Category Archives: dominoes

Blizz

It started snowing at 9:00 AM and now, at 5:00 PM we have already had what I think is eighteen inches of snow.  It has been relentless, but, no biggie, because we all knew it was coming.

So happy that my art studio is in my house because I’ve been working all day.  I added to the crown paintings – they are almost done.

Before I did that, I heated up the beeswax-filled crockpot then placed three coats of wax on 6″ x 8″ Ampersand hardboards and then traced the tree stencils onto them.

There are twenty-four boards and each will have a different tree design.  They are fresh and modern, and fun!  I’m excited.  I am an avid hiker.  I finally realized that trees should be an important part of my encaustic iconography.  Today was the day!

In fact, I had a realization about my artwork that I will share with you soon.  My series of crowns, horses, fans, bungalows, hearts, targets and now trees are all connected and I hope that they can all be shared together in one (or more) large gallery in the near future.

The overlap is a bit out of control focus-wise because, let’s face it, we are all attracted to the new thing, the latest thing.  I don’t want to rush the conclusion of these crowns.  I may have rushed adding collage materials today – I will allow the experience to digest and look at the work again with a fresh perspective later tonight or tomorrow.

I am loving my productivity though. I think I am an Existentialist and this is my purpose.  A vocation rather than a business.  I trust that the business and financial element will follow because I have already secured so many shows for 2026.

In that realm, next up is the Art Haus group show with a drop off in late February and the reception scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.  I will be at the East Syracuse Free Library during May and June 2026, the Fayetteville Free Library in July 2026, the Hazard Branch Library in August 2026 and the drop off for another group exhibition in mid August at the Edgewood Gallery.  That show will be up through October 3, 2026.

Arcadia 2

Karen Tashkovski, EVERYTHING, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, UTOPIA, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, SPINNING, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)

Just completed another two dozen paintings.  This series is called Arcadia 2.  They are 5″ x 7″ encaustic & collage paintings mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard and placed on table easels.

Karen Tashkovski, PROMISE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, THE BEST MOMENT, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)

I purchased new encaustic paint in vibrant colors and experimented with adding them to my muted color palette.  I am loving this experiment.

Karen Tashkovski, RELEASE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, ENTRANCE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, HOLLYWOOD, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, ILLUMINATION, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, MEXICO, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, BLISSFULLY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, WARMTH, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, TRAILS, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, FLORIDA, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, LOTUS LAND, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, DREAMLAND, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, ENCHANTMENT, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, SHANGRI-LA, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, WONDERLAND, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, VISUALIZATION, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, EUPHORIA, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, JEWELS, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, JOY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, FIRST OF ALL, 2025, encaustic & collage, 5″ x 7″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard (with stand)

The Aphrodisiac

“$ EVER”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“LUXE”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“FIND”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″

I created this series of twenty-four paintings, Talisman, in 2008. It is a love story: layered, filled with treasure, sparkle within dust, games and prizes, secrets and lies.

I experimented with varnish for the first time. Experimented with the permanence as well. The chalk was meant to fade with the years. It’s been thirteen years now and I admire the patina of these old friends. Yesterday I did an internet search for a solution to save that dust from settling further and the win-win came in the form of Pantene hair spray, believe it or not. So now, these paintings are fixed in time.

And the funny thing is, upon reflection, they bring me back to a place where I thought I had nothing, but in fact, I had it all. All the answers to all of my questions. I just did not know it then, which made life seem so confusing.

This game of life is a puzzle but if you take the time to look, listen and feel with your heart, you will resonate with all of it.

“CHARM”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“MAGIC”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″

The paintings are 18″ x 24″. Oil paint and chalkboard paint. Found objects, games pieces, fabric.

They work best on a wall in multiples. That’s usually the way it goes with my artwork. If you like it, you really can’t get enough and you just want more.

They hold the narrative and that is a powerful aphrodisiac. <3

“TIC TOK”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“SHADOW”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“SHIELD”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“THYME”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“COIN”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“DOMINO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“PRIZE”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“SECRET”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“LUCK”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“XOXO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“LIBERTY”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“PRESTO”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“HEART”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“NINE GIFTS”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“VOW”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“PERFECT FIT”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“WIN-WIN”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″
“CREST”, 2008, mixed-media, 18″ x 24″

Domino Effect

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Dominoes have become my bread and butter –  I have been collecting them for many years, using them in my oil and collage paintings since the ’90s.  I think they look amazing in these bracelets.

The idea is to create a domino effect.  You pick numbers that have meaning for you.  You run into others wearing domino bracelets.  You find you have a number/numbers in common.  You strike up a conversation.  Friendships are born.

It is an idea, a dream, a deep wish, a desire that people can find an element of common ground through fashion and accessories, if that is the way.  There are no coincidences.

They are priced at $20 or $25 depending on style.  I love the vintage flavor to these pieces.  That they have survived for so many years and have such delicious patina.  And the smell of leather is intoxicating.  <3

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