June 21, 2007

The Wax Goes On...

I've just had the most marvelous experience... I 'virtually' went to the recent encaustics conference via Joanne Mattera's blog. Remember, she did a terrific wrap up of the Miami Basel event not long ago, and has done the same for the first annual gathering of wax enthusiasts (which she also instigated.)

If you know me at all, you know I'm not comfortable in large crowds... the hermit in me totally freezes up (the tiny little extrovert also inside carries on until fuel runs out so I don't miss everything, a good thing.) So my professed envy in my last blog entry has been soothed and I feel like I was there, at least in belated spirit. Fortunately, many of the participants also blog and I probably get to know them better through their journals than I would in person anyway.

So... here's where I make more promises to myself, which I promised I would stop doing but maybe later. The photo at left was taken just before I started digging for my brand new, never used encaustic light box which I bought from my friend and print mentor, Dorothy Furlong Gardner, as she began dismantling her "to die for" studio and head for smaller quarters. I pulled one print at Dottie's a few years ago (was always there for monoprints via the press, not wax) and didn't think much about the possibilities. But later, with the bokusho series in full swing, the juices started flowing...

Many might think this process was developed by Paula Roland but in fact, it was Dottie who developed it. Paula mentions this on her website: "Inspired by encaustic monotype methods developed by Dorothy Furlong Gardner, an artist-friend from New Orleans, Roland, after extensive research and experimentation, developed a curriculum that extends and contemporizes the process."

So there it is... clutter removed, space cleared... ideas still waiting for action. I'm gonna plug that baby in one of these days! I can already see it happening... I've got plans... stay tuned...

Oh, are you as tired of hearing me go on about my "plans" as I? Remembering how I often admonished my kids about their grandiose plans... don't tell me what you're GOING to do... tell me what you've already accomplished! Okay, I promise... just wanted to show you my shiny, unused toy/potential...


8 comments:

Walker said...

amazing what powerful energy jealousy creates, no? can't wait to see what's next in your studio! R

CMC said...

should be fun to watch........I haven't tried the wax on paper yet but have it in "plans"...there's that word again. Paper = framing, yuck!

Karen Jacobs said...

Oh Robin! You nailed it, though I hadn't thought of it that way. Yeah, Jealousy: the great motivator!

Cheryl, couldn't agree more about distaste for framing... hoping for a work-around.

CMC said...

Just happened to think...Ikinda remember you mentioning not using damar resin and using some carnuaba...why if I may ask did you prefer the carnuaba? So far I've just order medium already mixed to keep the fumes out of the studio.

Karen Jacobs said...

Early on, in my search for how-to, I picked up the info that damar contributed to harmful fumes at a certain temp. Considering the fact that it's in all the ready made encaustic materials, I suspect my info source was not exactly on target, couldn't say. However I learned to mix with a small proportion of the very hard carnuba wax in it's place and I've been satisfied with the hardness obtained. You may recall that I had a very bad experience with screen printing fumes back in the mid 80's and I certainly don't want a repeat.

CMC said...

Yeah... I remember you mentioning the screen printing problem.

However, I don't see any problem with damar resin in the research I've done so far...not the damar varnish.

Mostly, I'm finding the mixing of powdered pigments and temps above 220 being big problems. I find it curious that you don't mind mixing the powdered pigments.

So far, I've been advised it's not worth the savings to make your own medium unless you just need a special medium. I see in the future this might in be my thoughts anyway...a clearer medium for some projects.

Karen Jacobs said...

Ah... not the first time I've been at cross purposes! I use the powers veerry carefully, with a mask if I'm setting up a lot of colors. But once mixed in melted wax it's totally contained. When I was starting out there was little to choose from in the way of ready-mades. When I did try some premixed colors I couldn't see the advantage and I already had a stock of pigments. I'm sure I'd do it differently if starting out now.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy your work and your blog. Thanks for putting it out there!
Brenda