Small Squares

I have long wanted to paint a series of wood panels and combine them to create one large piece of
art...can I just say that I have determined that procrastination is a form of self-torture?  Sometimes you just have to do it...stop thinking or planning so much and just get it done!  Thankfully, the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge gave me a kick in the pants, and, after all, I already had the small wood panels and the piece of plywood (24 x 24) that the 6x6 panels will ultimately be attached to.

I prepped five panels and have four of the five complete; tonight I will gesso another five.  I'm working with oil and cold wax, which is quickly becoming my favorite medium. Here are two of my "completed" panels...they may change a bit as things come together. 

The Space Between

What art offers is space — a certain breathing room for the spirit. ~John Updike

When I titled this painting, for some odd reason, I was thinking about the breath.   Specifically, the pause between the inhale and exhale--that space where consciousness expands and infinite possibility exists.   I believe that when you pay attention to the breath you become a witness to spirit--your spirit.  I also believe that creating art in any form offers us the same glimpse.  

"The Space Between" is my day five painting for the 30 day painting challenge.  

I Am Seeking Too

I recently discovered the journals of Elisabeth Couloigner on Pinterest, specifically her "I'm Searching" series.  I am captivated by the simplicity of color and texture that she employes, and have come to realize that it's those very things in art that really makes my heart sing.  It's why I love abstracts so much, especially those that lean toward the subdued.  I try to get colorful, but it just doesn't feel right to me--maybe down the line, who knows!

At any rate, I have been inspired to start my own journal in response to Elisabeth's "I'm Searching."  I've actually been looking at just this kind of thing to use as a way to start my day or before a painting session, so I dug out a moleskine journal, and "I Am Seeking Too" was born.  Interestingly, it's the one place that I enjoy using acrylics these days--I think it's the surface of the journal paper.  The real win, however, is that I'm playing, learning, and gathering ideas for future abstracts all at the same time. I will be using some of my daily journal paintings for part of the 30 day challenge I'm participating in.  I really, really want to keep up with everyone, and this is one way that I know I can. 

There All Along

"When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about." Rumi

I've decided to participate in a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge via the Artists helping Artists podcast. While they won't all be encaustic, I'm happy to have this painting to present for day one. I basically stepped away from encaustics for the month of August and, instead, focused on oil and cold wax. It was a good decision, I believe. Coming back to it today felt good and right. 

"There All Along" 8x8 encaustic, oil, and image transfer on cradled birch panel.