Acrylic Encaustic

acrylic, fabric collage and paper collage, 10'x10' , cradled clayboard panel, acrylic beeswax....color mixed with jar of soft gel (matte) with the addition of raw umber + glazing liquid rubbed in as to create a patina. Good to add these new materials to my studio. My pulmonary problems and lack of a place for good ventilation has ended my encaustic work so this is my second best effort..not bad results but of course, no sweet intoxicating scent of true beeswax. The photo turned out brighter than the actual piece but I posted it anyway. The little birds are my ongoing subject as I watch them with their own brand of communication. I see the little brown bird turn away from the others' gaze...saying: "I don't like you" or "try a little harder, I think I like you"...not for me to know but I still enjoy the show!

Home from the big family wedding. Took almost no photos and will wait for a copy of more professional shots. Everything about the wedding reflected the ideas and style of the bride and groom...well done indeed! Families showed up from Boston, Florida, Colorado and Santa Cruz...nice to connect with everyone and also to watch the next generation step into their married lives and also creating new families. The wedding was at a winery and yes, everyone was in the mood to party and celebrate...good fun!

Putting on the Ritz...

...Ritz Carlton that is! Sunday Pablo and I cleaned up a little (I wore my new gladiator sandals to see how they hold up) and we drove 50 miles up the coast to this beautiful hotel and golf course. We went in the late afternoon for drinks and light food, sitting in the sunny conservatory lounge. There we looked out on a spectacular view and I became a country bumpkin...couldn't stop taking in all the people watching beginning with the wealthy golf club couples having drinks, the Asian-Indian families (From the Silicone Valley) enjoying a birthday, young couples with children and Pablo and me. The service was perfect and the grilled vegetable sandwich and presentation a delight. After drinks and a bite we both were served a carafe of coffee each and we were told to relax and enjoy...we did! The drive home was special as well...the sun setting behind us...the beaches thinning out to a perfect summer day ending! My sandals pinched a little on the toes but will be generally comfortable for the family wedding this Saturday...a great dry run!

Re-post "Birdsong"

I have been interested in all the delightful "Buried Treasures" that have turned up in Blogland. This is an idea from Seth Apter of The Altered Page and it is great to see earlier posts of so many artists that I regularly follow.

I chose a post from early July 2008. The interesting part of my choice is that my heart has stayed close over the years to favorite images and metaphors. Trying not to be a broken record but rather express myself with similar images in new and different ways....enjoy!

Birdsong

"A garden complete with tile, palm tree, windows and a singing duet. A place to stop, pure pleasure, soft morning light or afternoon breeze...a place to come back to, yard, patio, home. The song is also simple, not looking forward or back but timeless serenade. This is the beginning and ending this is the call, this is the sanctuary of needed rest, available heart, available song."

"Writing is a big part of my art making. It leads me to the imagery and sometimes defines the images. I'm in a place in my life where I still love painting but I'm no longer as interested in building a career. I have kept a journal well over 25 years...almost daily writing. It has served as my true sanctuary, my mentor and my learning tool. I wrote the above piece shortly after gluing down the two yellow birds." It gives me joy.

This week I continue with the images of birds and using new Golden materials. In the studio I'm stirring up some 'clear tar gel' to pour and sprinkle...it's a challenge for sure!

Heat has finally arrived at the beach. Regularly floating in the pool late afternoons...! I keep reminding myself I can do that...I can lighten my workload...quit early and go to the pool. Pablo is knee deep in his writing and is also talking himself into some play time...! He swims and I float!