i have spent a good part of the past few weeks really coming to know and understand encaustic as a new media. i have experimented with products, immersed myself in books and video and tried some really flammable awesome techniques. i have purchased wax paints, substrates & experimented with heat tools...to the point of buying a blow torch and setting the art on fire!! thats my favorite part (i may have pyromaniac tendencies, lol).
i am in love with the way the wax layers build and how they can encapsulate hidden treasures and stories between translucent chapters of the creative process.
some of these snapshots are of finished pieces, but most are close up portions of art in various stages of completion. in total the last few weeks play have produced 20 or so pieces of art. some i simply love...some were the vehicle that took me to the next step of my understanding of encaustic.
i am learning what i love...for example, i cant live without titanium white wax.
and ready for this shocker...believe it or not, right now, i can live without teal. i know i cant believe i said it myself. i love the process of learning.
and before you ask, yes at some point i will have an online workshop about encaustic, but i want it to be because i understand it and am ready to present it as "donna does encaustic" workshop, not simply regurgitating what i have learned from others, but rather letting it live in my creative consciousness, absorb it and let it evolve into something truly me.
i plan on doing my first small group "Encaustic Painting" STUDIO weekend this October (only 12 people) My purpose in keeping it intimate is so that i can provide ALL the products & tools allowing the students to learn more techniques and truly experiment with their creativity.
i love the sense of excitement i feel learning...its like dating (not that i remember that was a long time ago), the butterflies and the excitement of the unexpected!! it may not look that way as you scroll through these few snapshots, but these are literally the stepping stones on the path of building my creative process.
below is a 6x6 encaustic series in progress...
Squeel! Love these, I could eat them I love them so much!
Posted by: Courtney | February 27, 2015 at 07:16 AM
Sign me up for October.
Posted by: L.j. Charles | February 27, 2015 at 07:33 AM
I absolutely love your work! These are inspirational.
Posted by: Heidi | February 27, 2015 at 07:41 AM
Nice. Love the texture and that "encapsuled" is that a word? Look. Xoxo
Posted by: Micki | February 27, 2015 at 07:43 AM
Super cool.
Posted by: Christine | February 27, 2015 at 07:47 AM
beautiful and inspiring!
Posted by: deb | February 27, 2015 at 07:59 AM
This is so intriguing and beautiful. I love your work, and as a beginner in art, love your comment "some were the vehicle that took me to the next step of my understanding of encaustic". Gives me a new perspective on pages in my art journal I'm not so crazy about ... they are just steps to greater art! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kim T | February 27, 2015 at 08:08 AM
Beautiful work! I love the layering and high contrast between the black and white marks/zones. My favorite image is the one where the dark browns are swimming through the wax around the black circle. That opaque vs. translucent quality within a nearby area is a really cool effect!
Posted by: Stephen Lursen | February 27, 2015 at 08:11 AM
squeeling with delight!!!!! if I still lived in that area I would be in your oct workshop ... can't wait for online class!!! I believe my favorite is the one with trees I'm really drawn to that one, it calms my spirit believe it or not. thank you for always sharing & encouraging
I'm gonna say it
I
heart
Donna Downey!
Posted by: Lisa | February 27, 2015 at 08:48 AM
WOW Stunning work. I love the writing but the one sneak peak with trees wow my heart is melting like the wax. Can't wait to see more!
Posted by: Karenliz | February 27, 2015 at 08:53 AM
HooRaay!! I have just signed up for your October Workshop. I had a feeling that you would be loving this process and I can't wait to work with you and a (small) group. This will be a grand time!
Posted by: Pat Healey | February 27, 2015 at 08:59 AM
Oh how I wish I lived in the USA I would be there like a shot. This looks wonderful and I'm sure I would really enjoy doing it. I've asked my husband for my 60th birthday (2016) if I can come over to the Studio for some classes, fingers crossed. I live in the UK and we don't get such wonderful classes as you do thanks for sharing x
Posted by: [email protected] | February 27, 2015 at 09:16 AM
You know I'm already signed up for your October workshop!! I've always been interested in encaustic since the Big Inspired. These are BAD ASS Donna! Cannot wait til this workshops!!!!
Posted by: Ellie Moore | February 27, 2015 at 09:19 AM
Please please please do online class! I wish I live in your area and I will attend to every workshop.
Posted by: Kelli Williams-Mirus | February 27, 2015 at 09:19 AM
I so want to try this!
Posted by: Ann-Marie Lafrenaye | February 27, 2015 at 09:46 AM
Beautiful work, but whaat happens on ahot summer day. Does it melt?
Posted by: Beverly Parkison aka Lateblooming Designs | February 27, 2015 at 09:59 AM
Love this. AND I appreciate your sharing with us in the learning stages of your work. It gives me courage and support in my own learning. Thanks Donna!
Posted by: Robin Pierson Barber | February 27, 2015 at 10:10 AM
These are so awesome! Thanks for sharing your learning process with us.
Posted by: Aprile | February 27, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Beautiful! I am still trying to get down Art journaling and Mixed Media. I am not ready for this step yet! I do love your work! Fantastic!
Posted by: Heather St. Clair | February 27, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Love the way it looks
Posted by: Linda | February 27, 2015 at 12:07 PM
I cannot wait until you teach an online class! I love encaustic and I really love the way you've put your own personal style in these! It's soooooo rich!!!!
Posted by: Susan Dearinger | February 27, 2015 at 12:27 PM
These are beautiful! You are such an inspiration! And I understand that giddy feeling of learning something new, I am the same way. ;)
Posted by: AbbyC. | February 27, 2015 at 12:52 PM
Donna they are wonderful. I follow you on Pinterest so I'm not completely surprised by your interest in encaustics. However, I already love what you are doing! Please don't burn down your new house when you move into it!
You know what I'd love to see? When you get really comfortable with encaustics and discover your style, I'd love it if you would be able to help those of us who know they can never work with encaustics to try and emulate the style of encaustics using only the mixed media products we are currently using.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful art. I haven't been brave enough to post my IW 2015 art yet, but will probably do so on Sunday. One of these days I'm going to make it to your studio for a live and in person class from you!
Posted by: Katie Storer | February 27, 2015 at 01:59 PM
I love working with wax. I have used it on a few paintings and love the look that it produces. On your work I love the picture where the dark meets the white on the side of the block. I know that's kinda weird but it reminds me of a peppermint patty! Your examples are really cool. Thank you so much for all that you do and all of your enthusiasm.
Posted by: Stacy | February 27, 2015 at 03:37 PM
Awesome. I have purchased encaustic paints and my first attempts were stepping stones to putting them in storage. Hoping you have some of it leak to Inspiration Wednesday some more and when we move to NC I will be able to do these workshops without the expense of flying! Yeah!
Posted by: CARMEN Hays | February 27, 2015 at 04:45 PM
Very cool. I'd love to take an encaustic workshop!
Posted by: Deborah | February 27, 2015 at 06:00 PM
So exciting! Just this week, I have begun to learn more about encaustic art. I bought a couple of books (one that had a video!), and I'm just about ready to give it a go. Wish I could be in your studio and learn from you - but online will work as well. Looking forward to more from you - you always amaze and inspire me with your work!
Posted by: Nancy Eaton | February 27, 2015 at 08:15 PM
Oh no, another art product to get addicted to. YIKES ;)
Posted by: Sally Malec | February 28, 2015 at 10:46 AM
love love love these pieces of art. I have been hunting for an encaustic online course. so please keep that possibility in mind. :)
Posted by: [email protected] | February 28, 2015 at 06:05 PM
Donna honey, SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I love these photos and the way the wax hides but doesn't hide things.. oh my goodness, just pure squeeeeedom on a canvas! Love you xxx
Posted by: Philippa | March 01, 2015 at 09:30 PM
i love these Donna!
Posted by: Sandy Wiley | March 03, 2015 at 01:20 PM
I so love everything about you miss donna. so honest and full of integrity. can't wait for an on line encaustic with you! I just finished watching inspire. wed. and I know I LAUGHED OUT LOUD at least twice! thank you for your GENEROSITY and CONTAGIOUS GLEE. SO APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR WORK, wanda xoxo
Posted by: wanda miller | March 04, 2015 at 10:29 AM