I've been playing in the wax again. This weekend in Lake Oswego we are having a big encaustic celebration. You can read about it here. Our local International Encaustic Artists Group has worked hard to put this show together and I am excited to see it. I've been out of the loop for awhile; missing the meetings due to first my teaching schedule and then my surgeries so I missed getting anything in the show. But hey, I have this place to show and tell so there you are.
Here is where the magic happens. Pigments and brushes and wax; oh my!
I'm not showing the entire paintings right now. I want to get a good hand full of them and then offer them for sale here as a little experiment. I've been too tired after teaching to sign up for a table at the retreats. And I could send them to the galleries. But this is an idea I've been toying with for awhile.
We got up to 82 degrees yesterday. It was such a joy to have the window open, the exhaust fan humming, the studio perfumed with the fragrance of beeswax. I am talking better now and getting used to the new feelings around the surgery sites. I am loving life again and allowing myself to believe that I will go on with vigor.
On Father's Day we went for a hike and it was cool and misting which is why I am wearing 2 coats. It was fun.
And afterward we had a little seafood at a great restaurant in Hubbard called Mariscos Morales. Highly recommended.
What I have learned recently: the human body is the most amazing organism. It adjusts and heals in ways that are nothing short of miraculous. It wants to be well.
The other thing I have finally grasped is that as artists we are forever in a state of uncomfortable growth. Just as we reach one level, the one we thought would make us happy forever, we find that we've already sensed a higher level, a larger challenge that we cannot yet accomplish. It doesn't go away. I'm afraid we are doomed to be growing and reaching and wanting more and never finding a stopping place. What do you think of that?
35 comments:
Someday I'd love to get into Encaustic's it's something I'm very drawn to, but will have to wait until I can get myself set up with some of the basics. Thank you for sharing your 'waxy fun' with us
I think that is fantastic. Never want to get too comfortable. You look so happy in your hat and 2 coats...yummy wax, want to see your handful of paintings as you put it, they will be marvelous!
xox Corrine
Judy, you have hit the nail on the head there. Just when I think This is good, I like this I'll try and recreate the process, I'll stay here for a while - I am quickly disatisfied and unhappy, I want MORE, another stimulus, a new skill - moving up and moving on, always looking for the moment when you feel you've arrived, and of course you are right, you never will. The trick is to enjoy the journey.
I always am so happy when I see you have posted!
1. I finally tried a wax class - just beeswax and collage. I love it. I now have a melting pot and a chunk of beeswax ... oh and a crafter's iron. Just need to open the packaging and start! LOL
2. You mean to tell me, if I ever get good at ... well everything I want to be good at ... drawing, painting, designing good art pieces ... I will still feel the need to be better? That sucks. sorry. but it does
3. I want a painting of yours! Oh, my, a piece of Judy Wise in my house? Incredible.
Artists reach for the stars and beyond...
I know exactly what you are talking about :) I have been mulling the same thing over in my mind the last few days...that creative cycle that rears up and kicks us in the pants every now and then. MAKE MORE. CHANGE. DO SOMETHING NEW. WHAT IF? ;)
Judy my dear, so happy to hear you are getting weller and better every day. You are so right-whenever I get the hang of some technique or complete a project, my brain is already bored and moved ahead to the next impossible project - which eventually comes to fruition and becomes real...then the cycle starts again.
Thank you for your ever present sharing of your thoughts and experiences.
Hoping you'll be teaching your classes at Art & Soul in Portland in Oct. -My sister and I have a class together with you-so excited as she has just realized after years of saying to me, "You're the artist," (an me replying-"you are too-you just don't realize it yet) that she is in fact an artist too!
a day of awakening to enjoy with my sister and You as our guide-heaven in a bun if you ask me.
See you soon (never soon enough)
Muchos Love to you,
Dawn
Hmmmm, a good friend of mine said pretty close to those words just this morning too. If it is now coming from my Wise Artist friend, it must be true. Here's to betting from uncomfortable to comfortable and then starting over and over again...I think I can handle that as long as there is paint and friends along for the ride.
Love to hear your voice so strong, Beautiful One.
Big hugs !
lovin the wax ice cream looks good enuff 2 EAT! i tried encaustic last fall & it's harder than it looks.
I agree!
I agree with good seafood, with selling your paintings here and with the "statement" you made in the last part of this post!!!
Thank you for talking about that discontent that seems to follow us artist around. It was just good to hear a fellow artist speak it out loud. I definitely feel that way, feel like I am reaching and reaching for another goal only to get there and still feel discontent. I guess we just keep going through the cycle and look for content in the small moments... Glad to hear you are feeling better!
I think it's an awesome thing, Judy.
Thank you for reminding me of this... too often I find myself translating that hunger into anxiety and beat myself up for never being satisfied.
I try to call it "What If" or "Why Not?" instead. Feed the curiosity beast!!
About that last part...I think you're right! Boo! As artists, we always feel we have more work to finish, and we are always trying to improve things! Sometimes that is exhausting! On the good days that is exhilarating!
Glad to hear you're feeling better!
Re. growth and reaching another level:
1. bummer
2. great
That is in alphabetical order. The real life order depends on the mood.
Margaret
I know what you mean about always
reaching and wanting more. But I try not to look at it as being "doomed." More like being ever ready to grow!!
Ah yes, that uncomfortable growth place. Whatever is wrong with us!?!? Jill is right that the trick is to enjoy the journey. But you knew that, didn't you :-) I keep telling myself, breathe in, breathe out.....repeat.
I am mainly so glad you are doing better.
xoxo
it seems nice to wax!!! love the portrait
i think i am right there with you.
forever and a day.
p.s.
could anyone look more adorable in two coats?
i think not.
xoxoxoxxo,
rebecca
your layers of wax are like delicious icing on cakes....mmm
Judy, as an "artist-in-training" I wish I could reach the place of mastering something so I could become dissatisfied and want to move on. My problem is that I've dabbled in too many areas and now I need to figure out what really brings me pleasure and focus on that so I can "get to good." So glad that you are feeling well again. Looking forward to Idylwild in a couple of weeks!
yes, the human body wants to be well, it is designed to heal and it is a miraculous thing..
and I love being an artist for that very reason, new growth and challenges!! such exciting work!! xx's
I have been following your blog for some time now but have never commented. I get so inspired by your words, your art, your photos, your life! AND I am going to fly to Portland (from Wisconsin!) in Oct. to take your encaustic class. Yay! (The fact that my daughter lives there makes it a vacation...)
so glad you are loving life again! so sad I will miss the encaustic show - we are in portland for the great college search 2010, but leave today, sigh...i love portland.
Well, I am excited mostly about your healing process, as I so want to dip into wax with you in October! Selfish me!!! I want to play with Judy Wise!
I am happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think we grow everyday artfully speaking...each time we see, touch, feel, think, something we wonder about translating it with pen, paper, photo, paint, sewing machine, wax, whathaveyou!!!
Life is VERY EXCITING and WONDERFUL!
Judy Judy Judy.....I agree with you on this, just when I think I have found a happy art niche… I experiment and find something new to play with. As long as I get excited over something, I’ll continue to follow that idea until a new one appears.
I think wax would be too messy for me... since I already an naturally messy.
I love your piece here, the face is wonderful! PS: and you are looking good too!
hi judy, glad to see you're recovering! And yes, the human body is miraculous. Amazing really.
If you go to the show will you let me know how my painting looks? :) I so wish I could have gone. But this year has been pretty crazy for me and I am exhausted. Happy, but exhausted.
As an artist, I never feel fully satisfied. I think the creative urge is insatiable. hungry. desire.
but i think it must be that way. i can't imagine it being otherwise.
xo
'More' is definitely the word Judy - it keeps us growing, I never want to think I know everything I need to know.
You look radiant on your walk, so glad you're on the mend and creating again. Can't wait to see your new pieces...I can smell the beeswax from here :)
Laura
xo
Ok the first photo looks good enough to eat! Your sentiments are so true. and I just cut my finger really badly and now must wait for it to heal. It has already healed so much in 3 days - our bodies are amazing. But since I can't use my right index finger ( for 7 weeks...sigh) I am determined to make art without it - I can be creative in a new way right?
Thanks for your quote about the human body wanting to heal itself. I sent it to a friend who has been in the hospital for 10 days. It made her feel better! Love your work and your story.
There you go again, infecting everyone around you with that contagious optimism of yours. Way to go! I love you and I'm SO happy to hear that you are healing! :-)
I am sooo glad your back creating!!!! I have wanted to do some work with wax! I can't wait to see what you do!!!!
i love judy wise.
through her wellness
and unwellness
and wax paintings growing in her mind and on her work bench
and her 2 coats.
especially her 2 coats.
xo
I think you hit the nail the on head, as soon as I hit a goal, it is semmingly not enough always striving. Your wax piece did look like a big dessert.looking good sister
steph
Yummy, yummy wax. I love your encaustic work and posts. I just want to dive into the encaustic world when I see your pieces. I do hope you offer your beautiful, soulful art for sale and soon. Your paintings speak volumes and on so many levels. To echo the words of some of the other folks, you hit the nail on the head in your assessment of the artistic condition. xoxoxoxo
Judy! You look maRVELOUS!
I think it's so amazing to keep reaching further. The reach should always just exceed the grasp. Or what's a heaven for?
Thanks for sharing... I totally relate about the body healing itself... it IS amazing and
also about the moods following us around as we create.
I too love Encaustic and am trying to get back into doing it.. smaller pieces maybe.
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