In My Studio!

These are my friends and "students" who helped me christen the Playhouse Studio for my first adventure into teaching hot palette encaustic on my home turf. Gosh it was wonderful having access to my printer, computer, and adequate electricity for all the hot plates and heat guns. I wish now that I'd taken photos of the food everyone contributed; I only asked that each person bring a sack lunch but everyone showed up with food to share including me so we had lots of snacking throughout the weekend - mostly me nibbling at everything. Back row left to right: Barbara, Melinda, Jenny. Bottom: myself and Ruth.

On the second day we got into the wet technique of painting with dry pigments and wax medium. Each painting produced was gorgeous. The one above was painted by Barbara - don't you love it?

Melinda painted this one above. It is quite different than the faces she has painted in the past and I think it is beautiful too. Such a tender expression around the mouth.

Ruth is an accomplished artist and the face above is the one she painted. Beautiful texture, skin tones, everything. I was gleeful at her results and not surprised. I threatened to take credit for teaching her "everything she knows" lol. She was a joy to have and kept us laughing for 2 days.

Jenny's face above just kills me. Incredible use of color, expression, wax technique, the whole enchilada. That lime and pink satisfies a deep craving I have. I told her that she is a wonderful colorist but in truth she can take her work in any direction she chooses.

Ruth and Jenny.

My behind and Barbara. (thank you Melinda for taking many of these photos)

This is the sample board I used to demo a series of techniques. Sometimes I like my demo boards better than my paintings.

And lastly a board that I fiddled with while everyone else worked hard on their projects.

I am going to continue teaching 2-day hot palette encaustic classes in my home studio next year. By accepting only 4 students at a time it really is like a little party where we all get to know and enjoy a personal relationship and there is an adequate and affordable motel just blocks away where people who travel in can stay. I have a waiting list now for the first few months of 2011 but once I get organized I'll put up a list of dates that you can sign up for. I'm so happily excited about this new direction. I just love to share my enthusiasm and love of creating with others.

Okay, I'll try to come down to earth now. But really. These guys got me inspired. xo