Eleanor Roosevelt, A WomanWho Changed the World

I am happy with what is happening in the studio with this new series. This painting of Eleanor Roosevelt is finally working the way I want it to. These portraits are painted over abstract encaustic paintings that don't please me anymore. I have to fuse at least the first layer of oil into the encasutic to assume a permanent bond. I do wear a heavy mask while fusing, since the fumes can be toxic. I then can scrape though the oil to the encasutic base.
Here is the process:

Finished painting

Cold Wax and Oil

I made 6 more portraits, but not for the show. They are cold wax and oil. A very different process. I hadn't worked in cold wax for ages and I had to re-think the process. I haven't seen many (or any) portraits done in cold wax and oil, just abstracts.
If you know of any artists working figuratively in this medium, please let me know.

The rest of this day, I will be working in the studio, cleaning and arranging for the show on Sunday. NO painting. I need a break.

Both Cynthia (Hamilton) and I will have our studios open Sunday and there will be a variety of work, sizes, techniques and prices along with champagne and pop corn

April 17, Process of a Portrait

I had several faces started and now am finishing them. It is time to start new ones. I have been receiving some wonderful photos and others make me think, "There are visual people....and others surely have other talents" because some of the photos I get, really would not transfer into interesting paintings. But since this is my project, I get to choose which faces capture my interest. I do appreciate receiving the photos.

Portrait Painting, April 14, 2015

I appreciate all the photos that people are sending to me. It seems to be time to specify what I am looking for again. No babies, small children, grinning smiles, small, or cloudy snapshots with lots of background. I will choose the faces that have interesting character and clear details.

Please keep sending photos

Finished painting

The beginning of 3 paintings

I had new lights installed in the studio yesterday and they really help remove the glare I was fighting. They are  halogen tract lights and now each painting is evenly lighted.

brilliant use of photos collages and encasutic

Cynthia Hamilton, my daughter, also works in encaustic - completely different from how I work.
I am impressed how she can combine photos and collage into a interesting  story- telling

surfaces - not just sticking a photo in the middle of the board and painting a frame around it. To see her whole series of "The Brides and the Bees", click on the link: http://youtu.be/HvbXfCqjrKs 

Puebla visit #2

Inside the Museo de Arte Contemporaño

 Today I continue to share photos of my visit to Puebla.

The city impressed me as an oasis from the cacophony of big cities.

Like most cities and towns in Mexico, the parks welcomed both young lovers, families and elderly adults. I can learn how to slow down from this culture.

A one person show

The combination of the ancient and contemporary in front of the museum

The park in front of the museum. Again the ancient ruins are incorporated into the setting

The side street entrance to the museum

Another example

The tranquil park is the setting for the contemporary art museum.