Friday, December 11, 2020

Geometric Encaustic Paintings

 


I just finished my latest encaustic painting, 32" x 40" .This one became geometric shapes expressing movement and volume. I didn't use tape, just a steady hand with the torch so the encaustic paint wouldn't run.

I used a hot pen to outline some of the shapes in Paynes Grey and a hearted spatula to smooth some areas.

Going through my photos, I noticed that I had made  other encaustic geometric paintings la few years ago and a couple of cold wax ones. 

encaustic on cradled board, 32" x 40"

Cold Wax on board

cold wax on bpard

I did use tape on this one, encasutic, 24" x 24"



Monday, November 30, 2020

Friday, October 30, 2020

New Encaustic Classes

 Where did the time go? I just realized that I haven't posted since August. Well. I was working on 12 new paintings and when I am involved in a series, I do forget about time. Check them out here: http://www.ezshwan.com/transformed-portraits.html

. The last advanced encaustic techniques videos were made 7 years ago and they are still valuable and instructive since all the basic instructions remain the same.   https://vimeo.com/ondemand/4167  I am missing my students and I am planning on creating new online classes with techniques that I haven't taught before

What I will be offering in the new classes:


Basic studio practices

Making milk paint for a white base for encaustic

Handling the heat source to get the results you want. 

Water color underpainting 

Rice paper collage

Drawing with a hot pen

Mark making with oil sticks, China marker, India ink, charcoal

Creating a smooth surface 

Texturizing with carving and/or water

How to make and apply a laser transfer

Stenciling with encaustic and/or cold wax, pan pastels

Using translucent layers

Cold wax over encaustic

Composition

Mixing colors


Benefits of an online class:

You do not have to buy all the supplies at first

You can stop any time without missing anything. 

Hours of unlimited access for a one time charge of $125 .

Private Zoom classes to work together one on one, and a critique, of your work, One hour for $50. 


If you are in San Miguel we could also plan a in person class. See video



Monday, August 24, 2020

Are you feeling anxious and/or lonely?

 We all are experiencing different emotions, moods and. thought at this challenging time.

I am curious. How are you are coping? 

It hasn't been particularly difficult for me, since I work at home and am used to alone time.

This has been a creative time for me. Some people I know are catching up on home repairs, putting together complicated puzzles, writing, gardening or drinking a lot.

Together with my daughter Cynthia Hamilton and another artist, Donna Stewart, we created a 2 week pop up store/gallery in a popular and beautiful restaurant in the center of San Miguel de Allende.

I am here today, meeting new people - with careful social distancing and wearing masks. These masks, by Maskology, https://www.facebook.com/maskology.online/ are one of a kind, beautiful, 3 layers with a built in filter. It is an interesting experience, including a few critics of mask wearing. I believe Mexican have a very difficult time with social distancing, hugging and avoiding festive gathering. I miss that too.


The photos below show our space 



Here are a couple of Donna Stewart's abstract paintings;




What will I do next week? I hope to redesign my website and continue posting paintings on online gallery sites.



Thursday, June 18, 2020

I Want to Share My Encaustic Experience

I really miss teaching encaustic workshops. I started teaching over 15 years ago here in San Miguel de Allende, MX.

Staying at home has not been hard for me, since I like the quiet, catching up with all the things that needed action, like painting the kitchen and organizing every painting in the storage stacks. But and it is a big but, I miss connecting with other artists and students who came to my classes. I met wonderful people and many of them became lasting friends.

Monday, I had my first private introduction to encaustic class on Zoom. It was great. We covered a lot, had a demo and answered any and all questions. I continued to suggest options afterward by email.

Please check out the possibility of joining me online , I have had 20 years of encaustic experience and I love to share.
click on the link below for details.

Here are some samples of my encaustic work; all have been sold.


Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Much More Than Learning A Technique

I have been doing a lot of teaching lately; not only encaustic, but also cold wax and oil, drawing and painting portraits.

In all my classes, I not only teach you a technique, but also composition, seeing shapes, color mixing and more.

Se some recent examples of student work:
This is the result of the first two days of the intro to encaustic

Impressive work after the first 2 days. She made about 5 paintings

Lots of encaustic and tools are available

A lovely charcoal drawing from one of my young students

Another young student is learning to paint portraits in oil. This was a challenging one

A wonderful professional artist add the cold wax and oil technique to her list of tools.

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Is It Easy Being Green?

Latest in my color series: GREEN
 I remember Kermit the Frog's problems with being green, but green is the color of the heart chakra. You may remember that I mentioned that I had been a student of the power of color for years, taught color seminars for Ethan Allen stores and wrote a book, "The Power Of Color, available on Kindle.

This one is titled, Listen to "The Love Within" 

Notice my bow to Klimt; gold and many patterns

Lots of carving, hot pen build up and gold leaf.

Green is the master healer. It suggests balance, love and  restoration. It is the color absorbed by the heart center and strongly influences the heart and nerves. The green ray brings a feeling of renewal, new life, freshness and brightness, rather like the awakening of spring.