One of the best things to happen in this sabbatical is discovering a new medium - encaustic. For those unfamiliar with it, it is painting with melted beeswax mixed with resin and pigment. It's very forgiving (you can remelt it, scrape it, paint over it, etc.) and can incorporate collage and mixed-media inclusions. There are some incredible artists out there that I continue to learn from, and I have found an outlet that I really enjoy. I built a 400 square ft studio on some property our family has on the Blanco River outside of Wimberley, so I try to go to my happy place a couple of days a week. I'm part of a group I met at Encausticamp in Washington state this summer - we are following Judy Wise's Hot Wax e-book and encouraging each other with monthly technique challenges. This piece was inspired by the all-to-brief autumn color we have in this part of Texas.
If nothing else, I'll try to post vanity pictures as my art progresses. As blog-worthy life events unfold, I'll include those. With both sons traveling overseas in the coming months, I may just need to vent - the nest may be empty, but those maternal instincts don't go away! And don't even get me started on my mother...
