January has brought with it a desire to retreat somewhat from the blog. There are so many things right now vying for my time. Slower than some, I have finally gotten around to thinking about how I want 2011 to shape up. Specifically, I want to spend more time in my own studio, on my personal search with wax. I will check in here but maybe not quite so often. I want to paint all the time I can now.
I'm loving being a homebody as well, teaching to very small classes of like minded others in my little studio where I have access to everything. Sharing. Exploring. All of us learning together. This weekend I hosted Meri Arnett-Kremian, Kathy Sandler, Tangie Belmore and Paula McNamee. We made good energy.
We spent two days in the wax. We shared food and encouragement. We laughed and relaxed and agreed that it was the perfect way to spend a rainy Portland winter weekend.
We painted faces from dry pigment and wax medium.
Made grids and tried various approaches.
Learned how to transfer on wax, build texture, embed and carve.
These were all done by the students in class.
We learned how to make our own color blocks of wax.
How to make wax medium with resin and beeswax.
And how to make that medium safely. I'm all about safety.
Where to buy supplies at the most reasonable prices.
How to ventilate our work area.
How to make color mixtures with oil paint, chalk pastel, dry pigments and more.
How to use the torch and what kind of torch to buy.
How to use the heat gun and when to use a torch with a larger flame.
I love to teach. I love to pass on everything I know and to see the happiness it brings to others.
Just read Cutting For Stone this week and copied this beautiful quotation into my journal. I recommend the book. A great lesson in how our every action has repercussions that ripple out and back to us.
I feel again the great wheel of change creaking and groaning as my priorities shift. I will be teaching less at the national retreats. This will likely be my last year to travel very far to teach. Home. That's where I want to focus my energies after several years of travel and outreach.
Be very well and take care of each other. xo
what wonderful work and l can see how much you enjoy teaching the wax classes. if l was near you l would be there too Judy. i can understand why you want to me in your studio more and paint. As l am unable to go to a wax class...can you suggest a book or ecourse Judy?xlynda
ReplyDeleteJudy, what wonderful work and very best wishes for your personal quest, just let us have a peek every now and again, please.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate your wanting to stay close to home to teach. Am glad you still get so much joy from doing it. Satisfaction. Your students are all so talented, as are you.
ReplyDeleteI notice more and more people blogging less and less often. I still want to post for my own diary of what I am doing (as I self publish the books of my blog to keep); but I too find myself having less time to look at everything from everyone...
I hope you won't give yours up for good as I come here for inspiration and always leave satisfied.
These some beautiful works. You are obviously a great teacher. Enjoy your time back home and in the studio. I can't wait to see what you create.
ReplyDeleteHey I know Meri! Well sort of, I know her blog. :)
ReplyDeleteseeing your smiling face in that photo made me smile.
i love all these grids.
home is a good place to be. I was thinking that today while I was taking care of my little monkeys.
some beautiful work by your students! I will be taking my very first Encaustic Workshop this weekend(close to home) and am looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteAwesome student work! It brings a smile to my face remembering the joy of sharing friendship and inspiration in your studio. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to spend a lot more time painting now that I've cut back to part time.
Sending lots of love your way Judy♥
~Jenny
ps: you were so right about Misty, she is an amazing teacher! I'm loving her class!
You always teach me something, with your blogposts. Stay well Judy!
ReplyDeleteThe energy is certainly buzzing in your studio, why not be wrapped in it's electricity. Wonderful work from all that you showed there. Home is where we are most ourselves after all. xox Corrine
ReplyDeleteremind me what we're pretending to be again? fab faces
ReplyDeleteLynda, stay tuned. I'm likely to do a wax e-course later this year.
ReplyDeleteI will be your first student! When is or is it alrady out..your plaster bk? xsuch a busy lady. lynda
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work that keeps me inspired to keep playing with my wax. Fewer postings will make those you do extra special...surprise gifts...Looking forward to details on your e-course since I can't make it to any of your studio classes.
ReplyDeleteReally great work. A couple of those will stick in my head. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewow, do these classes look like fun and the art work is fabulous! judy i sure hope our paths cross again!
ReplyDeletelove you, judy!
xo and smiles~ jill
What a tremendous quote about life and death! Sensational. Love all the work your students are doing. Yes, paint, Judy, paint!
ReplyDeleteWhat winderul work you all made again - I do so love your journals though and hope to see the odd peak - they DO so inspire
ReplyDeleteLOVE the grids. How much fun!!
ReplyDeleteDang! I'm jealous.
ReplyDeletewish I could take a class!
Maybe next summer of fall?
I will very much miss checking out your latest creations and thoughts, but you gotta do what you gotta do!
ReplyDeleteMany blessings to you!
i am wondering how many times i can write the word BEAUTIFUL in this little box! lovely creations, sweet girl! you are the second person in a very short time to recommend this book. i picked it up in the book store yesterday but put it back because it is so big. normally, that's not an issue but right now i don't think i can tackle it. definitely on my list though! xoxo!
ReplyDeleteNow I am really glad I signed up for Malibu! Lovely post as usual.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are right where you are supposed to be. Although I just found your blog and am enjoying every post, I have decided that I will take the time each week to look back on your old posts, I am sure they will keep me inspired! Create, create, create...I need to get there!
ReplyDeleteBlessings on you!
Connie
Oh such lovely, lovely work! Home is wonderful! It is amazing you can be home and teach! I AM going to come and learn from you!!! Lovely works!
ReplyDeleteJust Wonderful! I'm in Seattle and would drive down in a heartbeat. Will you be posting your in-studio classes on FB and here?
ReplyDelete“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”
Jane Austen
Hi, Judy;
ReplyDeleteI think I know how you feel. I'm passionately involved in my journal right now, and haven't blogged in a long time. All the best to you and your journey for this year! I look forward to some day being in portland and being a student!
These pieces are exquisite! What variety and loveliness!
Whenever I read about your classes, I am overcome with, well, lust for lack of a betterr word. I want to learn all those things about encaustic in a hands-on environment.
ReplyDeleteJudy, keep doing what you're doing the way you need to. Yes, we'll miss you in blogland but we also can't wait to see where this journey takes you.