Cloudy Pacific

"Cloudy Pacific"

Image size 15.5" x 15.5"

Encaustic

I'm doing a series of encaustics that are this size.  I've already finished two and plan to have ten when I'm done.  They will all be  images of oceans, skies and weather.  I've always liked a square format for paintings and encaustic is a great medium for these subjects.

I enjoy painting clouds in any medium but in encaustic they are really fun.  The white encaustic paint is extremely opaque (of course) and I love how I can break it apart with the heat gun.  By layering the colors and clear medium, I can get a really fun effect.  It doesn't show here in the photo, but adds a lot to the artwork when you see it in person.  And, as I've said before, the shine that you get when you polish the wax adds to the wonderful effect.  I'm always attracted to shiny things.  ; )

I need to get back to my watercolors but am having too much fun with encaustics.  Also, my studio is torn up because I'm painting the walls and baseboards.  Every flat surface is covered right now so it's hard to find a place to work.  Since I do the encaustics in the garage, it's been easier to find a place to work, although even out there, flat surfaces are at a premium!  At my house, if a surface is flat, it's usually covered with stuff!

Hopefully, I will finish painting my studio and putting things away this week so I'm able to start some more watercolor paintings.  That doesn't mean I will stop using the encaustics.  Now that the holidays are over, I'm hoping to spend much more time painting in every medium!

Landslide

"Landslide"

Image size 7" x 7"

Watercolor, collage and encaustic

I started this by attaching rice paper in some areas.  Then, I used watercolor and finished by giving it a coat of clear encaustic medium and adding some detail with oil pastel.  Once I fused the encaustic, the pastel became permanent.

Even with the wax coating, the collage texture still shows and gives an interesting effect.  Also, because of the encaustic, the surface can be very shiny or have a dull waxy finish.

Flat Line

"Flat Line"

Image Size 6" x 18"

Encaustic

Finally, I'm able to post this painting.  This is another encaustic, also done on the chipboard to give it that extra texture.  I also added some oil pastel line work which doesn't show up much in this photo. 

Encaustic paintings have so much movement and depth.  I'm really loving this medium!

I have no internet on my computer and can't figure out a way to access my photo I took on my phone to post here so I will have to wait until the tech comes out to fix my internet to post this week's  photo -hopefully tomorrow.

Global Warming

"Global Warming"

Image Size 20" x 14"

Encaustic

I completely forgot about posting this yesterday!  It's been done since last Wednesday so it wasn't on my radar.  You all know how busy everyone gets this time of year so that is my only excuse.

I painted this on a piece of wood that I think is called 'chipboard'.  It has a wonderful texture and pattern that add to the piece.  Because the wax is translucent, the texture is subtle.  I want to do a painting on this surface using acrylic paints and give it a coat of glossy medium first and leave some of the surface unpainted so that the texture really shows.