Monkey Bowl bathed in light

It still needs a few little things attended to but basically it is done! I really had to emerse myself completely to find my way out. In the process I discovered the only way was through wax. I took a few days to learn about encaustic painting. I learned that combining beeswax, Dammar crystals and Milk Paint on a electric pancake griddle was the secret behind the illusive curtain of Encaustic painting! So I pulled that curtain back and set up shop--in my Kitchen.

Those of you who have followed my progress over the past few years know that bees have been major players in my world. Finding this way to utilize beeswax is both thrilling and meaningful. I have been using Milk Paint recently and have already painted a few sculptures with it. The fact that this path is continuing and being enriched, is taking it to the next level. The third ingredient is Dammar Crystals (pine tar resin), my old friend, I have been painting with you for years and now I find a new and exciting way to keep you on my team!

I painted all the pieces with my homemade encaustic wax. The inside of the main bowl being the most layered. As you can see it is quite translucent and the light brings the piece to life. I achieved this by adding many layers of wax and buffing the crap out of it, between layers. I joked that I was "buffing my Monkey" a little sexual humor to keep me going. I rubbed the heck out of it for days and days!

But the translucent bowl would be nothing if not contrasted by the solid white interior of the middle Monkeys body. It looks like there is a light in that vessel. The little man is reaching upward from the center, with his Micky Mouse ears on. From where he stands he can only see the swirling translucent walls of the main bowl that look like a stormy sky.

I won't lie there were times I got lost--lost hope, but I kept going and surrendered to it in the end. Let go of ego, all thoughts and control, no "I" just "it". I set out to make a sacred object and I feel I did. There are no short cuts. I gave everything I have.

The fourth ingredient is love.

Onward with gusto!

Yay Kirsten!

As readers of this blog know I am represented at the Eric Schindler Gallery here in Richmond. There is a cool story on my favorit gallery director Kirsten Grey here! She is all that and more! I feel very lucky to have her in my life and honored to be in her stable of artists.

On the subject of local publicity, I got a little myself this month. You can find the photo above in the September/October issue of R-Home magazine on page 24. They were looking for work under 300. I am currently making some things that will fit that bill. But none of it is camera ready. I dug up a few older things and they chose this little painting I did way back in the 80's. It is a sweet little painting and for 200 bucks it could be yours! If anyone out there would like to come by for a studio visit and search my archive, there are some deals to be had. Kirsten also has some drawings and small wire sculptures of mine at the gallery that are under 100 bucks--yes it is true!

Onward!

What's up Wednesday

I have been trying to post a view of what is going on in the studio each Wednesday. Today I have a new painting to share. It is small, 9x12 and painted with Milk Paint on wood then sealed with Sweet Orange Oil. It was my first attempt at a Milk Paint painting. I like working with Milk Paint, but each time I stray further from Oil Paint I feel I am actually pulling myself closer to coming back to it. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.

I started painting the Monkey Bowl, this is just the first coat of many. Adding color to sculpture completely changes how I see the piece and relate to it. It completely changes everything, leaving me to wonder how will it all end. I do love the Mickey Mouse ears! One thing I am sure of-- the little man is going to have red underpants...

Onward Monkeys!

Mickey Mouse ears

Little man with Mickey Mouse ears--also Monkey heads in progress and tape butterfly


Little man in body of Gourd Monkey without his Mickey Mouse ears


my head

A few nights back the dogs started going nuts barking at something in the studio. They were adamant that something was in there or something was out there in the darkness. After waiting out the barking and urgency for a while I reluctantly got up to check out the situation. I found Frankenstein at the window barking at something in the yard. However, Bella was turned in the opposite direction barking at the wall. She was distressed and certain that something was there, something I needed to be protected from. I tried to reassure her but with no luck. I went back to the window and saw nothing in the yard. When I looked at the wall Bella was barking at from my place by the window I saw it!

The light in the front yard was shining upwards through the window and casting a shadow on the wall. I have been wearing my hair up in two knots on my head most of this hot Summer. The way the shadow captured my silhouette made it look like a big Micky Mouse head floating on the wall! Next to Mickey was a giant Bat head--Frankenstein's shadow!

The other day while I was trying to make a little animal to fit under the shell, the little man who lives in the Gourd Monkey is standing on, I made up some Mickey Mouse ears for him to wear. I love the Mickey Mouse ears they are a separate piece and also fit on the tip of the Monkey Bowls tail! Funny how these things happen.

-Oh, and for now the light in the front yard stays off!

Onward!
Onward Monkeys!

Whats going on in the yard?

In spite of the harsh hot Summer weather, the garden is doing great!


The Cone flowers died off early this year due to the extreme heat. However, these dried up flowers are the favorite food of the Goldfinch. The bright yellow birds look like new blooms, as they feast on yummy flower seeds.


Garden Bell adds an element of good luck and a haunting ring when the winds kick up.


I have named 2010 the year of the vine--all my vine plants seem to be thriving this year. I mixed some fruit bearing plants in with the decretive ones this year. Check out the squash vine growing over the arch in the flower garden-pretty and practical.


another vine in the garden is this Luffa plant. I trained the vines to grow around the birdbath. It helps to shade the water and keep it cool during the hot days of Summer.

Check out a few more photos of the garden here.

Onward Monkeys!

frankenstein Friday-Now with extra Bella

Happy Friday the Thirteenth--no worries it's just another day of play punctuated by naps for the pups.

Onward Monkeys!

Onward Monkeys!

Onward Monkeys! The Russian Nesting Doll-Monkey Bowl is coming together step by baby step. I had my little 7 year old friend come over and give me some tips. I asked what color the bowls should be and she thought it over good and hard and said I needed to first paint it all white then dust it off. Then it should be: every color! She is right it needs to be simplified and painted all white before I can even think about color. Cleaning up all the dust will clear my vision to go forward. She also gave me another great tip, that I should make another critter to go under the shell that the little man is standing on! Great idea kid! Onward I go fine tuning and getting ready to paint it white. The dogs are doing their part in keeping the studio a calm and productive space, with their snores.

Onward monkeys!