Close Ups of Encaustic Studies

Encaustic Wax Studies

Examples of small encaustic experimentations with adding chemicals and either torching or setting on fire. Also practicing my transfer skills - transferring is a real pain in the as**.  

Works In Progress Show Feb. 15 -28 Lewandowski Gallery, Winthrop

At Winthrop, the MFA program has a a "Works in Progress" show featuring work by continuing MFA students (not graduating MFA candidates).  The new work is either part of their body of work or unfinished work in their body of work.  I submitted six of my 12 panels for the next painting in my Holocaust series.  This series is continuing my exploration of the memory as it relates to generational witnessing or narrative, in this case, my obligation to continue the dialogue on the impact of the Shoah on the lives of today's Jews - and me, in particular.  In addition, how to connect viewers in an intimate way by relating the imagery to something personal to themselves.  I was successful in doing this (in some ways) with Panim el Panim (my first painting) at its show at the Landing Dock, Gallery Up, Rock Hill, NC in December.  These new paintings began as 12 panels.  I am connecting the larger panel to the smaller one through both a visual and an esoteric manner - more conceptual representation of the gaps of memory and the juxtaposition of memory and reality.

Lastly, I am excited and obsessed with my continued exploration of the medium and how its organic nature lends itself to the process of building layers and meaning into the artwork.  These three panels are in different stages.  Like in Hebrew read from Left to Right - first two panels are prepped panels, the center two have been just started, and the last two are not quite finished.  Half-dozen layers of wax, etched and rubbed with oil paint on the larger panel and a transfer of one of my drawings on the lower panel.  The drawing was reproduced in a variety of ways onto the smaller panels. I am working in inorganic materials and have further experimented with the medium.  I have learned to torch and set the panels on fire further creating a controlled chaos in surface expression.  Wild! Really liked it.  I will be added materials, pouring wax on top of the materials and then pulling them through the wax to create and emotive tactile surface - Pictures to be forthcoming. 

No Opening Reception - Closing Reception is being tentatively planned.

Holiday Break & Happy New Year

In case you are all wondering, took the typical break between semesters.  I was very creative at home, baking, cooking, and doing the domestic thing.  I am looking forward to getting back in the studio next week - just hope THEY put the heat on and that my artwork didn't crack because of the cold.  So updated imagery forthcoming along with new work status updates.

Rock Paper Scissors 3rd Show3rd Floor Student Gallery McLaurin Hall, Winthrop U, Rock HillOpening 11/23 @ 6:30 Show Runs 11/23-12/7

Kitchen Art - to explore the medium and to create something for this show at the school.  I actually enjoyed the process because I practice'd drawing lines into the encaustic and then trying different methods to create a variety of line.  I love the layers reacting to each other.  I was not so pleased with the scripting of text but I think if I carved rather than wrote the text I may get a better end result.  I am not sure about adding text/typography into my encaustic artwork like I have with my collages....need to think of how to do it

Please come to this show too - in order of priority, would love it if you looked at the first show at the Loading Dock, it runs until 12/7 and is the first of the series of Holocaust work; the drawing at CCDS is fun; this one is just an encaustic sample but fun as well.  CCDS show runs until 12/13 and this one runs until 12/7.  Constructive comments always welcome.

Rock Paper Scissors 2nd ShowCharlotte Country Day School, Charlotte NC Opening 11/20 @ 3:30 & 6 pmShow runs 11/29 - 12/13

I framed this and hung this drawing from my graduate drawing class this summer.  It is a type of technique adapted from David Dodge Lewis.  I want to explore this in my drawing.  I hope to do more of this and work with the figure with an instructor, S. Simmons at the school who works with the figure from the inside as well as the outside...

Anyway I thought it was the strongest of the half dozen drawings and I wanted to be able to contribute to the shows though trying to meet this (these) requirement(s).  I have to admit even though I am being driven crazy painting for the shows instead of painting for me...I am enjoying working with the other grad students and we are getting to know each other - and it is outside of being stuffed in our studios - as well as knowing the instructors who are coming to see it.

COME TO THE OPENING!  WE WILL HAVE TWO: 1ST  ON FRIDAY 11/20 @ 3:30 PM & 2ND @ 6 PM - Refreshments will be provided