IEA Retreat

This will be a short check in. I just returned from 4 days at the International Encaustic Artists' Retreat last evening. I was unfocused and tired much of the time at the retreat but woke up today clear-headed and wishing I'd shot more photos for you. It was a successful retreat and I learned a lot.

Encaustic is so broad and there is so much you can do with wax that there is no end to the new discoveries. And the shopping is fun too; lots of lovely colors and tools to collect. 

There was a beautiful gallery show titled "Encaustic Masters" and that's my piece on the wall. The opening was a solid crush of people; it was great fun.

On the home front John worked hard getting the harvest in ahead of the rains. The garage is full of produce while my car sits outdoors. Here are just a few pictures; it's too dark in there to get very good ones.

John's pride and joy; the Orenco gold tomato that he has kept going from a sport of a red roma. We love this tomato and he offers seeds through Seed Savers Exchange. As you can see it is thick walled and similar to the roma. It's so pretty in salsa fresca with red tomatoes, cilantro, and green chilis. 

Along with everything else we have a new septic tank now. Nothing like a little noise and mayhem to rattle your nerves. 

Beans.

Onion seed heads.

These are Magnum Orange Habaneros. They're hot.

These are called Tiger Teeth and originated in the Caribbean. 155,000 Scoville units.

This is Aji Limon hot pepper from Peru.

This is the Mayan Red, another habanero.

Some Orenco Gold tomatoes.

Some of the corn that will be ground up for polenta.

Gotta go now. Stuff's happening!! Art and Soul this weekend; I'm teaching 2 days. See some of you there. I WILL take photos for you.