Encaustic Crowns
Category Archives: encaustic
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.
Framing Angels
I have eighteen of twenty-four angel paintings left. Made in 2017 of encaustic & collage mounted on chalkboard, the series is called “Futura”.
I framed them and reevaluated some of the collage items because they were weighty.
I am in love with their new and improved look. Hoping to get them into another gallery. I showed them at the defunct Eye Studio in 2017 and since then they’ve been in storage. Stay tuned! <3
Gallery Butterflies
Some of these butterfly paintings will be showcased at Art Haus, 120 Walton Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. The opening reception will be February 28, 2026 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
I loved the challenge of making butterflies in encaustic and collage, using paint brushes as thoraxes. Encaustic is a combination of beeswax and oil paint.
Winter Solstice Art Sale
If you are in the vicinity of Little Falls, New York, there is a little festival happening this weekend (Dec 12, 13, 14, 2025). In addition to the activities listed, the shops are open during their regular hours through Christmas.
I have two paintings for sale at Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, 410 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY. They created a show of work priced at $100 and below to encourage art enthusiasts to purchase art as gifts for the holidays and to buy local.
You will be getting a deal because these are normally $125! They are from my first horse series created in 2012 – encaustic & collage, 12″ x 12″ mounted on 18″ x 18″ chalkboard painted masonite.
Me & My Membership
I am a member of the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604. My encaustic & collage painting, “Girl”, is there (above). It is from my Fan-Girl series.
The Rochester Contemporary Art Center’s thirty-fourth Member Exhibition is in full swing through February 14, 2026. There are over five hundred pieces of art in this show and it is AMAZING!
All artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to the gallery. This exhibition is a must see! I think what happens is you will be drawn to a few things at eye level then you’ll step back and see that there is so much more. Sculpture, ceramics, paintings, photographs, abstracts, realism – it is the most eclectic mix of talent.
To the volunteers who erected this art show- I commend you! It must have been a giant puzzle to solve to place everything in such a way that each piece gets the respect it deserves. It is a glorious achievement.
The gallery hours –
Wed. – Sun. 12-5pm
Fri. 12-9pm
- It is $2 per visit and free for members.
From their web-site:
RoCo was founded as the Pyramid Gallery
In 1977, a small group of artists led by Tony Petracca, John Kavanaugh and Albert Robbins joined together to exhibit their artwork, present an alternative to museums and commercial galleries, and expand the cultural offerings in the region.
Early on, the crew faced considerable obstacles. Only days after the grand opening there was a significant fire that left the small Monroe Ave. storefront and many artworks damaged. Fundraisers were held and walls were rebuilt. Thanks to the perseverance of the founders and their fellow artists, the Rochester art community has been the beneficiary ever since. After formalizing the organization began to receive New York State and foundation funding and soon began to play a significant role in the artist-run space movement of the era. Still there was uncertainty and challenges. The Culture Wars and shifting foundation priorities altered the funding landscape. Through the decades and several different locations, RoCo’s individual members have provided a stable base for the organization. This significant community support has enabled RoCo to survive and thrive when other small art centers have struggled and even closed their doors. In recent years RoCo’s membership and stature has grown significantly. Now as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, we’ve achieved outright ownership of our facility and are approaching 1,000 members for the first time in the organization’s history.
The Lotus Series (Part 2)
Gamer: Lotus Series 2 Continued
This is the current state of affairs: my dining room table has been hijacked by the second wave of three dozen paintings in the lotus series, now called The Lotus Collection. I have added thistle and Japanese lillies to this group, although all flowers are abstracted.
In addition, I have incorporated my game devices, which I totally love. When I was on that Buffalo road trip with Penny, we chatted about verbalizing our visual language. I feel like that explanation should be the same spoken as it is written.
The thing with me though – I know what every brush stroke means. Every choice is deliberate, whether it is conscious or subconscious, and some of that is private, meant only for me. Jasper Johns never really shared his intentions and I love that bit of privacy.
However, this doesn’t sit well with the powers that be who offer art shows in their galleries. They want you to resonate with the masses and lately those masses are chronic malcontents. Complaining about everything in society. And misery loves company.
My paintings are flowers, but they are also autobiographical, and I’m a person who has climbed an emotional ladder. I finally found a belief system that sidesteps fears and all the shitty stuff. Seeing beauty in a colorful brush stroke or femininity in a ribbon, or familiarity in vintage game pieces – that is my art.
Meanwhile, just to be clear, these paintings are not finished. They are on the operating table, so to speak, waiting to be finessed. What I do at this stage is allow myself to walk away and then approach them with fresh eyes, discerning eyes, questioning whether the devices are enhancing the pieces or just covering painting mistakes. The artwork must work as a collective group but also stand alone.
I am also awaiting some supplies that I ordered: more ribbon, the apparatus to add wire to the frames. Can’t really move forward until I have all of the pieces to this puzzle.
Lotus Again
It’s time to purchase more wax, damar resin and colors to continue on the path of the lotus. I have expanded to include thistles this time, as well as Japanese lilies.
I have a thing for Ancient Egypt. I also have a thing for Scotland. And everything Japanese. My paintings do tend to blend these cultures like a reincarnated melting pot of who I might be.
Sharing the current in progress situation. Paintings situated on my living room floor. It is good to take a breather from inhaling beeswax (which is completely intoxicating) and ponder my next decisions.
In a perfect universe, I could have all my pancake griddles going a once so that I can access every color in my repertoire, but I don’t have the room in my studio nor the electrical power to accomplish this – or do I? Maybe I just need more extension cords and another table and another griddle or two….
I will figure it out. Love that art can be both challenging and fun.
More Flowers In Progress
This is happening….
Thirty-six more paintings are currently in progress! I’ve created twelve more stencils, traced them onto the beeswax prepped hardboards and added the paper collage component to all of them. I introduced Monopoly money to this series. Using game pieces in my artwork is my favorite device.
