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:
Create an Abstract Expressionist base coat on the canvas.
Trace a contour line version of the face photograph onto the canvas via graphite paper then paint the lines with black paint.
Add paint – Abstract Expressionism, solid areas, and patterned areas.
Using Mod Podge, adhere parts of the photograph onto the painting, as well as some patterned paper.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Rachel Zoe top, 7 For All Mankind jeans, BCBGeneration sandals
Here is my new favorite outfit! I love this Rachel Zoe top so much – I bought it in white too! And adding spandex to jeans is the most brilliant concept the fashion world has ever known. These 7 For All Mankind cropped ankle jeans are so spectacular. They totally move with me like a second skin. My most recent purchase. Lately, every time I buy something, I say to myself – okay, after this you don’t really need anything else. LOL! Needless to say, that thought is fleeting.
Rachel Zoe top, Calvin Klein jeans, Nine West booties
Honora necklace, Banana Republic sweater, BCBGMaxAzria pants and booties
I also recently acquired these BCBGMaxAzria silk velvet cargo pants in teal – one of the major colors this season. They are amazing in every way! Soft, elastic waist, cropped so that they did not need hemming… OMG! Love!!! <3
Free People top, Banana Republic pants, BCBGeneration booties
And the Sloan fit pant from Banana Republic – I bought them in both garnet and charcoal. The red ones were on some ridiculous sale because they were the last pair and happened to be in my size. I think they ended up being only $20!
Banana Republic cardigan and pants, Rachel Zoe top, Nine West booties
Here are the rest of my #ootd pics since school resumed. Some are weekend shots. I really love all my Rachel Zoe tops. The fabrication is top notch. I buy them on-line as no stores in Syracuse, New York carry her. Same goes for Trina Turk. Actually, shopping on-line is the way I prefer acquiring my wardrobe. Sometimes I try on BCBG and other stuff while at Lord & Taylor. I spent a couple hours in there trying on jeans last week so that I could ascertain my size and the best fit. Turns out I am a standard size 2 across the board in Hudson, Joe’s Jeans and 7 For All Mankind (0 in Banana and XS or XXS in BCBG depending on the cut). Yes!!!!! And…I love it when something comes in the mail and it is a perfect fit. It is just like magic! Because, of course, fashion is magical.
BCBGMaxAzria romper, BCBGeneration booties
Free People cardigan and dress, BCBGeneration booties
Halston Heritage dress, BCBGeneration booties
Trina Turk dress, BCBGMaxAzria belt and sandals
BCBGMaxAzria dress and belt, BCBGeneration sandals
Karen Tashkovski, Creation, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Pure, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
I feel so much satisfaction in the completion of these heart paintings. I made them during Memorial Day weekend but only put finishing touches on them, including titles, a little while ago. They are sprawled on the dining room table currently, waiting for me to find a place to store them/sell them.
Karen Tashkovski, Veil, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Divinity, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Hearts are my thing. They are everywhere in my life – heart paintings in all media abound on the walls of my house; I even find heart stones, (literally, everyday) when I walk the trails of Green Lakes. I love love. I find beauty everywhere, particularly in the heart motif, and coupled with the vibrant hues of oil paint infused beeswax and its subsequent texture in my artwork, it fills me with gratitude, a sort of passionate energy and joyous warmth. I desire to share that feeling with everyone in the world.
Karen Tashkovski, Heartbeat, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
One person’s positive energy is stronger than a roomful of debbie downers, lol. It would be lovely to think that my good vibes saturate these paintings and in that way I can spread seeds of love into this universe. Corny, I know, but genius. There is power in the unity of spirit. Believing in goodness is the stuff of legend. <3
Karen Tashkovski, Denim, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Butter, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Imprint, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Lyric, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Match, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Renaissance, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Harmony, 2017, encaustic, 6″ x 8″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $75
Karen Tashkovski, Blood & Sweat, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Last month I created these baseball paintings. I finally got around to mounting them onto the chalkboard painted masonite today.
Karen Tashkovski, Vintage, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Mint, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
They are very experimental. I did not set out to do a baseball theme – in fact, I bought the hardboards with the intent to do more horseshoes paintings. So, these just happened. They kind of came out of nowhere.
Karen Tashkovski, Golden Strike, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Spin, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ masonite, &48
I love the texture of encaustic. The smooth areas juxtaposed with thick globby drips, the creamy wax and the gorgeous smell… It is an intoxicating medium. I added paper money to these, both real and imaginary. I also had this wonderful feather-infused rice paper that I loved incorporating. So cool!
Karen Tashkovski, Axis, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Dusted, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
No plans yet regarding what to do with them. I guess find a place to store them until an opportunity presents itself. The serendipitous approach.
Karen Tashkovski, Cherry Bomb, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Fly, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Prime, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Patina, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Karen Tashkovski, Quicky, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Banana Republic suit, Free People top, BCBGeneration sandals
Chan Luu choker, Free People cardigan and top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGeneration sandals
Screw cardigan, Free People top, BCBGMax Azria pants, Nine West booties
I’m finally getting back to blogging now that I’m in summer mode. I will post soon about more new encaustic paintings, once I get around to mounting them onto the chalk boards. I have a dozen new heart paintings and a dozen abstracted baseball ones that I am loving. They are currently residing on my kitchen table – and on the surrounding counter space. No current plans for exhibiting them as of yet.
BCBGMax Azria dress and pants, Banana Republic top, Coach booties
Free People cardigan, Trina Turk top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Ugg boots
Honors necklace, BCBGeneration dress, Karl Lagerfeld boots
I still have artwork up at Kimberly’s Salon on James Street in Eastwood and at Syracuse Yoga down the street on Thompson Road. Not sure what is up next for me, but that makes the journey so special. I made the paintings for a purpose; just not sure what that purpose is as of yet, lol.
Free People top, BCBGMax Azria belt and leggings, BCBGeneration sandals
Honora necklace, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, BCBGeneration sandals
If I can get my friends to put up with doing the photography, I will try to post #ootd pics on Instagram during July and August. Although I am usually the one who takes our obligatory selfie when we are all out and about, I am not a fan of those selfie pics where the fashion blogger cuts off her own head or shoots a foreshortened image from above. By not a fan, I mean I really don’t want to do that. So…we’ll see.
Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, BCBGMaxAzria sandals
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria romper, Nine West boots
Here are some outfits from the past few weeks. Kinda fell off the wagon with posting them here. We were having technical difficulties with the lighting in the classroom. I had to double edit the pics to adjust the brightness, so there are inconsistencies – I guess I will hold to that excuse. We take dozens of pics in a short time and I swear I am always changing out the pose, but for some reason I like this crossed legged thing-a-ma-bob that I have been doing a lot. It feels like the most natural and most comfortable position for me especially when I am wearing a dress or skirt. My go-to vogue. My work colleague Brad calls it my stance.
BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West sandals
Hailstone Heritage dress, BCBGMaxAzria sandals
My new favorite things – Halston Heritage and everything by Rachel Zoe! OMG, I love her! I now own five pieces – two dresses and three tops. I am on her site literally every day. I want more!
Rachel Zoe dress, BCBGeneration sandals and clutch
I’ve discovered something called the Amazon wish list. It is a public list of things I desire. All I have to do is dream while on-line shopping and perhaps these things will actually materialize in my mailbox on the condition that fairy godmothers/Santa Claus/tooth fairy/Easter bunny/patron saints of fashion do exist. That is wishful thinking at its finest. How cool is this?
Last night Chittenango Central School held their annual School Fair at the high school. Each year, my colleague Katy and I spend several hours installing the middle school art show on the walls of the hallway between the two gymnasiums.
Then at 8:00 pm we take the whole thing down and pop the art into our cars to return it all to the middle school on Monday. We displayed around three hundred pieces of 5th – 8th grade artwork.
This was my twentieth year of said fair. Here are the pictures I remembered to take! It is pretty cool to see this visual representation of what we do all year.
Banana Republic cardigan, Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, BCBGeneration sandals
Banana Republic cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top, Trina Turk pants, BCBGeneration sandals
If you search Instagram for the hashtag #fashionintherealworld, you will find all of my posts. I invented it and #fashioninrealtime, and #fashioninreallife. I just checked them; I think there are only two or three posts on them from random fashionistas. The rest is all me.
Coach hat and jacket, Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria leggings, Karl Lagerfeld Paris boots
Free People cardigan and top, Calvin Klein jeans, Karl Lagerfeld Paris boots
Free People cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top, Banana Republic skirt, Ralph Lauren boots
Here are my outfits of the day from the last two weeks. The landscape of my background keeps changing as I shift student work around the room. All of my clay projects are complete. The last batch went into the kiln today. The 5th graders are currently working on a three-dimensional wood sculpture, my Studio in Art students are learning watercolor techniques and the rest of the 8th graders are immersed in the various SLO test projects: Statue of Liberty paintings, “under the sea” landscapes with fish (mixed-media lesson), Japanese fan project (also mixed-media) and abstract paintings with realistic horses thrown in. So four additional different lessons for the six classes.
Banana Republic suit and leather shell, BCBGeneration sandals
Free People cardigan, BCBGeneration dress, Nine West booties
There is a lot going on, which will culminate in the School Fair set for May 12, 2017. I will have my hands full preparing for that exhibition and hopefully even with the upcoming state math tests looming, we will get everything accomplished.
Jcrew cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria dress, Nine West boots
But first – Spring Break!!! I will be working on the business of making art as soon as tomorrow. Can’t wait. Watching students make art is clearly a fun job, but nothing beats the guilty pleasure of creating my own artwork – even though it is super messy and therefore cannot be done in designer clothes. So…I will be sacrificing fashion for my art. I did buy a new dress for Easter though. It is Halston Heritage. <3 OMG, I love it!
Michelle DaRin Jewelry ring, Banana Republic top and Free People top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, Guess sandals
