The Secret Life of Beeswax

Yay! I've had more time than usual for beeswax this past week. I am teaching a beeswax class to 10 students these first two weeks of January and after class on a few afternoons, I have been able to dip a paintbrush into the crockpot of melted wax and play a bit. My students are doing beautiful work in class. Check out the gallery of student work at http://www.thesecretlifeofbeeswax.blogspot.com/.

Flowers at Christmas

pink roses for Renee's birthday dinner

holly berries

forsythia!

I filled magenta glass cups with pink roses for the dining room table to celebrate Renee's birthday two days ago. And while walking yesterday afternoon, I spotted a holly bush sagging under the weight of brilliant red berries. Today, I saw a blooming forsythia bush! I am not kidding. Since when is the delicate yellow forsythia a Christmas flower?

Dry Spells

"Song Bird"

beeswax collage
"Tea Time"
beeswax collage
"Lady in Red"
beeswax collage

"Kingdom of the World"

beeswax collage

I haven't posted in nearly one month which translates into not making any art for nearly one month! Don't you hate it when real world responsibilities get in the way of escaping to a place of creative nonsense?

Aroma

beeswax collage #1
beeswax collage #2

beeswax collage #3

Ahhh...the aroma of hot melted beeswax, white bean chili on the stove, and steaming hot green tea with mango in a mug wafting through my kitchen. The weather outside is gloomy and cold, yet I am delighted with today!

Fall Leaves

"Falling Leaves"
watercolor

The leaves are quickly dropping to the ground this weekend (well, it is November). My backyard looks like this painting today.

Waxing Poetic

"Wondering"

Beeswax collage

"Waxing Poetic"

Beeswax collage

I treated myself to a beeswax collage art class today in Raleigh taught by the always fabulous, Claudine Hellmuth. There is nothing better than working with melted beeswax, paper, oil pastels and crayons for 7 solid hours!

Woo-hoo!

Debbi Crane and Cheryl Prater, my very talented and engaging friends, have published a mixed media book that recently landed on Barnes and Noble bookshelves. I am extremely PRIVILEGED to have a piece in the book! Check it out.

I Wonder...

In Luna's studio last weekend, we were painting with beeswax and talking about directions for our art in the coming year. I have not been focused on my own work for most of 2008; too preoccupied with many things of which I have no control. But, at last, ideas and images are beginning to surface in my mind. I work in a narrative series. I like this approach A Lot! And so, I begin my journey of wondering. I photographed most of these images a while ago (Renee shot the railroad crossing photo) and I wonder...was life more restful long ago? I wonder about the minds of those who lived in rustic and isolated areas with space, Lots of Space around those minds. Don't know where any of this is heading, but I wonder...

Clement Farm

Clement Farm in Stem, NC

I am finally kicking a nasty case of bronchitis which developed during a sophomore class camping trip in late September. The students were awesome, but the weather was damp and dreary. We camped in tents in the barn right behind these silos. The farm is a peaceful and restorative place: a place I would like to return to without fever and congestion!

Sometimes it Pays to Take a Moment to Read the INDY...

One evening about 10 days ago, I picked up a copy of the INDY and spotted the "call for entries" to the 54th annual Durham Art Guild's juried exhibit. On a lark, I submitted three pieces. The juror, Beverly McIver, liked what she saw and accepted two of the three works that I dropped off at the Durham Arts Council. I was surprised and thrilled! Note to self: Continue to respond to "call to entries."

If you are in the Durham/Chapel Hill area, join me at the opening reception on September 19, from 5-7 PM at the Durham Arts Council. The show will hang from September 19-November 2.