I added the paper collage element to a dazen more 12″ x 12″ paintings in my The Robes series. Next up – encaustic paint. They should be done by next week.
All posts by Karen Tashkovski
Oct-Lover-Fest
Here are the new heart paintings as promised. They are 5″ x 7″ encaustic & collage paintings on Ampersand hardboard mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard and framed. There are fifteen in this batch.
Tiny Jack-O-Lanterns @ GL
Emilia and Jacob drew the faces on these little golf balls turned pumpkin sculptures.
Find them on the trail around Green Lakes! There are eighteen of them.
Heart Weekend
I will be exhibiting my newest encaustic heart paintings at the Fayetteville Free Library during the month of February 2027.
There are twenty-four paintings in this series but I decided that I needed to create a dozen more in order to properly fill the space. The supplies arrived yesterday. I started working on them today.
They are 5″ x 7″ encaustic & collage hardboards that will be mounted onto 9″ x 12″ chalkboards. I started by layering four coats of damar resin infused beeswax onto the boards then carving out the design.
I added the origami and mulberry papers today too. I’ll begin the painting element tomorrow (update; above).. Then paint the 9″ x 12″ boards with black chalkboard paint. I still need to purchase the frames so that they will match the finished paintings.
I love when a plan comes together!
The Member
My painting, Apple, will be displayed as part of the member’s exhibition at Baltimore Woods Nature Center next month.
It is from my encaustic trees series.
The show starts November 3, 2026 and ends December 18, 2026 with a reception on November 7, 2026 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM.
Smalls
My painting, Jaune, was selected for exhibition at Main Street Arts, 20 West Main Street, Clifton, Springs, NY 14432. The juried show begins November 7, 2026 with an opening reception from 3:00 – 6:00 PM, and ends on December 23, 2026.
My painting is 12″ x 12″, which is the largest size allowed for this Small Works show. There will be over two hundred artists represented at the event – my guess is it will be hung salon style.
Jaune is named for Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. I used to do an 8th grade art lesson about her using her horse paintings, hence the addition of the horseshoe. And the yellow background is to do with jaune being the word for yellow in French.
Jaune is from my collection called The Robes. There are six dozen different paintings in this series. I am working on connecting with the perfect gallery to display the collection in its entirety. Meanwhile, I’m planning to create at least a dozen more – I just don’t feel like I’ve exhausted the concept yet. I just love them soooo much!
Found Money 2026 (Episode 12)
I found eleven cents today! Two different locations! I am now up to $1.56 in found money 2026.
Lucie Wellner
Lucie Wellner’s new collection of stunning watercolors is currently on display and for sale at Baltimore Woods Nature Center. The genius of this artist is her ability to partner with a printer who has manufactured beautifully accurate prints and notecards of these paintings and others and they are available for sale in addition to the originals!
The exhibition is titled “Where We Stop and Nature Begins”. The watercolors depict figures frolicking in nature and among flowers. The renderings are Mary Cassatt proficient. The color saturation and glazing effects are exquisite! You must see them in person.
The great thing about Baltimore Woods Nature Center (4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY) – your visit to the art gallery and gift shop can also include a wonderful walk on their well manicured hiking trails. It is a great family destination and it is all free. See their website for ways to support their mission here.
Lucie Wellner‘s watercolors and other merchandise will be available to view and purchase through October 30, 2026.
Hours of operation: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Art & Golf Balls
I am preparing an art activity, which involves golf balls, for my pretend grandchildren.
I have been hiking in an area that is rife with wayward golf balls. I was gifted as many as two dozen of them recently by the weed-whacking groundskeeper and the rest I found on the other side of the street relatively far from the actual golf course.
The children are my friend Elaine’s actual grandchildren and they will be visiting me next month. They all live in Florida and are looking forward to experiencing a New York autumn. I think it will be the first time for the littles.
I’m painting the golf balls now and they will help me finesse them into ladybugs, jack-o-lanterns, spiders and bumblebees for starters.
Then we plan to go for hikes and hide them in the woods for other children to find and enjoy. I am certain they will love this. They will be like little Banksys – artsy stealths. So fun!
The balls need several coats of this special acrylic paint meant for outdoor items so the prep work is…a lot. Currently, my kitchen is a mini disaster area and I am okay with that because my prototypes are better than I thought they would be. I need to hop over to the craft store tomorrow to pick up a few supplies. I mean – who has a stockpile of black pipe cleaners handy?
