Waxy goodness!

FINALLY...after over a year of wanting to learn how to do encaustic paints (bees wax based hot paints) I have finally arrived...well sort of. I still feel a little bit like I have no idea what I am doing. For the past month I have been collecting the various things I needed. First and foremost I had to order my paints. I found some incredible sample sized paints here at thebeesknees1234 on etsy. And wow did they give me a deal. I ordered the sample pack and they sent me 12 free sample sized colors as well b/c I was lucky enough to be their first customer. I seriously feel like a lucky duck and I know I will be back for more soon.

Once I got started yesterday I realized that I did not have any white/clear. I needed some quick so I ordered some from this wonderful shop Jamieribisi on etsy that I have been eying since I got this itching to do encaustic paintings. She offers some wonderful paintings herself and tutorials and very nice earthy colors! I know I will be back to her shop too as I think I am addicted to this style of painting (even though I have lots to learn still).

I spend an hour the night before getting all my duck in a row. I took all my new paints out of the packaging and sorted them by color before putting them in bowls. I had to find an adapter and extention cord so I could plug up my griddle, heat gun and fan.

Here are a couple of shots of my work table right before I got started...again still not quite sure what I am doing...ahhh)

Once I started the first piece, I realized that I will need to order more tins and better paint brushes...specifically for Encaustic painting. (note to self...still need to do that)

I went in with no plan at all as I had a limited time to work on these while my son was at preschool. I think once I get some clear/white in there I will be able to show some fabrics through a lot better. But wow did I have really enjoy doing this...even if I am not sure I will ever attemp to sell either of these pieces- LOL

This one I included some fabric under the wax, but b/c I did not have any clear I used the silver sort of like a white. I came back in and carved in this one a little bit. Still not sure it is totally done as I feel like it still need to be cleaned up some.
Good learning experience in the end and I can't wait to make more...with a little more a plan now that I know a more what to expect!

Finally here is a piece I finished last week. It is Gesso on wood...with the boy and dogs the natural wood. Then on top of the gesso is permanent marker in many abstract layers of flowing lines (so much fun!)
You can find the prints "A Day at the Park" HERE in my shop. My husband will not let me part with the original. I usually sell the ones he loves so I thought I would be nice this time. haha

Haircut for a little boy

So I finally admitted to myself that I did not have a clue what I was doing when trimming London's hair. Not to mention he is not one to sit still when he sees the scissors coming. As the bowl cut started to get out of hand, I had to do something. Last week we took a spontaneous trip into Charlotte and stopped by the ubber expensive Doolittles. They have quite the circus going on in there. After driving the steering wheel in the little car, 2 suckers and a movie playing on the flat screen right next to the mirror...his hair was finally cut. What a handsome little guy he is I might add. And if a haircut to make him look like a big boy wasn't enough, he is now sleeping in his big boy bed. We are saying bye bye to the crib this weekend and hopefully will be putting in a teepee real soon!

My folks came by the other night to see Londons new do. We had him up late b/c he took like a 5 hour nap and didn't wake up until almost 7pm..so he had a second wind of course. One of our favorite little songs to sing is "Moon Moon Moon" and when it is dark out and he is still awake he goes moon hunting. Here he is with my mom out front looking for the moon. It was hiding that night but sure was fun to look.

Pre-haircut - He acutally did not want us to take it out so we snapped a few shots. bye bye summer blonde.

Fall is in the Air - new original in my shop the original sketch on wood below

Can not wait for Fall and pumpkins and sweaters and colorful leaves and hot apple cider!

Here are two custom kitchen pieces I did for a wonderful friend. I will never tire of coffee and grits!

And Finally here is another new piece in the shop, Brown Hare Brown Hare
I love drawing new critters and I used the same grass stlye here as I did in a recent custom wedding order (in a few posts below)

It has cooled here quite a bit and I am so ready for the crispy air. It is times like this when I really really miss being in Boone, NC. Anyway, good bye summer...hello Autumn!