Category Archives: encaustic

Betsy Menson Sio

On a recent visit to Cazenovia Artisans, 39 Albany Street, Cazenovia, New York, 13135, I met co-op member Betsy Menson Sio, a former art teacher in the Jordan-Elbridge School District, now working as a full-time artist and jewelry designer.  She is selling earrings made of vintage tins that speak of recycling paired with sterling silver.

The pieces are whimsical, meant to be worn for fun with everyday casual gear.  She calls her business East Street Tins.

This is a materials driven art form.  She must first find the vintage tins – soda cans, candy or coffee canisters, perhaps even motor oil containers – then decide on the shape and cut forming two symmetrical bespoke pieces.

She also creates necklaces and bracelets when not taking her weekly turn as salesperson at the gallery.

As mentioned, Cazenovia Artisans is a co-op.  Artist members must be voted in with the understanding that they will commit to retail sales as well as providing cohesive artwork for sale and paying a monthly fee.  There are other avenues as well – offering work on consignment or being considered as a guest artist.  All information is listed on their website.

Current hours of operation:

Mon

10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Tue

10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Wed

10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Thu

10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Fri

10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Sat

10:00 am – 05:00 pm

Sun

10:00 am – 04:00 pm

Fan-Girl Gratitude

I appreciate everyone who attended the art talk/reception I had for Fan-Girl on Tuesday evening at the Fayetteville Free Library.  Thank you!  The exhibition continues until July 31, 2025.

It’s supposed to rain tomorrow – a perfect day to spend lounging on Stickley furniture in this beautiful library!

Fan-Girl @ FFL

Does it look like I was at the Fayetteville Free Library (300 Orchard Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066) for six hours installing this art exhibition?  The hard part was organizing the apparatus then deciding what to put where.  Of course, my desire to have these 8″ x 8″ encaustic paintings at the same height, same distance apart was the most challenging part.

I’ve installed many art shows in my life but this one is up there as one of my most satisfying triumphs.  It’s fan-tastic.

I am so pleased with the way everything looks.  I feel like I manifested a dream because it is such a perfect fit and placing seventy-two paintings in one place is no easy feat.  There are three sections:  the wall space that goes up the ramp and into the gorgeous community room filled with Stickley furniture, the space around the corner, which leads to the juvenile literature section and the stunning area around the fireplace.

There were not enough hooks to hang everything.  Luckily, I have these beautiful mission-style stands and was able to place the remaining paintings on top of the mantle, the book shelves, a piano and two tables.  The result is this homey atmosphere and by that I mean the paintings are very much at home with Stickley, as I am a mission oak kind of girl, as well as a Fan-Girl.

The show is called Fan-Girl.

I will do an artist talk on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM.  This exhibition will conclude at the end of July.  See their web-site for hours of operation.  The library will be closed on holidays and I think closed on Sundays during the summer.

All artwork is for sale.

 

East Syracuse Free Library & Me

I just installed my art show at the East Syracuse Free Library, 4990 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13057.

It is a combination of three different art series:  Echolalia (2005), Talisman (2008) and Arcadia (2025).

Echolalia is a series of cats frolicking in a geometric field – oil & collage.  The Talisman series is about love – oil & collage.  Arcadia is built on targets – encaustic & collage.

I love the way they look together.  They are colorful, which corresponds with the library’s summer reading program, “Color Your World”.

This show will remain on display through August 2025.  Please check their website for summer hours (they will not be open on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer months).

One Left

Three of the four paintings I donated to the Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery have been sold.  It’s for their annual 6″ x 6″ fund drive.

The forth one is still available!  It’s number 208.

https://www.roco6x6.org/gallery/2025/208

ROCO 6 x 6 x Infinity

I took a road trip to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604) because today was the first day to peruse the annual 6 x 6 fundraiser.

Follow this link to reserve your favorites.  They are only $20 each, which is a bargain for my $75 heart paintings.  If you would like to reserve them, they are numbers 205, 206, 207 and 208.

See their website for more information including hours of operation.

ROCO 6 x 6

Karen Tashkovski, CHIP, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, FULL HEART, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)

I’m sending these four paintings to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center for their annual 6 x 6  fundraiser.

The exhibition and sale begins in May 2025.

Rochester Contemporary Art Center,  137 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604

Karen Tashkovski, CRISS CROSS, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, BUTTERSCOTCH, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)

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)

More New Hearts

Karen Tashkovski, KEYSTONE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)

I finished these today – more new small heart paintings – twenty-four of them!.  They are 4″ x 4″ encaustic & collage paintings mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard and placed on little table easels.

Karen Tashkovski, ARIES, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, ROSY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, RUBY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, BERRY BERRY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, DIAMOND, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, STEWART, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, FESTIVE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, NAVY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, STRUCTURE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, CRISS CROSS, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, GINGHAM, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, VANILLA 20, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, TANGERINE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, LOVE YOU 2, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, RAINBOW DREAM, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, BLIZZARD, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, FULL HEART, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, COMPLEMENTS, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, LIFE, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, PRIMARY, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, IRELAND, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, ANGELIC, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)
Karen Tashkovski, FRENCH VANILLA, 2025, encaustic & collage, 4″ x 4″ painting mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard (with stand)

Encaustic Heart Collection 2025

Karen Tashkovski, TRUE NORTH, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, DEEPLY, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, S SQUARED, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, P – 1, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, A1 – 20, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included

I’m so excited to share my new work.  This is a collection of heart paintings – encaustic and collage that are presented on table easels, which are included with purchase.  I just finished them this morning.  (Being a professional artist is not a weekdays from 9 – 5 job.  It’s a when-the-mood-strikes thingy).

Karen Tashkovski, P3 – 5, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, KEY 3 – H, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, H-50, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, T – 3, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, KEY 3 – Q, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, 50 KISSES, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included

I am in love with love.  Which one is your favorite?

Karen Tashkovski, CLUBBING, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, CITY OF LIGHTS, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, Q – 50, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, LUCK & LOVE, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, H – 1, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, DECISION, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, MY HEART, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, TAKING FLIGHT, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, EXPLOSION, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, DRAGON HEART, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, ANGEL HEART, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, M-20, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included
Karen Tashkovski, KEY 3-D, 2025, 9″ x 12″, encaustic & collage, stand included