Think You Can't? Think Again!...

I know we're not quite at the end of the year yet (it won't be long!) but things are pretty manic in the shed as I try desperately to finish up for my last three outings of 2019. Although I love my shed/studio dearly, it's a pretty miserable place to be as the clocks change and it gets dark and damp and cold, so, to date I only have 2 boards, 3 bowls,10 houses and a partridge in a pear tree... left to do before I admit defeat and retreat to the house to veg in front of the telly.

It's been a fantastic year all round in my little encaustic world. Considering my journey into encaustic art only began two years ago I am amazed at how far things have come in such a short time.

Being self taught (I like a challenge...) it seems like only yesterday when I almost set fire to myself doing my first shellac burn - eek! (I can control things better now...).

It wasn't quite this bad!!

I have found my own way of working, my own style (my own voice as they say in the art world, they sure like to coin a phrase...) and am so thankful when I look around my studio to see piles of wax and boards and finished works where last year I was working hand to mouth so to speak - buying only what I needed when I needed it and when I could afford it. I now have something closely resembling a "real" encaustic art studio...if I could only contain the mess...

One of this year's highlights (apart from making the most money I have ever made at an event during Artwalk Porty 2019 www.artwalkporty.co.uk, not to mention over 700 visitors in 4 days!) was when I was asked to write a piece about encaustic art for Jackson's www.jacksonsart.com, (the wonderful company that supplies me with encaustic materials - hard to come by in the UK!). You can find the article here:

I've learned how to make my own encaustic medium, where to source supplies, the best boards and materials to use, how to wield a blowtorch with confidence, work in 3D, use pigments, love abstract, experiment with gay abandon, mix paint - and how to do a shellac burn without endangering the neighbourhood. Testament to anyone out there who thinks they can't do it - whatever "it" is!

I'm looking ahead to 2020 with the usual plethora of ideas milling about in my head so watch this space - if 2019 is anything to go by, there should be lots to fill it!