this question comes up often...

You know... I hear this question quite often.

Sometimes I get so involved in what I am doing/creating that I don't even realize 

that I have not shared.  

My intention is to be more mindful of that. 

After all, the purpose of this blog is about sharing my creative journey.

Just know that I am in my studio daily, unless I'm with my GRANDkids.

I have several projects started, these the ones I have completed.

       

                                                           

        

My customer, Debbie, requested I create a way for her to give photos as a gift and not just in a frame.  

She shares my belief that precious photos should be displayed and not just stored on a phone or in a box somewhere only looked at occasionally.

The first 3 are fused to 1/4" MDF board - the front stippled using matte varnish- there is a wire for hanging.

The photo below was fused to a 1" wood block.

I created a textured back because it will be sitting in a easel.

                    

Stay tuned for what's to come.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU! 

custom art for a special day

Recently I was asked by one of my customers, Debbie,  to make a custom piece of art

that she would be giving as a wedding gift.

Her niece had gotten engaged in France, which was special to her.

My customer, Debbie, wanted a way for them to remember that monumental time in their life.
Thus she asked me to create a piece of art using their photo.

This was taken right after he "popped the question".

Here is finished piece using encaustic wax as my medium.

 Here's what I did:

I got a photo enlargement of the village in the background

Adhered it to my substrate

Applied multiple layers of encaustic wax and fused in between each layer

I got a photo enlargement of the engaged couple and cut it out

Burnished it to the background

Applied multiple layers of encaustic wax and fused in between each layer

Added oil paint in areas for accent and enhancement, fused it

I used PanPastel for the sky, fused it

Applied a layer of encaustic wax medium, fused it

I did a stippling technique for texture for the greenery

Followed by etching areas of the buildings

Oil paint was applied in the crevices, then fused it to close the openings from the etching

Applied a layer of encaustic wax medium, fused it

The piece had to rest for a several days before I could move on to framing

Needless to say... Debbie, my customer, loved the piece.

I do, too!

Honorable Mention

Yesterday I picked up my art from the Aurora Public Arts Commission where I entered this piece for 

The Creative Muse exhibit. 

I was excited, like a little kid, when I saw the yellow ribbon for Honorable Mention by my art.

I have found another love

I have found a another love (artistically speaking that is) ... ENCAUSTIC MEDIUM.

I have played with it off and on in the past but I never was serious about it.

Not certain what prompted me to pull out my supplies out again but I am sure glad I did.

I am having a blast.

I am learning lots.  What I am learning I have been sharing with my friend, Christine.  Together we have been reveling over the outcomes.  Almost like little kids. (This kind of excitement is ten times more enjoyable when you share it with someone.  Which is why I love to teach!)

In May 2016 I had created this piece I titled, "Balance".  I liked it yet I felt it was missing something.  Last week while I was learning more about how to use encaustic medium I pulled this piece out.  I began adding layers of wax and fusing.  I noticed the piece was changing and appeared to be coming more alive.   I recalled the flower presses I had  stowed away in my basement from previous years when I pressed flowers as a hobby.  I brought them upstairs from storage.  I began adding leaves, flowers, and more wax to the piece.  

What a transformation!

                                                      Let me show you.    

           

By applying encaustic medium to this piece it has more interest, depth and richness. 

Encaustic is a keeper and will be a technique I will use more often in my art.

 I finished this piece yesterday.   It's of my oldest sister Judy when she was, I believe, in 3rd grade.  I used encaustic medium to layer the photo and flowers.

One of my desires is to develop creative ways for people to display photos.

To get them out of storage boxes and put them where they can be enjoyed.

To learn more about:

• Scheduling a time to create art with me
• Ordering a custom made piece of art

Contact me:  teresa@teresacashart.com

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

What a coincidence! Or was it?

Last night I was researching encaustic techniques on the internet looking to expand my knowledge.

I came across a video of this man who randomly applied oil pastels to the bottom of an iron and then painted landscape scenes.

I thought that was very cool.    

As I continued my search I discovered, Lana Khavronenko.  

With an iron and oil pastel she was creating portraits.  

I was blown away.  

I was captivated the rest of the evening watching her videos.  

Here is one of them so you can see what I am talking about.

This morning, on FaceBook,  I read a post from the fellow artist that I admire.  

She raved about another artist and then shared a video by this artist.   

Lo and behold the video was of  Lana Khavronenko.  

The same artist I was enamored with the night before.  

What a coincidence!  Or was it?

If you know me at all you know that I took it as a message from the Universe.

So........ today I used the technique Lana shared as my inspiration.

This is what I did for Day 17.

I pulled out my little Tulip iron, grabbed my GRANDdaughter's crayons,  and and off to my studio I went.

It was a little tricky in more ways than one. 

I kept remelting something I had already done.

After I was finished I scratched into it with a carving tool.

This technique is a keeper.

One I will continue to practice over and over gain.

Tomorrow I will be on a quest to find a small iron with a pointed tip.

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

girlfriends

I had set an intention to draw a girl per day,  in one hour,  and add her to this journal spread.  

one girl in one hour-four days

I have been one very busy lady.  

Along with all my other items on my agenda I will admit to being a little hesitant to commit to this.

Yet I am so glad I did!

I have stretched myself creatively.

Which stirred my juices to learn other things.

Like encaustics...  I had taken a class with Crystal Neubauer several years ago.  She was an excellent teacher.  I love the whole process.  Bought some supplies then never bothered to use them.  

That was until recently.  

I did a loose drawing of a woman face with charcoal.  Applied joint compound around her face-oil painted on top of the joint compound

charcoal drawing
joint compound
oil painted
layer of encaustic wax
scrapping away
more layers of encaustic wax

collage
layer of encaustic wax
stamping flowers and adding color with PanPastel
scrapping away
more layers of encaustic wax
more stamping more Pan Pastels

The point I am making (for myself and you, too,  if it applies) is to continue to challenge myself to creatively grow!

Today was the day

I previously attended a brief workshop, I've watched videos, I read thru a book by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, I purchased supplies, and I had made 3 pieces on 8"x8" watercolor paper.  I was ready to jump in to add encaustic to these pieces.  I set up my work station in the kitchen and set forth on my journey to learn.   I emphasize the word learn because that is what I did.  Or, at least, I began to learn.  There is so much more about this wonderful technique and I am up for it.  At this time I did alot of wax on, scraping wax off because I wasn't sure of what I was doing.  It was then I started chanting my mantra in my head "there's no mistakes in art" and I began to relax and play.

Here are the before and after pictures.  Stay tuned for more samples as I keep soaking up more then trying it out.

just had to show you

I ordered a handbound book made by Erin Keane, she is a creative Late Bloomer who was featured in August.  I got it today in the mail.  My neighbor, Maureen, was with me when it came and we both squealed with delight.  It is sooo frickin cute!

she does custom work

Erin did all of the work herself, all the way to the binding of the book.  Just look at the artistry in the threading of the pages together.  Erin describes herself as being "careful and deliberate".  Which now I can attest to.  She applied one of my favorite art pieces to the top of the book.  The front and back of the book is wood and the process she used over the wood is encaustic.  The word “encaustic” means “to burn” and an encaustic artwork involves molten beeswax resulting in luminous glows, textured surfaces, and an ethereal sense of depth.  It is an ancient technique that has experienced a revival in contemporary art. The size of the journal is 4.5" x 3.5" which is perfect to sit on my coffee table.  I will be filling it full of positive saying that ring true for me.  I'll just sip on my tea and read memorable messages.  What a perfect place to showcase those tid bits of encouragement.

Check out Erin's website  http://www.art-is-try-studio.com

Makes me want to see what I can make using encaustic techniques.