Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Encasutic online workshop - 2nd class

Like a stained canvas, we will rub oil paint on a white substrate using milk paint or encaustic gesso as a white base. Then we manipulate, soften and change the energy of the soft colors until we have an abstract painting that satisfies us. Next, we create a flat, sooth encaustic surface over the oil stained board. It is possible to add stenciling, raised encaustic drawings for texture or collaged dry, organic material on the smooth surface. For more examples of this process, check my website, www.ezshwan.com under the heading Soul Whispers.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Online encasutic painting workshops



 
examples of layering, drawing on white surface, and drawing with a hot pen
 

I have been a working artist for over 50 years and the last 13 years, I have been focusing on the encasutic technique I have a passion for this medium and finding new ways to include painting, drawing and and personal discoveries using encaustic wax. I have shown in galleries internationally. My artwork has been featured in four books about encaustic art, as well as writing Painting Portraits in Encaustic , (Blurb) The Power of Color and Fireworks at Dawn, An Artist's Memoir, (Amazon)


                           Advanced Encaustic Painting Workshops


I am creating workshop videos showing techniques to launch students into a solid understanding of encaustic painting. Join me, ( when they are completed) as I explain and demonstrate various advanced encaustic techniques in 9 classes.Right now, I am taping one class a day and will let you know when they will be available.

If you have already taken a workshop from me or another teacher, you will find, these videos will help you recall the techniques that I have mastered and shared in my popular encaustic painting workshops. For some students, who are not able to attend a workshop, the videos may be a replacement for a workshop and may help them to take their encaustic painting to a higher level.
                                                  Class 1


Although I have designed these video classes for artists who have some experience working in encaustic, if you are new to the medium, I will cover the making of the medium, paint, heat sources and supports and suggest supplies and tools to get you started and ready to participate.


In this class, I show my encaustic studio setup, and the beginning of a painting. Using thin coats of encaustic paint, pigment stick, ink and hot pen, we will layer translucent, luminous layers of medium over a white substrate, using our marks to create depth and active images. Learn how to smooth the surface and build layer after layer to create luminosity. Lastly, we will build raised lines with the encaustic pen to create more movement and contrast in texture.












Saturday, July 27, 2013

Culture and style in Mexico City

I couldn't resist adding one more photo of these beautifully trained, tranquil dogs.
Book stores are alive and well in Mexico City. This one is different: bars, restaurants, art on all 3 floors.
No excuse for not keeping in shape with open air exercise machines, free to the public at Parque Mexio      


These will be the last posting of Mexico City for a while - at least until I go back again. I couldn't get these images in sequence today, but that is a bit like the city itself. It is loaded with sensory and visual stimulus.
A paining from an exhibition at Casa Lamm

Casa Lamm, across from our hotel. Before boarding the bus home, I stopped in to see the latest gallery shows
Art, books, music, food and drink at this place down the street from our hotel



Towering walls of books


















Friday, July 26, 2013

More photos of Mexico City

Me in front of some street art


Sunday afternoon in Chapultapec Park

Colorful non-food. Unfortunately these are popular Mexican snacks, along with a big bottle of Coke

Taking a break in an open air bookstore and coffee shop in the park

More of the bookstore in the part

This is a mural on an entrance building to the Parque Mexico in Colonia Contesa

I try to visit this park every visit to D.F. It is tranquil, green and sweet smelling

another path in the park

The dog school in the park

If only humans could be so well behaved. There is not even a growl between all these different breeds.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

4 fabulous days in Mexico City.


My friend, Lena and I went to Mexico City for 4 nights and almost 5 days. We both love that city and immersed ourselves in seeing as much art as possible. Although we were prepared for rain everyday, it only drizzled in the evenings giving us glorious weather to explore and enjoy the days.

Friday, we took the luxury bus from San Miguel to D.F. and a cab to our hotel in Colonia Roma. After checking in, we headed to the Museo Frida Kahlo to see the new expansion and the collection of Frida's clothes, jewelry and shoes that was found locked away in a closet.



In Frida's garden



Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefono, sculpture in the courtyard

Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefono
3 artists' collaboration. many hundreds of match books Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefono
Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefono


I love this installation: wood, sand and paint




On the street before the performance


How can they dance like that on stilts?

The next day, Saturday,  we started with breakfast at Deliero, a fascinating cafe featuring organic, gourmet food and take out, where we had Greek baked eggs. That was a happy taste surprise. With full, satisfied stomachs we started our art fix at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefono. We spent a couple of hours there before heading to the Museo de la Ciudad  de Mexio just to time to catch the street parade of stilt walkers announcing the opening of the Laura Anderson Barbata show and performances. We are among the few Gringos in the huge crowd. The stilt walkers/ dancers were amazing and have performed in many countries including at Occupy Wall Street.

After being served a tequila, we met the artist Laura Anderson Barbata and headed to the El Cardinal restaurant for an long lunch and a glass of wine.

 Inside the galleries were the installations of traditional and non-traditional costumes.

Recovering our energy we went to the Museo de la Mujer. The women's museum. Although it is small and in a dilapidated neighborhood, it was a high light of my adventure. The videos were fascinating.

Dinner at Nonsolo, an Italian restaurant close to our hotel. Tasty pasta and 2 for 1 wine until 8pm.



Sunday was the day to visit the Museum of Modern Art. That always is a visual treat. The first new show was huge . Hundreds of masterful paintings and drawing of cadavers during and after autopsies. This woman artist certainly was accomplished technically, but I didn't feel the need to photograph any of that work. There were 2 more big shows plus the newly curated permanent collection.

At the MOMA -Alfonso Mena. I was inspired
Lena in front of a mirrored book installtion. MOMA


Lena resting in front of the Tamayo Museum
Entrance to the MOMA

We went on the Chalpultapec park and the MUaC museum in the afternoon. I'll post more photos tomorrow
















Tuesday, July 9, 2013

A Life Changing Experience

I just completed the 81st encaustic workshop I have given here in San Miguel. I hear myself saying, that is enough. I need time for my own work. I must invest weeks or months into creating my online workshops, and then something happens that touches my heart, like today, when Beth, who had never had a brush in her hands, and had considered herself to be completely non-creative, hugged me when she was leaving and said, "This has been a life changing experience."What a precious gift I have been given.

Transfers and collage

stencil and scraping

transfers, collage, stamping. oil glaze, charcoal
Because of illness, there were only 2 participants in this advanced workshop and it became a close sharing exchange. My workshops are in my home studio and it is an intimate setting.

The encaustic teaching experience has been a blessing in my life. I have met wonderful people and I have have hundreds of photos of them in photo books.

How long will I be able to stay away from teaching?



Here are some photos of the demos I made for this workshop. Check out the workshop blog to see photos of the work created. http:ezshwan.blogspot.com

Friday, July 5, 2013

Encaustic workshop magazine

I just finished a magazine showing you  what fun we have in the workshops that I have been giving here in Mexico for almost 9 years. Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://www.flipsnack.com/7CAFB586AED/f7nfd859