Day 296: Can you say "Encaustics"?

Encaustic is painting with wax.

One of the oldest art forms, dating back to the Egyptians.

A long-time fan of mixed-media artist

Pamela Smith-Hudson, I joined this UCLA grad for ...

I have mentioned in previous blogs, my gratitude for

Art Supply Warehouse and their CATALYST program.

Rebecca Giesking, Catalyst Director, goes above and 

beyond the norm  to provide a well-stocked,

dynamic & creative space for the classes offered.

Pam is a consumate teacher, knowledgable and ...

passionate about helping students learn.

We learned a simple registration, and various

types of printing ...

applying the ink ...

my first mono print (R) and the ghost print (L).

Nadia Roldan

Nadia's inked plate before printing ...

Nadia's mono print.

My second (subtractive) mono print.

This was called a trace monotype. 

The plate was inked & the paper placed on it,

then I drew on the back of the paper ...

and this is the print pulled ...

and, this is the ghost print, made without further inking.

This is cleaning my brayer on newsprint.

Pam demonstrated using stamps and tools to create

textures and values in printing.

After a short lunch break, we started encaustics!

Using the provided Enkaustikos printing plate ... 

on electric griddles @ 150' we melted "hot sticks" of color ...

Starting with small plates ...

Nadia Roldan

we moved on to use the entire griddle surface.

And as a special treat ...

Pamela Smith-Hudson

 and ...

Pamela Smith-Hudson

What a great day!

Day 295: How about a Saturday smile? Or 10?

Here's the deal.

I am going to give you 10 possible smiles ...

you tell me your favorite?

1. 

2. 

3. 

4.

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

How'd I do?

Day 294: Another hero ...

I have several.

But today I thought I would tell you about Dr. Nichols.

Alice Nichols was a contemporary of and had gone

 to school with famous artist, Georgia O'Keeffe.

Dr. Nichols was the Head of the Art Department ...

at Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana ...

from 1947 - 1968.

She was an amazing lady in so many ways.

Her silver hair, worn in a crew cut.

She smoked a pipe.

She drove a fast little red MG sports car.

She had two tiny dogs always with her .

These were uncommon traits for a lady ...

in Indiana at that time.

She was strict, but fair. And kind.

One time she came into the painting class, 

she took my painting and left!

A few minutes later, she said ...

"If you don't know when to stop, I do."

She returned it later, saying it was indeed, finished.

I am still working on that part of my art work.

I am sure there are many special stories about her.

John Surovek, now a Palm Beach, FL art dealer 

had this statue made and presented to honor Dr. Nichols.

After she retired she traveled and ...

one of my treasures is an Italian postcard from Dr. Nichols.

She was an individual and a very special lady.

Day 293: Some kind a hero!

Have you heard of Iris Apfel?

Iris is 91, and since age 83, the darling of New York ...

for being the same flamboyant person as always.

In 2013 she was listed as one of the 

best dressed over 50 by the Guardian. 

Known for speaking her mind ...

and wearing what she wants.

She is an icon!

Her Manhattan apartment appeared in Architectural Digest.

She has a book.

She has her own jewelry line.

And, is often quoted ...

An inspiration!