Tag Archives: Karen Tashkovski

abstract, acrylic, art, art exhibition, art for sale, art gallery, encaustic, encaustic & collage, Karen Tashkovski, painting, photography, watercolor

Soulscape

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This happened today:  the art reception/art opening for Soulscapes at Art Haus Syracuse, 120 Walton Street, Syracuse, NY (in Armory Square).

It was such a lovely experience.  There was food and drink, great conversation and each artist spoke briefly about our respective artworks.

My ten butterfly paintings look amazing flanking the Marc Safran photograph.  I sold two of them during the party.  Art can be puchased on-line here.

Visit the gallery Tuesdays and Wednesdays noon – 7:00 PM, Thursdays and Fridays noon – 8:00 PM, and Saturdays noon – 6:00 PM.  Check the gallery’s Facebook page for any changes to these hours.

from the Art Haus web-site –

⭐️art haus SYR is proud to announce the opening of SOULSCAPES, a dynamic group exhibition featuring four local artists whose work explores the diverse textures of identity and the environment. The exhibition will run from 2/28 through 4/11, with a public opening reception Saturday 2/28, 2-4pm.

Soulscapes brings together an eclectic mix of mediums—from global photography to surrealist painting—to create a dialogue between the internal psyche and the external world.

The Featured Artists

* CJ Hodge lll: Presents a collection of surreal mixed-media portraits and bold abstract paintings that challenge traditional boundaries of form and color.

* Marc Safran: Showcases global portrait photography that highlights the profound beauty of human rituals, cultural traditions, and the dignity of everyday individual life.

* Karen Tashkovski: Offers a delicate and textured series of mixed-media butterfly paintings, symbolizing transformation and fragile beauty.

* Meghan Murphy: Explores the extremes of scale and subject matter, featuring a series of tiny landscape watercolors paired with a collection of outlandish looking portraits.

„This exhibition is a celebration of the unconventional,“ says Marianna Ranieri-Schwarzer Curator at art haus SYR. „By pairing the grounded, global reality of Marc Safran’s photography with the surreal and outlandish visions of Hodge and Murphy, we invite the viewer to see the ‚soul‘ in all its forms—the beautiful, the traditional, and the delightfully strange.“

art, art for sale, collage, encaustic, Karen Tashkovski

Arcadia

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Karen Tashkovski, “Cascade”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Fortune”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Magus”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Stargazer”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Open Sesame”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard

Here are the twenty-four paintings in the Arcadia series.

Karen Tashkovski, “Blink”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Infinite Possibilities”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Peace”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Beaver Lake”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard

The paintings are all 6” x 8” encaustic & collage paintings mounted on 9 1/2” x 12” chalkboards. They can hang on a wall and the stand will be included in the purchase if you prefer to display them that way.

Karen Tashkovski, “Spade”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Arcadia”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Diamond in the Rough”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Leap of Faith”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard

You can find them at my gallery inside AFL STUDIO, 301 E. Seneca Street, Manlius, NY 13104.

Karen Tashkovski, “Femininity”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Crystal Ball”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Three Falls”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Elysium”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Transition”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard

I will be there again on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 from 10:00 AM – noon, maybe longer depending on customer traffic.

Karen Tashkovski, “Scrambled Messages”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Green Lake”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Clark Rez”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Bullseye”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “The Vortex”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “Round Lake”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 8″ hardboard on 9 1/2″ x 12″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski

Home Is Where the Metal Is

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Karen Tashkovski, “GREEN HOUSE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “COTTAGE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “SALT CITY”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard

Here are the twenty-four paintings in my Bungalow series. The found object items in these paintings came from my yard – I have always wanted to hunt for treasure so I bought a metal detector last summer and went to town on my property. Since my house was built in 1900, I knew there had to be something to find and I was right.

I am grateful to everyone who has ever lived in my house who inadvertently helped me create these little gems. It was such a fun process.

I will be exhibiting them during October and November 2024 at the East Syracuse Free Library with an artist reception on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 4:45 – 6:45 PM. I am planning a pizza and soda Halloween-themed event. 🎃

Karen Tashkovski, “PRINCESS”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “GARDEN PARTY”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “PABLO”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “SYRACUSE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “FORGET ME NOT”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “FUSE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “MAN CAVE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “GOOD LUCK”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “JINGLE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “THE FARM”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “AVON LADY”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “JASPER”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, 2024, BUNGALOW”, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “KNOCK-KNOCK”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “CRAFTSMAN”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “DREAM SQUASHERS”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “HUNTED”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “WELCOME”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “JAMES STREET”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “BRIGHTEN”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
Karen Tashkovski, “GEORGIE”, 2024, encaustic & collage, 6″ x 6″ hardboard mounted on 8″ x 10″ chalkboard
art, encaustic, hearts, Karen Tashkovski

Encaustic Heart Minis

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  • Karen Tashkovski, “Gem”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Duo”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Creation”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Once”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Origin”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “The Light”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Whimsy”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Unlock”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Traveler”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Blushing”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Launch Pad”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Existentialism”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Star”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Confetti”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Heart of Hearts”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Berry Good”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Flight”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Karen Tashkovski, “Primer”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand “, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6” chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Blessing”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Caramel”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Valued”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Buttercream”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Butterscotch”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
  • Karen Tashkovski, “Peanut”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand

As promised, here are my latest new encaustic heart paintings – two dozen 4″ x 4″ paintings on hardboard mounted on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard and resting on little Arts & Crafts-style easels.

Karen Tashkovski, “Gem”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Duo”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Creation”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Once”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Origin”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “The Light”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Existentialism”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Launch Pad”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Blushing”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Traveler”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Unlock”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Whimsy”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Star”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Confetti”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Heart of Hearts”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Berry Good”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Flight”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Karen Tashkovski, “Primer”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand “, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6” chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Valued”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Caramel”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Buttercream”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Butterscotch”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Peanut”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
Karen Tashkovski, “Blessing”, 2024, 4″ x 4″ encaustic & mixed media on 6″ x 6″ chalkboard with stand
art education, art exhibition, art in libraries, Karen Tashkovski

Comic Art

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I love artist books. These beauties are comic art. Students in my 8th grade Studio in Art classes created accordion-style comics by first designing three characters then placing them in a positive situation. Three characters, three drawings. They used metallic paints on the covers.

I purchased ready-made art book kits for this lesson. You can find them here.

The books are on display in our school library.

encaustic, Karen Tashkovski, metal detecting, mixed media, painting

Bungalow

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I just completed twenty-four new paintings. Encaustic and mixed media. 6″ x 6″ clayboard on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard/chipboard incorporating items I recovered last year metal detecting my yard.

I still need to title them, add the framing hangers, decide on prices, etc. My house is a mess as I process this monumental achievement (plus I have twenty-four other in-progress paintings to finish).

OMG, I love them!

8th grade art, abstract, acrylic, art, art exhibition, art in libraries, art teacher, classroom, Karen Tashkovski, portraits

Teaching Bergeron

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My Art-8 students viewed the paintings of Canadian artist Daniel Bergeron, specifically, his installation in Regent Park in Toronto.

Then they painted the teachers and staff at our school! The steps were as follows:

  1. Create an Abstract Expressionist base coat on the canvas.
  2. Trace a contour line version of the face photograph onto the canvas via graphite paper then paint the lines with black paint.
  3. Add paint – Abstract Expressionism, solid areas, and patterned areas.
  4. Using Mod Podge, adhere parts of the photograph onto the painting, as well as some patterned paper.
  5. Touch ups plus add bits of fluorescent and metallic paints.

This is my sample (above). We used acrylic paint.

Here are the results. They are on display in the school library. I’ve got one more class finishing up tomorrow for a total of fifty-five paintings. So fun! <3

accessories, bracelets, design, holiday, Karen Tashkovski, leather, mixed media, products, retail

Norma

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preview

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #1
NORMA BUTTERFLY #1 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #4
NORMA BUTTERFLY #4 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #3
NORMA BUTTERFLY #3 (BACK)

The Tashkovski Collection is officially launching on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 5 – 8 pm at The Chop House on Waring  (200 Waring Road, Syracuse, New York 13224 – (315) 445-1976). The event is called Sip & Sparkle and will include twelve local vendors. They will also have a Wild Turkey bourbon tasting and some appetizers.  It is going to be a lot of fun!

I had a poster made and some postcards.  The bracelets are photographed, catalogued and tagged.  I have a Square reader to process debit/charges.  I am ready to be ready (which means ready, I think).

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #2
NORMA BUTTERFLY #2 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #7
NORMA BUTTERFLY #7 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #6
NORMA BUTTERFLY #6 (BACK)

Here are the latest pieces.  These leather bracelets feature vintage pins manufactured in Estonia circa the 1970s by a tin toy company called NORMA.  I scoured the world looking for them.  I’m in love with them!  The are handmade, one-of-a-kinders.  I know you will fall in love with them too. <3

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #12
NORMA BUTTERFLY #12 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #9
NORMA BUTTERFLY #9 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #5
NORMA BUTTERFLY #5 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #8
NORMA BUTTERFLY #8 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #16
NORMA BUTTERFLY #16 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #10
NORMA BUTTERFLY #10 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #11
NORMA BUTTERFLY #11 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #13
NORMA BUTTERFLY #13 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #14
NORMA BUTTERFLY #14 (BACK)

$55 – NORMA BUTTERFLY #15
NORMA BUTTERFLY #15 (BACK)

accessories, design, fashion, jewelry, Karen Tashkovski, leather, vintage

Music Collection

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$55 . – HENDRIX #2
HENDRIX #2 .(BACK)

$55 . – GRATEFUL DEAD
GRATEFUL DEAD (BACK)

$55 . – MONKEES
MONKEES (BACK)

Cue the drumroll….

$65 . – BEATLES
BEATLES (BACK)

$75 . – STONES
STONES (BACK)

$55 . – JAPAN
JAPAN (BACK)

$55 . – STONES #2
STONES #2 (BACK)

$55 – THE POLICE
THE POLICE (BACK)

Here is the first look at how I spent my summer vacation.  I became a jewelry designer.  There are over five hundred pieces in the collection to date.  This is the Music series.  I scoured the flea market world to find vintage pins and attached them to genuine leather, sherpa and rabbit fur.

These bracelets are available for sale with price points of $55, $65 and $75.  I am in the process of photographing everything and adding tags to them so that they can be sold locally and on-line.  Kind of playing that by ear.  I am artist first and designer, of course, and (I guess) businesswoman now, too (using intuition as my guide).

I am in love with these bracelets.  Not sure how easy it will be to part with them since they are all one-of-a-kinds.  Handmade and infused with (lots of) love. <3

$55 . – STEVE MILLER
STEVE MILLER (BACK)

NFS . – MONKEES #2
MONKEES #2 (BACK)

$65 . – LED ZEPPELIN
LED ZEPPELIN (BACK)

$55 – JOURNEY #2
JOURNEY #2 (BACK)

$55 – SPRINGSTEEN
SPRINGSTEEN (BACK)

$55 . – 38 SPECIAL
38 SPECIAL (BACK)

$55 . – JOURNEY #1
JOURNEY #1 (BACK)

$55 . – FOREIGNER
FOREIGNER (BACK)

$55 – THE WHO
THE WHO (BACK)

$55 – HENDRIX #1
HENDRIX #1 (BACK)

$65 . – BOWIE
BOWIE (BACK)

$55 . – BOB MARLEY
BOB MARLEY (BACK)

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

Sensu

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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Karen Tashkovski, “Geisha”, 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.

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

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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

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

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

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