Virginia Vacation

We just got back from visiting family in rural Virginia, where the scenery is amazing. One of my favorite things to do there is to just drive around the countryside, taking photos of old buildings, barns, and of course the beautiful Shenandoah mountains.

Since my photography skills are somewhat lacking, I like to tweak the images I take in Photoshop, removing phone poles, signs, and cars, then I add painterly effects digitally.

New Encaustic Fossil Series

This week I have started a new encaustic fossil series incorporating imagery on a wood panel, encaustic medium, and oil sticks.

I recently bought some R & F pigment sticks, and they are by far the best oil sticks I have used.

I am using images manipulated in Photoshop, then printed and glued to a gessoed wood panel. Then I apply encaustic medium, fuse and then apply the oil sticks. By layering the oil sticks and wax, the painting becomes quite luminous.

I really enjoy working with these new oil sticks, and in this new more pastel color palette. I am going to let these dry for a couple of days, then see if more layers of color and wax are needed.

All Dolls Are Art Conference

Well, I finally got some pictures of the things I made in my classes at ADAA. I took Lisa Renner's classes on "Reliquary Doll" and "Bird Peeps", and I just love my little creations.

Lisa is a very good friend of mine, and is extraordinarily talented. She is also one of the best teachers out there. No one, and I really mean no one else puts as much time and effort into all the class handouts and class kits.

The conference is the very first for this group, and I thought it was well organized with lots of class choices. I was glad to see some mixed media classes offered, as I do not sew at all.

Aladdin's Genies

I have been working on a group of dolls I am calling "Aladdin's Genies", since they all originate with a glass bottle. I am enjoying playing around with them, and seeing all their different personalities. They are made of glass bottles, polymer clay, inks, chalks, paint, wire and fibers. I hope you enjoy them.

I also attended an art doll conference; All Dolls Are Art, which was fabulous. I will be posting pictures at a later date.

Ancient Luminous Art Dolls

I haven't had much time lately for any type of art, but this weekend I got a chance to be in the studio. I wanted to make a couple of dolls using some glass bottles, polymer clay, and other embellishments, and came up with this couple.

I hope everyone out there has a wonderful Mother's Day.

Ancient Luminous Puzzle Beads

I was recently thrilled to learn that I was featured on Polymer Clay Daily for my new clay beads! I have been working diligently on refining the process to these beads, and having a lot of fun in the process.

I have not made jewelry in over 2 years, so this is a refreshing diversion for me. I will most likely be obsessed with this new technique for a while before returning to my encaustic work, but isn't that what creating art is all about?

Teaching Art

I have a friend whose daughter is an art teacher, and during our recent bad weather has now opened an etsy shop for her designs. She is making really cute signs for kids, family and holidays, so please check out Lori Martin Designs.

New Year, New Art Projects

Wow! It has been a long time since I have had time to do any art!

I tore a tendon in my elbow, and have not been able to use my dominant hand, so no art. Plus with the holidays, it gets fairly busy at our house.

I am taking a little break from Encaustics right now. I am working on some new beads, and made a necklace with some of them. I am taking a bracelet class from my friend Lisa in March, and wanted to have some beads ready before class.

It does not show in the pictures well, but these beads are very luminous. They have a matte finish, but can be polished as well. I prefer a matte finish, so I left them alone.