Category Archives: encaustic

abstract, acrylic, art, art exhibition, art gallery, art museum, drawing, encaustic, figurative, illustration, juried exhibition, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, oil painting, painting, pattern, sculpture

Artsy In New York

Image July 26, 2021 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

Every year the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center does a Made in New York (MINY) juried exhibition. This year’s show – what can I say? A lot of eggs and phallic symbols, am I right? OMG – round circular objects with the center piece sculpture filled with actual eggs. And every other sculpture is sporting the dildo-esqueness of a you-know-what.

LOL, so great! I wonder if this was the intent, or am I being fresh?

Sixty-nine artists were selected….

Actually, the great thing about this exhibition is that artists must produce new work for it and everything looks very fresh in that sense of the word. It is all so colorful and curvy, clean, linear, firm and innocently provocative.

It’s a great show!

MINY will be on display through August 7, 2021. Check out videos of the artists sharing their respective visions here.

Jurors for this year’s exhibition:

(from the Schweinfurth website)

Sharon Louden is an artist, educator, advocate for artists, editor of the Living and Sustaining a Creative Life series of books, and the Artistic Director of the Chautauqua Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution. Louden’s work has been exhibited in numerous venues including the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the Drawing Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Weisman Art Museum, National Gallery of Art and held in major public and private collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art, National Gallery of Art, Neuberger Museum of Art, Arkansas Arts Center, Yale University Art Gallery, Weatherspoon Art Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, among others.

George Afedzi Hughes is originally from Ghana and studied painting at The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, College of Art, Kumasi, Ghana, where he earned a BA in Art: Painting and Drawing (1989) and an MA in Art Education (1991). He later received an MFA in Painting and Drawing (2001) from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, U.S.A. His paintings, performances, and installations have been featured in several museum exhibitions: Perez Museum, Royal Ontario Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, National Football Museum, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and Museum voor Zuid-en Noord-Beveland. The following museums have collections of his work: Royal Museum of Ontario, Harn Museum of Art, Iwalewahaus and the Ghana National Museum.

Hannah Frieser is the Executive Director for the Center for Photography at Woodstock, an arts organization that features exhibitions, residencies and other artist-oriented programming. With over twenty years of leadership experience in the visual arts, she has curated countless solo and group exhibitions with contemporary photographers, including Suzanne Opton, Adam Magyar and Barry Anderson. Her essays have been featured in monographs and publications, such as Contact Sheet, Exposure, and Nueva Luz. Prior to joining CPW, she was Director of Light Work in Syracuse, NY.

MINY Artists

Carolyn Abrams
Liz Alderman
Robin Arnold
Patricia Bacon
Christina Bang
Howard Bartle
Madeline Bartley
Mary Begley
Marna Bell
Tammy Renée Brackett
Paul Brandwein
Lauren Bristol
Andrea Buckvold
Susan Byrnes
Carlos Caballero-Perez
Nancy Callahan
Eva Capobianco
Stephen Carlson
Kevin Carr
Tara Charles
Sage Churchill-Foster
Fernando Colón-González
Charles Compo
Cynthia Cratsley
Carole D’Inverno
Lisa DeLoria Weinblatt
KP Devlin
Lisa Donneson
Audrey Dowling
Robert Doyle
Sharon Draghi
Leonard Eichler
John Fitzsimmons
Faithanne Flesher
John Galt
Jacq Germanow
Cora Jane Glasser
Julia Graziano
Raechelle Hajduk
Barbara Hart
Laural Hartman
David Higgins
Lee Hoag
George Hrycun
Bob Ievers
Emily Kenas
Dale Klein
Tom Kredo
Timothy Massey
Becky McNeill
Valerie Patterson
Beth Pedersen
Judith Plotner
Rose Popper
Jim Quinn
Steve Rossi
Amy Schnitzer
Catherine Shuman Miller
James Skvarch
Jason Smith
Jean K. Stephens
Susan Stuart
Jane Verostek
Kim Waale
Mary Pat Wager
Shari Werner
Katharine Wood
Hope Zaccagni
Leah Zinder

Kim Waale, Manlius, NY/Nancy Callahan, Gilbertsville, NY

The Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center is located at 205 Genesee Street, Auburn, New York 13021. For more information, including hours of operation, call (315) 255-1553 or visit their website here.

Robin Arnold, New Paltz, NY/Timothy Massey, Spencerport, NY

Catherine Shuman Miller, Williamsville, NY

Andrea Buckvold, Syracuse, NY/Patricia Bacon, Lyons, NY

#coach #tashkovski #rebeccataylor #ragandbone

#ootd, accessories, art, art for sale, bracelets, cashmere, clothing, design, encaustic, fashion, jewelry, Karen Tashkovski, leather, painting, retail, Tashionista

Colorburst

Image January 23, 2021 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

#kesnyc #tashkovski #allsaints #joesjeans #ragandbone
#kesnyc #tashkovski #saksfifthavenue #rebeccataylor #frame #rebeccaminkoff
#kesnyc #blackbrown1826 #vince #tashkovski #ragandbone
#amicale #kesnyc #theory #coach #ragandbone
#kesnyc #theory #tashkovski #360cashmere #bcbgmaxazria #marcjacobs
#amicale #kesnyc #warnerbros #anntaylor #coach #ragandbone
#kesnyc #rebeccataylor #karllagerfeldparis
#kesnyc #bcbgmaxazria #sorel
#kesnyc #joie #bcbgmaxazria #joesjeans #rebeccaminkoff

#amicale #kesnyc #theory #coach #ragandbone

Karen Tashkovski, Princess, 2017, encaustic on masonite, 8″ x 10″ (mounted on chalkboard), $111

#kesnyc #tashkovski #allsaints #joesjeans #ragandbone

Although I was in all black yesterday (above), I’m making a conscious decision to add color to my wardrobe. Color looks better in #ootd pictures. Color is just fun. I color coordinate my walk-in closet – this makes it easier to notice items bought separately and even years apart that end up looking amazing together.

#kesnyc #blackbrown1826 #vince #tashkovski #ragandbone

This Black Brown 1826 cashmere sweater (above) is something I often wear around the house over my pajamas. It is a thick 4-ply cashmere – very cozy and soft. The sleeves had frayed but I loved it so much, I didn’t want to get rid of it. I brought it to DeWitt Cleaners, recently, because I spilled yogurt on it and when I picked it up, it was not only pristine, but someone had magically mended it as well! The yarns of the sleeves were somehow stitched together (crochet hook?) and now it looks great with the most expensive skirt in my wardrobe!

#kesnyc #theory #tashkovski #360cashmere #bcbgmaxazria #marcjacobs

This outfit (above) was inspired by one of my encaustic angel paintings, currently located on my bedroom dresser. I have had these silk velvet pants for a while. Paired with Marc Jacobs combat-style boots and the double sweater look, it felt super comfy on that cold day. We are in school on Wednesdays while the students are at home. #officehours

Confidante, 2017, encaustic on masonite, 8″ x 10″ (mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard), $111

#amicale #kesnyc #warnerbros #anntaylor #coach #ragandbone

I rarely wear red – then this Coach leather skirt came along and now I’m singing red’s praises! Absolutely in love with the length. I paired it with an old Ann Taylor cashmere sweater from when the Ann Taylor store was on the second floor of the mall. (Does that store still exist? – IDK)

Royal Gamer, 18″ x 15″, 2012, encaustic, $125

Karen Tashkovski, “Geisha”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

#kesnyc #tashkovski #saksfifthavenue #rebeccataylor #frame #rebeccaminkoff

The monochromatic look was the rage at the 2021 Inauguration. It looked a bit like a circa 1980s rainbow wedding to me but fashion instagrammers didn’t agree. They loved that parade. I am not a purple head-to-toe fan either, lol. But blue? Yes!

One color works best when it is a blend of textures while allowing the hues to vary. Here (above) a new cashmere sweater with my tissue thin Rebecca Taylor summer denim dress, a navy silk mask and Frame cropped jeans. Boots, kind of, match my hair.

#kesnyc #rebeccataylor #karllagerfeldparis

Sometimes I throw on my hat or earmuffs for the #ootd picture and sometimes I wear them most of the day when I am not in the classrooms. There is a lot less moving around these days due to all the Covid restrictions and such, and it just feels a lot colder at work. Hence the double sweater business too.

#aquacashmere #talithacollection #tashkovski #joesjeans #rebeccaminkoff

The fist time I wore this silk Talitha Collection top (above), I was at the Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan concert at the Ampitheater. It was something like ninety degrees in the shade that July day! For a January school day, I threw it on over a thick cashmere turtleneck.

And, P.S., every color in the rainbow looks great paired with these lambskin leather jeans (Joe’s Jeans!)

Karen Tashkovski, “Shibori”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

#kesnyc #joie #bcbgmaxazria #joesjeans #rebeccaminkoff

Finally and full circle, dresses over pants is a fun look – the dresses become tunics/jackets and I get to wear them through the winter and still manage to stay warm. Thank you, Joie and AllSaints, for the leathaaaaaaaa! <3

#ootd, angels, art, art exhibition, art in restaurants, encaustic, horseshoes, Karen Tashkovski, restaurant, Tashionista

Where in the World

Image September 14, 2019 Karen Tashkovski 2 Comments

70220829_3060592533967702_7672198804963065856_o — C by Bloomingdales cashmere cardigan, Warner Bros. Hogwarts T-shirt, BCBGMaxAzria skirt, Marc Jacobs boots

Where am I? I am back at work at Chittenango Middle School, teaching 8th grade Studio in Art, Art-8, and helping fifty kids a day with homework in two study halls. My outfit of the day (#ootd) pictures have been hit or miss. Not sure whether or not to resume taking them. Katy C. and I have been so busy prepping lessons and organizing stuff – I only have a few pictures to share (even though we’ve been back at it for two weeks now).

69879644_3062572137103075_8771463055507718144_n — Talitha Collection silk top, BCBGMaxAzria silk velvet pants, BCBGeneration velvet booties

Meanwhile, my artwork is going places. I am exhibiting encaustic baseball paintings and horseshoe paintings during the month of September 2019 at Half Moon Bakery & Bistro (6500 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078).

And last night I delivered six encaustic angel paintings from the Futura series to a new restaurant called 317 (317 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, New York) before heading to the Italian Festival, which is taking place in front of City Hall this weekend. These paintings will be up in a group pairing along with other artists’ work (indefinitely, as of now). 317 provides an incredibly intimate dining experience right in the heart of downtown Syracuse adjacent to the Onondaga Historical Association.

Finally, my twelve Japanese-inspired fan encaustic paintings are still available for sale at Kasai Ramen (218 Walton Street, Syracuse, NY 13202) until September 16, 2019.

P.S. I started designing bracelets! I’ll be ready to launch that experience very soon – stay tuned! The jewelry thing is my current passion and focus artistically. The universe has been doing a great job of taking care of everything else. Thank you, universe! Life is good! <3

Aqua Cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria T-shirt, Rag & Bone patent leather skirt, Marc Jacobs booties

abstract, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art in restaurants, encaustic, found object, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, painting

Sensu

Image May 16, 2019 Karen Tashkovski 1 Comment

Karen Tashkovski, “Ichi”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

Karen Tashkovski, “Fuji”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

Karen Tashkovski, “Ramen”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

I am delighted to announce I have just completed a new series of encaustic & collage paintings! Yesssssss! They are fans – sensu in Japanese. I was inspired by a call-for-Japanese-inspired-art for a group show, which will be curated by Jamie Santos at Kasai Ramen scheduled for next month.

Karen Tashkovski, “Obi”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

I love Japanese art! I’ve introduced my students to it with many different lessons through the years, the most recent of which happened to be utilizing the fan as motif. This was both inspiration and motivation for me to finally purchase some gesso boards, pull out the beeswax and immerse myself in the full sensation of creation.

Karen Tashkovski, “MIA”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

I love how each one of these new pieces is unique – I added elements of origami, kintsugi, and shibari, as well as nods to the specific landscape, sport, and artists (Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese artist who is known for her dot paintings) of the country.

Karen Tashkovski, “Sumo”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

Karen Tashkovski, “Yen”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

The very best part of creating art is relaxing into the process – allowing the inspiration to come rather than forcing decision making. It transports to an other-worldly place where the art becomes the most important thing, where nothing else matters except oneself and the process. The experience is pure joy; utter bliss. I highly recommend it. <3

Karen Tashkovski, “Shibari”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

Karen Tashkovski, “Yayoi”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

Karen Tashkovski, “Sensu”, 2019, 8″ x 8″, encaustic & collage, $250

art exhibition, art for sale, encaustic, hearts, Karen Tashkovski

Heart Help

Image October 21, 2018 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

I was asked to donate paintings for a silent auction to help recovering addicts.

https://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/helping-recovering-addicts-afford-treatment/1529876150

Kind of exciting to see my painting, Cobalt Tears, on TV! Hope it and Ink Heart find their way to good people who will enjoy them in the spirit of compassion and love.

Cobalt Tears, 11″ x 14″, 2012, $100

Ink Heart, 11″ x 14″, 2012, $75

art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, encaustic, found object, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, painting

Happy Little Treehouse

Image April 24, 2018 Karen Tashkovski 2 Comments

I was invited to participate in an art show at the Syracuse, New York Golisano Children’s Hospital. In 2011, my Chittenango Middle School students exhibited Mexican sun sculptures in this same little gallery on the 12th floor. This time Ryan Wood from the 40 Below Public Arts Task Force connected with Jenny Dickinson, Coordinator for Pediatric Programs and Events to create an art event in which all artists produced treehouse themed art and called it The Happy Little Treehouse Show.

An all call went out via email and I responded. Three weeks ago, I created three new paintings for the event. Other artists in this group exhibition are as follows: Madison M. Quinn, Carlos Lee, Micha L. Crook, Sofia Marquez, Eva Hunter, Brandon Hall, Becki Fuller, Tommy Lincoln, Karmin Schafer, Jamie Santos, Melquea Smith, Aldea K. Gerard and Ryan Wood.

Many of the works are priced as donations to the hospital. Mine too, although the signage was wrong on that. I must have checked the wrong box when I filled out the form.

My paintings are titled “Spring”, “Autumn” and “Winter”. They are encaustic combines. I used two hardboard panels to create the abstract tree and house then added a variety of found object items. Encaustic is a process of heating beeswax and infusing it with oil paint. They are priced at $75 each.

The one hour reception took place this afternoon. Because of hospital security issues, only artists and hospital staff attended. It was really lovely networking with the other artists. The gallery is a wonderful space, right across from the library near the elevators.

The Happy Little Treehouse show continues through the end of May.

abstract, angels, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art in restaurants, encaustic, found object, hearts, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, painting

111

Image November 30, 2017 Karen Tashkovski 3 Comments

Thirteen paintings from my angel series “Futura” are currently on display at the Half Moon Bakery & Bistro in Jamesville, New York! Bobbi Petrocci and I pulled the switch-a-roo – she took down the CBA Hope for the Bereaved exhibit and installed my show by lining up these encaustics to look like ethereal soldiers hovering from above to love and protect the foodie patrons at this wonderful café.

The paintings are $111 each. If you want one, just let proprietor Debbe Titus know. She can contact me and I will meet you there. You will get to take one (or more) home for Christmas! They really do work best in multiples! They are small: 8″ x 10″ paintings on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard.

It is always such a thrill to exhibit here. I have a fondness for a captive audience – people who do not ordinarily go to art shows, so we bring the art to them. Making the invisible visible is what it’s about. The show will be up during the month of December 2017.

abstract, angels, art, art education, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, encaustic, found object, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, music, painting

T Minus One Week

Image November 5, 2017 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

Futura comes down on Saturday, November 11, 2017 (11/11). You can still see the show and buy the work in a cash and carry. Paintings are $111 each. Eye Studio is located at 712 W. Manlius, East Syracuse, NY. They are not open today – hours are 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday – Saturday.

Here are the pictures from the closing reception last Friday night. I am so grateful to Ilene Layow for offering me this wonderful space and throwing such an awesome party complete with music by Jerry Cali, and that gratitude is extended to all of my friends, patrons and family who came to support my art career. Great time! <3 <3 <3

IMG_20171027_210638_744 — Trina Turk dress, Michelle DaRin jewelry bracelets, BCBGMaxAzria sandals

abstract, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, ceramics, encaustic, fashion, illustration, Karen Tashkovski, landscapes, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, products, sculpture

Delavan Holiday Party!

Image November 4, 2017 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

My friends and I had a lot of fun in the journey of traveling through the labyrinth that is the Delavan Center. It is a building west of Armory Square that houses artist studios. There was open house last night. The party continues today until 4:00 pm. The Delavan is located at 509 W. Fayette Street in Syracuse, New York, 13204. (315) 476-9001

You will find lots of treasures! Artists are selling paintings, ceramics, sculpture, clothing and jewelry – buy something for yourself or to give as gifts this holiday season.

So fun!

abstract, angels, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, encaustic, found object, horseshoes, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, painting

Futura and Eye

Image October 9, 2017 Karen Tashkovski 1 Comment

Futura, my exhibit of twenty-four encaustic angel paintings, is on exhibit in the gallery space at Eye Studio, 712-14 West Manlius Street, East Syracuse, New York (13057). They are open Monday through Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. There will be a closing reception on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm with free food and drink (wine!) Musical guest will be Jerry Cali.

Please come if you can. The goal is to sell all of the angels by the end of the party. Patrons can leave with their purchase, which is why I like the idea of a closing reception rather than an opening. They are priced at $111.

FUTURA
angel encaustic paintings by Karen Tashkovski

Futura is the brainchild of my inner being, a series of twenty-four 8” x 10” encaustic angel paintings. They depict the pure, positive energy of the present moment while reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future.

They are meant to be whimsical creatures supporting me and those who view them with love, kindness and appreciation. Encaustic is heated beeswax infused with oil paint. Each brushstroke is a deliberate creation, a quick and conscious decision on my part to honor a distinct moment in time.

I am fasciated by a found object’s abundant meaning, and so I use keys, horseshoes, sea glass and ribbons to add dimension to these paintings – another source of love and luck that is a talisman to me as the artist that will, hopefully, resonate with the viewer and subsequent owner of the piece.

I had the title of the exhibition in mind for several years before embarking on this collection. It was as if these images revealed themselves when they were ready to do so, and I was just the facilitator of the experience, like a fixed point in the future that I could not see until it became evident that I was finally ready and then that future became the now. I am delighted to finally share this new series of paintings with you – an audience of art aficionados, family, friends, artists and art students of all ages.

	Karen Tashkovski on Teacher Appreciation
	BunnyKissd on Teacher Appreciation
	Karen Tashkovski on Bunny Trail
	BunnyKissd on Bunny Trail
	Donna on They Have it Made

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Visual Artist