"Entry" ( encaustic)

"Entry" , 8x10",  is a good example of  "wax doing it's own thing". I use oil paints to create the images and colors after priming the board with beeswax mixed with damar.  I love giving up the control and patiently waiting to see what will happen within the layers of wax. Mixing oil paints with wax is sensitive because the linseed oil will keep the wax from hardening. You must dry out the oil on a paper towel to drain out the oil over night before using it on the wax. I have done encaustics on paper and canvas,  but prefer using it on a cradle board for security.  I will continue to learn and practice this wonderful process. This is at "The Little Gallery", Smith Mountain Lake. Priced at $90.

"Red Rock Canyon" (encaustic)

"Red Rock Canyon" is a good example of how the Southwestern landscape does influence how I express myself in my artwork. I have fun watching the wax flow and then painting on the wax once it cools. I am leaning towards abstraction of realistic images in my imagination. I have lots of photos but most images that show up in my art work are in my head, rather than photos.

"Copper Canyon" (encaustic)

With "Copper Canyon", I wanted to see what it would look like to layer in some pieces of copper in what looked like a canyon. The wax again does it's thing and I try and make something of it. This painting sold at the "The Little Gallery", Smith Mountain Lake.

"Arches" ( encaustic)

"Arches" National Park in Utah is one of our favorite places to hike and watch our daughter and son-in- law rock climb. Actually the wax on this painting went it's own way and created this beautiful design that reminded me of the place we love. "The Little Gallery" at Smith Mountain Lake has this painting on a 12x12" cradle board  priced at $120.

"Passion" (encaustic)

"Passion", 16x20",  was one of my first encaustics. My method of encaustics is a little different from some of the other artists,  in that I sometimes mix in some oil paint  to create color between the wax layers. I leave some oil paint on a paper towel overnight to allow the oils to seep out before using them with wax. I always use proper ventilation and practice safety with temperatures.  I also enjoy the traditional  colored encaustic wax. This framed cradle board is $215.

"Window Shopping"

"Window Shopping" in Vegas was a fun series to work on in watercolors. Our last visit to Las Vegas was over Thanksgiving break.  We had fun with the grandchildren while our daughter and son in law went rock climbing at Red Rock Canyon. Ceasar's Palace has a great indoor shopping area where the kids could have fun with the fish tanks while I window shopped. The paintings were part of the Bedford Memorial Hospital "Healing Arts". One of the series sold at 2nd. Helpings Gallery in Roanoke.

"Sailing in Maine"

"Sailing in Maine" was an experiment with new techniques with my watercolors. This is "WaterColor Batik" done on rice paper. In between applications of watercolor and wax, it was crushed in a ball, then ironed with my iron. I don't like having things that aren't being used and was thrilled to find a use for my iron. This sailboat was seen on one of our trips to Maine. Novia Scotia was our destination, but we love the coast of Maine.

"Big Sur"

"Big Sur" is Rt. 1, south of  Carmel and Monterey, California. This watercolor is an expression of my feelings of love of the area. We have traveled this coastline several times through the years, most recently to celebrate our 50th. year together. This is one of my favorite places on earth. This painting sold at 2nd. Helpings Gallery recently.

"Day Dreams"

This previously posted Encaustic painting was given a blue ribbon at the Bald Knob Best Pick Art Show this week. The show is at the Westlake Library in Hardy, Va. throughout this month. I am encouraged to try more with this art form, which can be very challenging.

"Someplace Somewhere"

This oil painting was a fun exercise in playing with the colors and design of abstraction. It can be seen at the "Grainery" on main street, Rocky Mount, Va.

"Make a Wish"

This watercolor of a white horse sold yesterday at the Reynold' Homestead Art Show. It is nice when you are paid the ultimate compliment on your paintings.

" Riden Hard..."

Dave and I happened upon a wonderful little community in New Mexico, called Arroyo Seco. This area is packed full of art and pottery and is on the "High Road to Taos", coming up from Santa Fe. This wonderful truck sets in a general store parking lot and is still driven each day. I couldn't think of a name for this small watercolor, but the words "Driven Hard and Put up Dirty" came to  mine. This painting now belongs to my good friend, Paul.

Day Dreamer

I have painted several cows before but I especially like this oil painting of a local cow who comes up to the fence when I stop the car. I feel like I should feed her something, but then, I think she is just being social. She gave me permission to publish her painting.

Serenity

This is one of the paintings I did with acrylics, which was in the "More Than A Mountain" art show in Bedford, Va. last fall. I was trying to practice shapes and color in a different format than I usually paint. I really like to let the paints run naturally and use the acrylics more like watercolors.

Unconditional

My daughter, Kristin and her family,live on a horse ranch in Pagosa Springs, CO. Her mother-in-law, Lucile, took this photo for me, knowing how much I love horses. I have painted and sold some horses before, but this watercolor is more abstract than the others.

Universal Love

This was my first attempt of a portrait in oils. The photo was given to me by one of my son's friends who allowed me to use it for a painting. I love the feeling of peace that I tried to capture with the painting. My artist friend, Sue, sat by my side as I learned and fell in love with oil paints. 

"Window Shopping in Santa Fe"

My favorite places include Santa Fe and Toas, New Mexico. When we visit our grandchildren in Pagosa Springs CO, we allow extra time to go window shopping and to visit galleries in this area. Most of my inspiration for artwork comes from these trips, which we manage to do a couple of times a year or so. The inspiration for my new series of artwork is titiled  "Window Shopping". This painting is the first of the series.

Encaustics

My most recent art class was with Patricia Seggebruch on Encaustics.  According to Patricia's book, "Encaustic Workshop" the ancient beginnings are traced back to Trojan ships which were sealed with pigmented wax, as a means to waterproof, decorate, and personalize. This exciting medium allows me to experment with my oils and  pastels in a way that brings me great pleasure. My first exposure to encaustics was in Santa Fe and Toas, NM several years ago. Since then, I have searched for an instructor. I was excited to finally hook up with the encaustics "Pro", Patricia Seggebruch in NC in November's "Art of the Carolinas". The look of and feel of painting in and on a waxed surface is awsome. Each layer of the painting is fused with hot wax to seal in the underpaintings until the desired effect is completed.