berries but over all not too shabby for a brand new medium. All the students created such wonderful artwork and it was a great experience for all of them. I know they were all exhausted by the end of the day because most of them napped on the bus ride home!

Thanks so much Susan!