A Year of Painting

As the year is about to end, most of us review what 2016 has held for us.

For me health issues threw a few bumps in the road. The 5 months of shingles lasted into 2016 and then there were 3 issues with an abscessed tooth within 5 months.

Dec 28th while trying to make a left turn a truck crashed into the back of my car. I walked away shaken but unhurt. The car is a mess. The complicated negotiations with the police, the insurance agent and the other driver took 6 1/2 hours.

BUT, I am grateful for all the blessings that continue to flow to me; family, friends, clients, my spiritual path, a gallery show, a successful sale of paintings in July, and we have a precious new puppy;

 I completed 2 series, a portrait commission, some abstracts on paper and continue to teach private students who want to make encaustic painting that are more than just a nice surface:

Below are samples from the 2016 series and paintings:

commission

encaustic on paper

From Women Who Changed The World

Grandma's Picture In The Attic, form the series, "Memories"

Metamorphosis

From the series, "Pensive"

Birth, Death and Resurrection - of a Painting

I claimed and thought I was finished with the  series, Women Who Changed the World, but I was convined by another artist that the last painting I made when I was in pain, just didn't hold up to the rest of the series. I had to admit that it really didn't.

Now that I am feeling well, I decided not only to paint another Rosa Parks, but included a Mexican women in the series. That painting will shared in another bog posting.

Here is the first Rosa Parks

Next step; I asked my studio assistant to scrape off the oil paint, down to the encasutic.

Now, the new Rosa Parks is finished:

Thanksgiving, 2015, I am grateful.

In San Miguel de Allende, where I live, I am spending my 12th Thanksgiving out of the U.S.

Many times, I have joined friends in restaurants, once or twice I made a traditional Thanksgiving meals, including the turkey, just for the smell, and my carnivore friends. I have have been a vegetarian for over 30 years, but on this day, I miss the aroma of turkey.

This year, it will be simple and small, my wonderful neighbors will come here for a feast for just 3 people. I can't imagine better company on this day. I am grateful for this couple everyday of the year.

To get into spirit of the day, I have been listening to NPR with tales and reports of Thanksgiving in the United States.

I am grateful for the people I am privileged to meet through my encaustic workshops. I have been teaching this technique for about 10 years and have shared it with almost every artist who had an interest in San Miguel. The last year, I have had mostly students from the States and Canada who are visiting this beautiful town. My classes have been predominately private. I enjoy  these especially  because I can focus on just what techniques the artist wants to experience and get to know the student personally. These interesting people, mostly women, are people I would never have met without the Internet and teaching.

I am grateful for my returning health and energy. And so much more.

Lucy was here Tuesday

Carol had her day, Wednesday