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Lately, I am experiencing a bit of imposter syndrome. It is so easy to fall into a self critical slump, but as I was flipping through photos for this post I started to think I can slump, I need to keep going. I’m sure some of you can relate – my advice then is to take lots of pictures of your work as it unfolds so you can look back and see that you too just need to keep on creating!  Or on the other hand as the art critic Jerry Saltz would say Finish the damn thing, you big baby. It will never be perfect.

Over the summer in an effort to better concentrate on my work, I immersed myself in workshops with a few artists I admire – Jane Monteith, Nicholas Wilton, and Louise Fletcher. * They’re great mentors and teachers!

Moving forward, I plan to keep practicing the new techniques I’ve learned about (love it). In addition to incorporating them into my work I will be creating new workshop content and expand it all into new market areas. Below are my works in progress – basically studies / tests. But hey one has to start somewhere. I hope they tickle your creativity and you’ll want to join me in a workshop.

Collage Papers and Resin

It was so much fun creating these collage papers with Jane Monteith in her Mixed Media Master Class and then arranging them into a classic rock pile (or feet lol) on a panel board. Every trick in the book was used to create these papers: alcohol ink, crackle, gel plate, masking fluid. . . I’m sure forgetting something. The blank paper used was canvas sheets, watercolor, and Yupo. Finished with Art Resin. What a fun process that makes it easy to get into the flow both figuratively and literally.

Cyanotype – Photographic Printing

I have a long way to go with this process. Love it though. Especially since I can get some exercise and vitamin D while I collect flora a fauna to print – can’t think of a better way to spend some time outside. I used to do cyanotypes with my sons when they were in elementary school and was happily reintroduced to the amazing process with Jane Monteith. I haven’t even begun to delve into the techniques, tips, and tricks  she has taught me. Looking forward to exploring more tinting techniques.  Collected some Fall leaves today and I hear that this weekend will be a bright and sunny fall day that’s perfect for making some UV prints.

 

Textures

Love, love, love texture!

I’m continuing to work on my Breadcrumbs and Spark book journal that I started in Nicholas Wilton’s Art2Life workshop. It is filled with texture, shapes, and color. Finally got to put to the test a Golden gel medium sample kit I’ve had hanging around. I didn’t create the painting below for my Spark book since it is on a panel board (and finished with cold wax). I’ve discovered that I don’t really like working on canvas, as much as I like the firmness of a wood. substrate. In any case, I plan on using these materials in my Spark book soon.

I could easily get addicted to the textures, especially the pumice gel. Experimenting with different brands of crackle that I learned about with Jane Monteith. The crackle products all have different properties, go figure, basically it depends on what size “cracks” you want. Try not to fall into the crevices – sounds like a joke, but the lines formed by the crackle are just so interesting!

*Jane Monteith, The Artist Entrepreneur; Nicholas Wilton Art2Life; Louise Fletcher Find Your Joy.

Art supplies can be expensive. There are times when our budgets do not permit us to buy more materials and there are times when we want to be in the process zone – when we are so immersed in what we are doing, exploring – yet being true to the process, that we want to do everything from the ground up – work from scratch.  Like when we want cake on a rainy day and don’t have a mix and don’t feel like going to get one, so we decide to go homemade with whatever is in our pantry while still following basic baking rules. With this thought in mind I’ve put together some alternatives for materials that are used when making marks in cold wax and oil paint. I will add to this as I find more sources.

The most important thing for a creative is to not procrastinate; especially when they don’t have a tool or material. Jump in with whatever you have. Relax and have fun! You will most likely surprise yourself with how innovative you can be!

Cold Wax Alternative Materials pdf.

Cold wax painting is a sculptural painting technique that uses cold
wax medium with oil paint. We will approach it as an abstract and
experimental painting method, but this method can also be used in
representational and other painting applications.

The cold wax medium thickens the paint and creates a texture,
transparency, and visual depth that is like encaustic painting, but
without the use of heat. It is a brushless technique; marks can be
made with whatever strikes your fancy.

Here is the supply list for the cold wax workshop sponsored by the Franklin Public Library on February 6, 2022 at 4 PM on zoom.

Here is the supply list for the cold wax workshop sponsored by the Wrentham Cultural Council on November 14th at 4 PM on Zoom.