And this is why I teach...

Awesome students, courageous and creative...need I say more?

(Pictured above: Contemporary Encaustic Basics class at Schack Art Center, 11/11/11)

Warming up for tomorrow! 11/11/11

I am SO excited about my upcoming encaustic basics class due to start tomorrow on 11/11/11! I will be teaching it at the gorgeous NEW
Schack Art Center, located in downtown Everett, Washington. My class is full, and so is the amount of material we will cover. I think we will gear some encaustic collages toward this special date that will never take place again in our lifetimes! Here's to prime numbers and one's. (11/11/11 is also a "triple prime" equaling 33---is it not?!). 3 has always been my lucky number...I think great things are going to take place in this class!

11/11/11 Post "note": Sorry! 11/11/11 is NOT a triple prime...but it is a numerical palindrome AND  a "repunit"... (love how that word just rolls off the tongue).

Happy Halloweeeeeeen!!!!!

Squash creations by (left to right): Mitch, Jen, myself, Thomas...

Can you tell it's my favorite time of year? Long live Dia de los Muertos!

Some of my favorite "Dia de Los Muertos" (Day of the Dead) images from Oaxaca, Mexico and celebrations here in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. This holiday is truly a joyful celebration of deceased loved ones' lives, and I love everything about it. Wish I were in Mexico to witness this truly magical holiday...(miss the "killer" mezcal too, they sure know how to make it in Oaxaca).

More photos to come throughout the week!

Fall happenings...camping, sketching and studio tours.

Some of my work showing at Lynn Scott Studio during the Edmonds Art Studio Tour.

Art in the works...encaustic and mixed media.

I had the privilege of participating in the Edmonds Art Studio Tour at Lynn Scott Studio, September 17 and 18. We enjoyed varied weather (sun, rain, clouds) and LOTS of interested visitors. Lynn's entire house was filled with beautiful art, both upstairs and down! I demonstrated encaustic technique for most of the weekend, while gazing at the beautiful Puget Sound and Whidbey Island (through the studio window). What a treat!

There is A-R-T happening in my studio, in "fits and start" due to work and family obligations, but at least something is taking place! Shown above, I am experimenting with encaustic and mixed media (Pieces of Love and Happiness).

My partner, David, and I (and Chai the Bishon) recently went on a camping trip to Eastern Washington, to a beautiful lake near the small town of Winthrop. We were able to enjoy 80 degree weather, gorgeous "high and dry" views of desert, rolling hills and mountains. We had an abundance of quality sketching and reading time. We even caught a few trout! Chai had a wonderful time chasing ducks and fish, but kept "forgetting" how to swim...David even did some landscape sketching with me, under that beautiful tree by the lake.

But, in all this beauty, there is sadness this month. Chai (the Bishon) passed away on October 8. We are so thankful that we had one last camping trip together before she left this earth. I hope that she is chasing ducks and enjoying naps, wherever she is now...

Chai, 2000 (?)-October 8, 2011

Edmonds Art Studio Tour is coming this weekend!

This art assemblage piece that I just completed is ready to "debut" at the Edmonds Art Studio Tour, taking place this weekend, September 17 & 18, from 10-5! I will be showing at Lynn Scott Studio (#3 on the Tour map, see link below) along with Lynn Scott, Tracy Kay Fraker and Robin Westbrook.  When you arrive, you will see some amazing artwork! We will be showing acrylic and mixed media paintings, encaustic paintings, collage, assemblage, photography and hand-beaded jewelry. We will also be demonstrating various art techniques throughout the weekend. Edmonds is located approximately 30 minutes north of Seattle, and there is plenty to do (and taste there) this weekend. I'll see you there!

EdmondsArtStudioTour.com

Can you guess what this art piece is about? Come over to Lynn Scott Studio and share your thoughts...