Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Continuing to build the surfaces . .

So here are some pics of the last paintings . . still evolving. I've let these rest a while to see where I want to go next. Looking at art on the web always helps me. When I see a painting that draws me in, I get ideas for compostion, tonal value, line, etc. I never copy. I examine what it is that I like about it, store it somewhere inside, take some time . . then . . "bam!" as Emeril, the chef says, something clicks, and I know where to go next. I will describe some of the mediums I've been using with the wax. The pic below has rubbings of oil pastel and oil pigment stick . . 

. . and some encaustic paint

The next image of the above has some verticle lines at the top and bottom in grey oil stick and graphite oil stick . . . 

BUT . . I didn't like these

I could have scraped them back (wax surface), but as they were rubbed into the surface and the underneath is a combination of wax medium and wax paint, I decided to go over the top ones in a warmer color . .

In this photo I toned down the brown in the top and bottom with clear encaustic medium and rubbed oil stick into the top vertical "lines" that were grey. I plan on "knocking" this back a lot, it's got "too much" for me.

The warmer oil stick I used looks like yellow . . but . . not in person. Coating an encaustic painting that has color on the surface with clear encaustic medium, depending on how thick of a coat is put on, starts to mute the surface. This is where much practice with applying the wax comes in. Too much wax will start to take the image away. Even though it's described as "clear" and is a vehicle for the paint, it is not totally clear when it's hardened (cold) . . kind of a slight haze. The beauty of working with this wax medium, to me, is that I can scrape back areas where the medium is too thick. It isn't easy to apply a smooth, thin coat of the medium. When I start a painting I have to decide how "bumpy" I will allow the surface to be, as I think of how I want it to look when finished. There are many, many decisions and techniques that are involved. But I love the tactile and reductive possibilities of this medium. It showed me how much I love process and actually showed me that I may get into assemblage at some point or perhaps a more 3 dimension surface.

I haven't worked on this next one as much as the one above. But I have decided where I will go next. This was the one I had used a tack iron on, then rubbed graphite oil stick into the surface.

This image shows some tan encaustic paint and more graphite oil stick.

The verticle section is encaustic paint and the hard edges are done with graphite oil stick. Anything that goes on the surface, from oil mediums to the wax paint and medium must be heated, or fused, into the surface that accepts it. I've found this is an art unto itself. It doesn't take much for the flame to alter the surface where no alteration is wanted!

I plan on muting the second horizontal line at the top as I explore altering the composition. Both will have one or more circles when done. To me, less is more, and it is a struggle for me to not add a "this" or a "that" . . "here" or "there."

Again . . just letting you in on the evolution of these two painting processes. In doing this, I realize I may risk the fact that what I consider as an unfinished surface may be more appealing than what the final result is. I consider this an exercise in artistic vulnerability . . something I value in other artists but find difficult to do. I've always been one to test the "edges of my safety zone". I so value vulnerability in others and the generosity of other artists sharing their process, that I have chosen to start pushing myself.  :-)

20 comments:

  1. I love what you are doing and am really interested in your process so thanks for this post. Sometimes it's a struggle to stop before one over works a piece but you're lucky that it is fairly easy to make changes or scrape back with this medium, which must take the pressure off. I'm enjoying the verticals especially in the last photo......In fact I love it just the way it is. Happy Thanksgiving Jann.

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  2. Love both of these pieces and also appreciate hearing your thoughts on your process. I'm liking the vertical & horizontal lines - but will be interested to see the additions of circles --
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. Thank you Jann for showing us your process and letting us in on your thought process as well. Enjoy your pushing!

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  4. bonjour Jann, il me semble qu'il y a aussi une recherche spirituelle dans vos toiles; à bientôt Jann

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  5. Hi Robyn, Judy, and Carole . .Thank you and I appreciate your visit and comments! I kind of like the first one as it is . . but not qute! . . et Thige . .
    Bonjour . . Merci pour votre visite et commemntaires. Vous etes correct et tres perspicace . . peut-etre parce que je suis un chercheur spirituel dans ma vie (non religieux. Je pense que tous les artistes sont. Je trouve que je dois mettre des cercles dans mon travail, donc j'ai simplement alle avec elle.

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  6. I've been looking forward to your next post! I love your patience with your process. And I love hearing about your process. Wishing I could just sit and watch from the back of the studio!

    Am loving the subtlety (as always) of your colours and how they flow over the canvas. And I am a big fan of texture, how colours seep into crevices and hollows so I love this about your work.

    Looking forward again to the next peek! Hope life is swimming along smoothly for you.

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  7. Hi Carol . . thanks for stopping and commenting. :) About patience . . that's an interesting perspective, as I don't consider myself patience, so I continue to learn. I've found that the surfaces kind of demand a "step back" and wait. Wax is SO tactile and luscious to me . . really seductive . . and I love oil.

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  8. beautiful abstracts; I love the muted, magic colours which create a mystic atmosphere.

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  9. very interesting and the effect is beautiful. :)

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  10. Glad to come upon your post tonight. Process is so important. Love what's happening here. What size are they? They feel big.

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  11. Hi Maggie . . glad you stopped by and thank you . . not too big . . 16 x 24

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  12. Hi Jann, as you can see I am slow at getting around the blog world.. too busy 'pinning' I think.. your encaustics are wonderful.. I pinned one of them recently and now others are repinning it-- I do not know if I am already following your blog yet or not. will have to check and make sure. happy holidays!

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    1. another find, donna...through the Grace...!!! i'll have to take some photographs of mine, oil sticks, and heat up the beeswax again.....inspiring!

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    2. Nancy . .Thank you . . and yes! Heat up the beeswax!!

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  13. Hi Donna. . Thank you and thank you for pinning . . nice to see repins.
    My visual focus on my paintings has shifted . . many unfinished. Lots of work to do . . after the holidays . . busy, busy . . can't wait to get back to finishing these surfaces.
    Have a wonderful holiday & happy pinning . . yours are amazing!! (As you can see I'm adicted!)

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  14. Bonsoir Jann, je viens vous souhaiter de bonnes fêtes, à bientôt.

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  15. Je vous remercie, Thige, et joyeuses fêtes à vous aussi! a bientot.

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  16. just learned of 'pinning' and about your blog through the GRACE of Donna Watson at Layers. another gift from her...to share her space with inspiring artists like you. i offer the humble rock!
    thank you for sharing your process with oil sticks and was. it will be helpful to me...i've made a few pieces, layering on beeswax...and will attempt once again. i've been busy with photography and also appreciate seeing what leah is doing with her work. all the best in the year of the water dragon!

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  17. Nancy . . yes, rocks are humble . . that's what I love about them. I've been thinking of doing encaustic on some rocks. Best wishes to you!

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