Pat's Encaustics - Art in the Wax

Seascape

2011-02-02T13:31:00.001Z

Again, after a long absence due to ‘life’ just getting in the way a new encaustic has been created!

Measuring 100 cm x 50 cm or 39” x 20” in real terms it is at a stage where I felt I ought to stop. Maybe, there will be some boats added? I’ll have to think about it.

Now is the time of year for fantasy!

2010-12-15T11:29:00.001Z

It really doesn’t take too much imagination to visualise these busy fairies darting about! Hither, thither as they fly, darting from one area to another…..

An encaustic ACEO – Darting Fairies

Ideas for Christmas?

2010-12-07T12:13:00.001Z

Celestical Magic

An experiment with silver metalic wax. Painted on box canvas the picture has been wrapped around the frame.

Against a black background it takes on a different ‘feel’ giving accent to other areas.

Whilst when placed with a light at the rear different colours and images stand out for the viewer.

A No Brainer!!!!

2010-09-21T08:27:00.001+01:00

ArtFire is offering a limited number of people the chance to lock in a never-before-seen $5.95/month rate. In order for us to offer you this deal we need at least 20,000 members, including you, to opt-in for the exclusive $5.95 rate. Don’t miss your chance to lock in the best deal in e-commerce. Once this deal is over, it’s not coming back.

For more details follow this link! http://www.artfire.com/groupdeal

Don’t forget if you promote this you could win a super prize! Just let Artfire know the link and you could be a winner….. well, you would be anyway, at these fantastic prices!

What are you waiting for?

I am still here!

2010-06-15T15:02:00.002+01:00

Yep, a bit like a voice from the past! I am still here, alive and kicking, I think!

Life has overtaken me lately hence my absence but today, I felt creative and wanted to paint with my waxes for our new ‘bolt hole’ in Devon. I have a couple of paintings already hung there but one thing I had never done but had always been tempted to try. That was what I call a ‘Trilogy’ of paintings. You know 3 paintings in their own right but actually when placed next to each other they create a panoramic view? Never did it before, so took a deep breath, and this is what happened!

The subject matter is based on some photographs I took of the lake view near our ‘bolt hole’. A wonderfully tranquil setting with lots of trees and absolute peace…. wonderful!

Here are:

Part 1 -

Part 2 -

Part 3 -

Now view them together to make a panoramic view of the lake!

Now I just have to decide where to hang them!

A Swap for Spring!

2010-04-23T12:00:00.001+01:00

A group I belong to on Etsy.com is called Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team, or, simply the BBEST team! Often we have activities which bring members together. This April we have one entitled, Spring.

Thinking caps on….

This is what emerged from my fair hand!

One rule we have is that we are not to tell the other person who to expect what from! So, I don’t know where or what I will be receiving and neither does my recipient.

Exploring nature

2010-04-05T17:11:00.001+01:00

It has been sometime, I know, since I painted another creation. Finally, I have taken the time to create/paint my latest.

I am loving the inspiration that allows me to listen to the wind, watch the grasses sway in the breezes and smell the various scents that drift over me.

Feel this painting which I have entitled ‘Whispering Grasses’ and let your imagination take you on a journey of discovery!

One picture shows a close up and the second I have taken at an angle to show how it has been completed around the sides of this boxed canvas.

I began the sequence of painting with applying droplets of wax which were then hot air dried. After this I used my hot iron to smooth the waxes and then angled my iron to created the grasses.

Measuring just 23.5” x 15.5” it is neither too small or too large. Now to find the right space for it!

From a blank canvas to?

2010-03-01T15:15:00.001Z

I love the water and the moods it has as well as plant life that thrives at the water’s edge. Here is a scene to depict this simple stretch of water that laps against the reeds in the breeze.

Created with my trusty waxes and hot iron I blended the colours together on a box canvas measuring 30” x 20”.

Sometimes, you just don’t want to part with one of your own creations so perhaps I will re-create another but it will be slightly different!

By the waterside at Lake Indio

Last two in the Tulip Series

2010-02-27T13:46:00.001Z

At last I have come to the end of the Tulip Series! I created the last two. Now there are five. They can either be mounted separately or together to make a bigger impact.

Created in an ACEO size (3” x 2.5”) they allow you to own an original work of art for next to nothing!

#4 and #5 to be found in my Etsy shop.

Now to see all 5!

Tulips by moonlight

2010-02-04T09:44:00.001Z

The next in the Tulip series of ACEOs is number three. Sometimes the sun can play tricks on what we see. In this case the petals appear to be silver like. Or, was this a moonlit tulip during a wintery cold but clear full moon?

Tulip Series #3

Spring is in the Air ….

2010-02-01T08:51:00.001Z

It’s 1 February!! Where has January slipped to? However, with the sun shining I look out of my window and find I have crocuses trying to stretch their necks whilst the daffodils are starting to get ready for their show!

Meanwhile, here is another ACEO in my Tulip series ….

Tulip Series # 2

After a cold winter what can be more joyous than the sight of spring flowers erupting in your garden? The winds might still blow but these hardy tulips are made of stern stuff!
Here we have number two in my Tulip series. With a delicate pinky red hue you can actually imagine those cold winds whipping through the petals.

Autumn Fungi – original encaustic

2010-01-29T10:54:00.001Z

Well, I have gone and done it! Yes, I have listed as for sale this painting entitled Autumn Fungi in my Artfire shop.

I decided to include the picture showing how I got my inspiration for this subject matter.

Inspiration!

Result!

ACEO Series - Tulips

2010-01-26T12:38:00.001Z

Since, like so many others, I am getting tired of the cold of winter I thought I would turn my attentions to the garden. Amazingly, several of my plants are showing signs of life. Many have buds and my Mountain Ash (Rowan Tree) even has a couple of leaves starting to unfurl!

This brings me nicely to my latest ACEO entitled ‘Mauve Tulip’ series. I thought I might do a series so do watch out for the next instalment!

A Lunar Landscape…

2010-01-23T12:36:00.001Z

Scientists talk about sending man to the moon but supposing there is some form of life as we know it already?
Imagine, giants and ghosts living in their very own castles in a lunar landscape? I am sure some of our well known giants from fairy tales of long ago would fit into this description!

I listed this ACEO in my Etsy shop entitled Lunar Castles.

An English Autumn Scene

2010-01-22T16:28:00.001Z

I am slowly returning after the Christmas/New Year celebrations when I was totally laid up with flu! Great!

Then as I was getting over that, I got another cold. Now, over all that and trying very hard to get on with everything again.

And so, my friends, I have listed this encaustic painting in my artfire shop entitled ‘An English Autumn Scene’.

Autumn always incorporates some of my favourite colours, so warm and bright as nature gives a final blast before she beds down for the cold winter.

You may remember that this was actually one of my entries into the First Annual Autumn Arts Painting Challenge and Competition on Facebook.

Hopefully, this will be the start of my muse coming to work again!

I will be back!

2009-12-02T18:23:00.003Z

Yes, yes, I know I have been absent but I have been painting for the FB competition, been on vacation in US, busy with day to day business - those are my excuses, but, I will be back!

Just give me a couple of days and I will show you what I have been up to!
Pat

I just squeezed this one in too!

2009-10-31T09:06:00.001Z

Sometimes I like to play with my waxes. This time I cut some card to measure 4” x 4” to create a square. Then taking autumnal colours and my trusty iron I created

Autumn Mandala!

Keep watching this space since once the competition is over I shall be selling all three entries in my two shops, Etsy and Artfire

Another entry for the FB art competition!

2009-10-31T08:54:00.001Z

Well, I took the bull by the horns, so to speak, and created another encaustic painting for the Facebook art competition. Someone suggested that the entries to the competition were listed to allow you to enter a virtual art gallery without leaving the comfort of your home. How right they were!

Anyway, my second entry is entitled ‘An English Autumn’

Good luck to all who entered…… the talent is amazing and wonderful to see!

Judges are:
Pastel Category: ................ Marsha Hamby Savage
Watercolour& Mixed Media: ..... Soon Y Warren
Oils & Acrylics: .................. Gladys Roldan-de-Moras

Thanks so much to Nancy Medina, Jean Levert Hood and Sandy Askey-Adams for organising this incredible event!

One last bit of super news! Stephen Doherty, Editor in Chief of ‘The American Artist’ magazine quoted that they will be announcing the winners in their publication! Accolade indeed!! Thank you.

I have entered an art competition!

2009-10-15T07:59:00.001+01:00

Yes, you read it correctly!

The First Annual Autumn Arts Painting Challenge and Competition on Facebook.

When I read the title I just couldn’t resist it! I first had to make sure my style of art was eligible since the categories were oil, watercolour and mixed media. I need not have worried as my encaustics fall within the mixed media criteria. Phew! First hurdle overcome!

OK. The title of the competition suggests an autumnal theme. Now to see what artists are submitting. Oh my goodness, what talent! And, I have committed myself to place two entries in the competition. Much scratching of heads required to see what my trusty waxes can come up with.

After trying out a few ideas I decided on fungi (mushrooms). I had recently been on a walk through some local woodland and discovered some amazing mushrooms growing and since they do seem to grow more in the autumn due to the dampness I decided that they could be my subject!

I really did feel very nervous because once you have browsed through the other entries you will come to realise the incredible talent from around the world. Some of the paintings really give the impression that the viewer is actually there. Just wonderful!

The rules are simple. The painting has to have been completed in October and entered before 31 October. As long as it falls in the categories I described it is free to enter.

Anyway, you will be curious to see my first offering? Here it is! Woodland always has such a diverse amount of foliage, fungi offering a bountiful supply for the artist to enjoy and try to replicate.

‘Autumn Fungi’

Once the competition is over I will be offering this painting for sale but in the meantime just enjoy the view!

A refreshed banner

2009-10-07T10:15:00.001+01:00

I am always seeking new ideas in all I do. Now I have turned my attention to my shop on Etsy.com where you can find not only my encaustic art but also beautifully handcrafted items. The holiday season is virtually upon us!

Anyway, I thought I would refresh my shop banner. I took a painting I created some time ago and simply ‘cropped’ a chunk out of it! Then typed the title which includes my name and hey presto….. a new banner.

What do you think?

A brush with Winter

2009-10-02T08:18:00.001+01:00

One of my latest additions to the ACEO family…..

First of all, what is an ACEO? Well, there is only one rule governing the creation of an ACEO which is short for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. That rule being that an ACEO must measure 3.5" x 2.5". No more, no less. It can be portrait or landscape and be created in any medium.

This means that if you are interested in original art you can now afford to have your very own collection! There are different ways of showing off your collection too. Either you can purchase all manner of miniature easels on which to stand your treasured ACEO or you can place them in attractive albums which are then placed on your coffee table so you and your visitors can browse to your heart’s content. Another idea is to mount them in frames, either individually or as a group. Sometimes, using this latter method, especially if grouped by subject matter or colour, you can give quite a visual impact!

Anyway, back to showing off my latest ACEO for sale in my Etsy shop!

This one I entitled ‘Winter’s Brush’. I know winter is just around the corner in the northern hemisphere but maybe this little spot has already been brushed by the cold of winter and then was just left?

A new painting!

2009-09-17T09:10:00.001+01:00

Yes, I know! Please do not shout but I have really been a wee bit busy with wedding plans, wedding of DD and now in a couple of days she will be returning to reality after a wonderful honeymoon!

So, at long last a new creation!

‘Just off the Headland!’

Using my waxes I ‘ironed’ the colours onto canvas. It is one of those views where you can sit and find different things, can’t you? See the mountain range in the distance coming down to the water’s edge? A couple of boats are just messing around on the still water. Perhaps one of the only sounds would be the gentle lapping of the water?

Want to read more about it? I have it listed in my Etsy shop, see you there!

A Swap painting

2009-08-11T09:54:00.001+01:00

Once in a while the group I belong to on Etsy.com called Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team, or just plain the BBEST team, enjoy a swap experience. Those interested in swapping with a secret partner put their hands up.

At a given date the names are all collected and it is then decided to allocate names. This is usually done by pulling out the names from a hat. Somewhat similar to when our football teams have their names pulled out of a hat to see who they will play next.

The joy of this system is that you learn to whom you will be sending your swap but you do not have a clue who will be sending something to you!

And so, we come to the point where I now know to whom I should post my swap but do not know from where or who my swap will be coming from!

Oh, since I have only just posted my swap….. I can’t tell you where it is going! But, I can post a picture of it here!

I have entitled it ‘A Summer’s Day Dream’ since the subject we were all given was ‘Summer’ to interpret in any way we wished. Here I visualised a view looking out early morning when the mists had not quite cleared the horizon leaving the viewer the opportunity to dream.

The painting has been created on canvas with my usual waxes and sealed.

At last! A new ACEO!

2009-08-07T12:01:00.001+01:00

At long last! After a long barren stretch when it seemed my muse had gone to pastures new she decided to pay me a visit! Thank you.

Result? Well this ACEO entitled Cave Opening is similar to one I have done in the past but it isn’t, if you get my meaning? You can even compare by reading my last post!

It’s one of those paintings that, you the viewer, can decide which way you want to look at it. Even, which way you want to interpret it. That is the joy of encaustics. They allow the imagination to go with the flow!

This ACEO is for sale along with other ACEO’s and other paintings in my Etsy shop or for more why not visit my Artfire shop?

See you there!

Artfire sale!

2009-07-16T16:25:00.001+01:00

I was very excited today when I switched on my computer to find I had made a sale overnight! It was my very first one from my artfire shop. Hopefully, not my last!

The sale was one of my favourite ACEOs entitled:

A view out of the cave

An iconic view of London

2009-06-30T15:50:00.001+01:00

I guess most visitors to the UK will come to London although there are beautiful parts to the UK which often get missed. However, London does draw the majority since it offers so much history and places to visit all in the one city.

The Houses of Parliament where the seat of our heritage and government sits is viewed in many different guises. Here I have used my encaustics to create an ACEO depicting an artist's impression of the Houses of Parliament with the river Thames flowing in the foreground. You will also note the tower which houses the famous London clock, Big Ben, whose large bell resounds the time over the City of London.

Remember, ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) can be mounted, framed as a set or individually. Or, simply kept in a wallet as part of your collection. The only rule concerning ACEOs is that they should be 3.5" x 2.5". Thus allowing the ownership of an original work of art at affordable prices.

Check out my Etsy shop or my Artfire shop for more ACEOs and other creations!

Forsaken Landscape

2009-06-20T09:21:00.001+01:00

Countries where drought persists; places where farmers have tried to tend to their animals but simply had to give up to the forces of nature which made life too harsh to bear. Perhaps, something totally different?

Take a look at this encaustic ACEO I have called ‘Forsaken Landscape, an original painting in wax and tell me what you see?

Weather systems at Sea

2009-06-18T08:06:00.001+01:00

Having lived much of my life near the sea, well my main youth years, I have a total fascination with water in its many forms.

The encaustic medium is amazing at helping to create the image of lucidity and volume of water on a support. Here are a couple of examples to be found in my Etsy shop.

The first painting in wax is that of a turbulent weather system which can produce ‘twisters’.

Imagine the wind howling as it pulls up the water into an amazing rough sea and then tries to drag air up into twister shapes.

In total contrast my next painting, A Cliff Walk, is that of an image I often encountered as I walked along cliff tops on an island called Guernsey in the Channel Islands (mid way between England and France). Although there are many concrete relics of WW2 from when Hitler invaded the islands, there are many areas of peace where the walker is allowed to enjoy and contemplate along with the local birds.

Top Artists’ Directory

2009-06-15T07:52:00.001+01:00

Wow! Look what I found this morning when I switched on my computer!

‘Featured Artist of the Week’ Pat O’Neill

Also Kim has chosen one of my personal favourites, ‘Cascades of Water’

If you want to read about some extraordinary artists do visit the Top Artists’ Directory - it makes for fascinating reading!

Interested in seeing more encaustics? I have paintings in a wide variety of subject matter. Although, my favourite is water in all its forms. Paintings to suit all budgets are also available in my two main shops on Etsy and Artfire.

Yart Sale

2009-06-12T09:59:00.001+01:00

Last year was the first Yart Sale. What is a Yart Sale I hear you ask. Yard + Art + Sale = Yart Sale!

The first one took place on Etsy.com last year and was totally unofficial but so many joined in, including me. I took my time changing all my listing descriptions and prices to reflect the sale as well as a special shop announcement. I can honestly say that it made no difference. So, I ‘unchanged’ all the descriptions and prices as well as returning to my normal shop announcement.

Now Etsy have decided to make the Yart Sale official this year. Many are joining in and I really wish all a very successful sale.

For me? No, not this year. I feel my prices are just about as low as I can afford to offer and making them less in the sale would not be of any benefit.

Therefore, you will still find original art to suit all budgets in my shop, all at a very reasonable price!

Do stop by!!

Wild Blue Iris

2009-06-10T12:40:00.002+01:00

At last the muse returned from her holidays!

In celebration she allowed me to open my eyes for we are really spoilt at this time of year when we look around us at the prolific display of colour in the form of nature's displays.
I tried to capture the delicate feel and look of the wild blue Iris flower using my encaustic waxes and have now listed it in my Etsy shop.

For starters I decided to create an ACEO (this format can be done in any medium with only one rule – that it must measure 2.5” x 3.5”)

See what you think?

Thank you!

2009-06-02T08:54:00.001+01:00

A huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who have been coming by to read my blog. Hopefully, you will have found something of interest amongst my varied posts.

Most of all ‘thank you’ for consistently dropping an Entrecard and for this I am very grateful.

Here are my top droppers for May 2009!

Thank YOU!

Artfire.com

2009-05-29T06:28:00.002+01:00

The art really is on fire on this site! Well, not just art but all handmade items and there are some beauties including my Cascades Waters!

I have been on Artfire for a while now and find it such an easy, friendly site to work on. This site really ‘wants’ to sell your stuff. Now, very unusually, you only pay a small monthly sum to sell your products. Yup, just one payment and that’s it! No final value payments, listing fees etc.

Another thing! They really want to help you as a seller. Artfire want to reward you for your hard work and loyalty. For instance, if you follow this link http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=power_up&refuid=478 you can join and use me as the referrer. If I get 12 folks doing this it will pay my monthly subs. Then you do the same!!! Imagine being able to list and sell for free??

I quote here the message that Artfire have sent out to their members…..

‘Your confidence and your investment in the ArtFire community is appreciated and does not go unnoticed or un-rewarded! With the ArtFire Free Ride program for a limited time, you can earn an upgraded Verified account with full functionality and the ability to list unlimited items in your Fusion Studio absolutely free for life! Just refer 12 of your friends and when they join as a Verified member you, PLUS a friend of your choice receive a Free Ride! We provide a custom link for you below, just copy it and paste it in blogs or forums you frequent and email friends to participate!’

So, what’s stopping you and whilst you are about it….. have a look around my Artfire shop?

Creative Cafe

2009-05-19T11:44:00.001+01:00

This painting comes under the subject matter called ‘Mandala’. That is to say the pattern created is called that.

For those of you who are not familiar with term 'Mandala' think of your childhood when you used to play with a tube which you held up to the light and along which you could view moving beads etc as your rotated the tube. This would have been called a kaleidoscope, remember? Anyway, moving on! A Mandala is a uniform pattern that can be viewed from any direction.

The word "Mandala" is from the classical Indian language of Sanskrit. Loosely translated it means 'circle' and can be related to all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community. I suppose apart from enjoying the design there will be many ways in which to approach the concept of a Mandala whether in a material or spiritual sense.

Now to the interesting part from my point of view!

A little while ago I joined a group on the Internet called Creative Cafe. Creative Cafe is a social network where members show off their art, photography, crafts, music, videos and write blogs. Creative Cafe is a charitable group run by volunteers with mental health and other disabilities in Brighton UK. Membership is free and open to everyone.

As is often the case, you will find the most amazing talent on show here so it is well worth a look and if you are interested it is easy to join!

Well, Jill who is the founder and leader, came up with an idea. She invited members to submit a picture that would look good if it were placed at the side of the main text area. Winners would be pulled out a hat and as well as having the opportunity to see their work for a period of two weeks they would also be eligible for more!

Guess what? I was the first one to be pulled out of Jill’s hat! Yippeeee. Check out this post to see the above Mandala as a side picture.

Now to wait and see who will be the next winner?

Reservoir and Beyond

2009-05-15T12:39:00.001+01:00

The one thing I love about painting with wax (encaustics) is that not only does it allow my imagination to flow but also that of the viewer.

Having completed this painting recently I decided to list it on Artfire.com where I have several other paintings for sale.

‘Reservoir and Beyond’ allows you, the viewer, to rest and feast your eyes upon a landscape that can be found in almost any corner of the world. It could be Afganistan, it could be in the Lake District of England – just let your imagination realise!

As you stand high up on the rocks you can look down on a stream that is curling its way down into a reservoir. Beyond is a landscape which appears lunar like in quality. It is obvious the winds gather in this remote spot sweeping the clouds across the sky. What else can you see?

An ACEO for Spring in encaustics

2009-05-13T11:36:00.001+01:00

Global warming they call it. So, why is it still cold, wet, windy etc etc? At least the grass, weeds and lovely flowers are flourishing.

In celebration I created this ACEO entitled ‘Astor’ which I have for sale in my Etsy shop.

Remember! An ACEO only has one rule. It must be 3.5” x 2.5”. It can be made in any medium you like. I find in these days of ‘the credit crunch’ (I have come to dislike that phrase because it covers a multitude of sins) people still enjoy art but might not have enough spare cash to spend out. So, by creating ACEOs you can own an original piece of art, show it off however you wish without breaking the bank.

How to display your ACEO? Try framing it. These days you can purchase frames and mounts specifically for ACEOs like Custom Art Framing who sell these on Etsy.

Or you can place your ACEO in an album on your coffee table ready for your guests to browse!

Another way to display your collection of ACEOs is to place them on individual stands such as these from Pettman Art on Etsy.

Or, you could be really classy and use this black stained glass stand from Nonnie’s Treasures.

Change of banner wording?

2009-05-12T10:56:00.001+01:00

I need your assistance and feedback. Having searched through many sites I am now wondering whether I should concentrate on my own name more than On A Whimsey? As a viewer or buyer do you prefer to equate to the shop or the personal touch of the name of the artist?

It is sometimes nice to be able to relate to the artist themselves, get a feel for them, find out their likes and dislikes. Imagine going into a shop. Would you prefer to be dealt with by an automated machine or by a shop assistant/shop owner who actually wants to chat with you, is interested in you so that they might help you find what you want. I know which I would prefer!

My banner has already been altered to show my real name whilst underneath I still use the On A Whimsey description as can be seen if you look at the picture below or follow the link provided.

‘On A Whimsey's Art in the Wax by Pat O'Neill’

Apparently, this will help with Meta tags which I am trying to understand at the moment!

Certainly on my Facebook I am known as Pat O’Neill and have now placed a picture of yours truly rather than the encaustic image which makes it all that more personal.

So do you want to see automated imagery or the personal touch?

By the way, I had good reason to be really happy in this photo since it was taken just before our son’s wedding last summer. It was really hot which is why there is a glow on the skin!

Ronda, Costa del Sol, Spain

2009-05-05T16:03:00.001+01:00

At last some time to spend to create a couple of ACEOs based on photographs I took whilst on vacation in Spain recently.

By car we travelled for about an hour up into the mountains until we came to a town/village called Ronda which boasted some amazing views. After looking at a couple of photographs that I took whilst visiting I was prompted to interpret them in the encaustic medium. Here are the results!

which became this image!

Just before the incredible bridge straddling the gorge we walked along some steep cliffs which afforded us some amazing views down the valley.

This image in turn became this painting for me.

It is always interesting to see how an artist views their own image in their minds.

Top April Entrecard Droppers!

2009-05-02T12:40:00.001+01:00

First of all I would like to apologise for not posting on my blog as soon as I returned from my super vacation. This was due to some sickness or other that I appeared to have picked up on our last night. Since I am now well on the road to recovery I would like thank all of you for dropping your cards through to my blog. I especially want to thank the following for being amongst my top 10 droppers for the month of April. As they say….. ‘normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!’

Seriously folks, if you can just take a minute from your busy daily schedule to stop by these super blogs you will find your time has been well spent.

Once again, THANK YOU!

VACATION...

2009-04-21T08:11:00.002+01:00

All our building work is now completed so we thought we would draw a line under it all by having a short break away.

It will only be for a week; all my shops will be open but NO items will be sent out until next week.

I will be back soon with some new paintings!!

Have a good one.

Hot, hot, hot!

2009-04-16T11:54:00.003+01:00

Well cool, cool, cool really! I awoke this morning to find I had sold an ACEO entitled ‘Into the Inferno’. Actually, I was very lucky because the buyer had spotted this ACEO a little while back but when she came to order it…. it had disappeared! Thank goodness she sent me a message asking if it had been sold or was still available.

Having been rather busy with builders etc I had rather neglected my Etsy store. Putting on my Sherlock Holmes hat I realised it had expired. Soon sorted that out!

And, now, I can report that the ACEO is safely packed and on its way to its new home!

Just goes to show you have to keep on top of things, don’t you?

It is hot! The closer to the epicentre you get, the hotter it gets and the lighter the colour until it is nearly white hot. Try squinting your eyes and get drawn into the centre!

The Kon-tiki Expedition

2009-04-15T13:44:00.002+01:00

Now I am going back a few years but actually remember reading the book in our English classes at school. The subject matter was about a guy named Thor Heyerdahl who was a Norwegian scientist who led the Kon-Tiki expedition.

I can hear you ask, ‘What is that all about?’

Many believed that the people of Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia, seemed to have a culture far different from other people in the area, and therefore could be the descendents of these migrants. Genetic testing has proved that the people of Polynesia did descend from South East Asia and not South America.

In 1947 Heyerdahl decided to re-enact a journey, that was believed impossible, to shed new light on the possibilities of the people of both South America and Polynesia. He believed that the migration to/from Polynesia (including Easter Island) and South America was possible.

The voyage in a balsa reed craft began in April 1947 and ended 101 days later at a distance of 4,300 miles.

The book written by Heyerdahl about the expedition, Kon-Tiki, was a best seller and a documentary made on the voyage won the Oscar for best picture in 1951.

Going back to my inspiration for this ACEO it was whilst I was developing the painting in wax that a realisation came to me that this could have been the balsa wood raft used for the Kon-Tiki expedition. What do you think?

This ACEO is for sale in my artfire shop.

Tidal Movement

2009-04-11T14:52:00.001+01:00

The ebb and flow of the neap or spring tides along the seashore can be related to our feelings as they rise and fall. As the water rises there are turbulent feelings aroused as the sand gets churned up with the currents and disturbs the sea bed making the water cloudy until things settle down again.

I have listed this original encaustic on Artfire.com

Pat

Artfire.com – can you afford not to?

2009-04-10T09:14:00.004+01:00

Some of my readers may have heard of Artfire.com and some may not. If you scroll down the blog page you will see my Artfire shop with some of my artwork being shown.

Founded in 2008, the company is based in Arizona with about 15 employees, with a passion for handmade, art, and indie business. As an interactive handmade market place and craft community their mission is to support your business and your brand with innovative features and functions.

Artfire.com is more than just a marketplace, it is an artisan community. On offer are a variety of crafting social networking features to help you interact with fellow artisans. Meeting fellow artists, connecting with art lovers is the mainstay of this group. Some of the features in which the reader can get involved are: Craft Guilds, Member Blogs, Artcast (just the place to go for in-depth instructional videos!). Learn new craft tips, projects, and ideas with high quality movies specially made by the Artfire team and many more. There are so many ideas to learn about and this is what makes this venue so exciting and ever evolving!

One of the newest features is called ‘Rapid Cart’. This is a system whereby the buyer is not required to sign up for an account to check out. This is a brilliant idea and saves so much time for the buyer!

A great idea was that initially for the princely sum of $7 a month for life if you could sign up. Yes, that is all!!!! No more listing fees or final value fees etc. However, it won’t last for ever. When a certain quota, and I believe there are only a few places left, is completed the monthly fee will go up to $12. If you cost that out alongside other selling sites it still makes for a very cost effective selling point!

WHAT TO DO?

Since I have been a member at the $7 rate for quite a while one of the ways Artfire.com want to reward me is by offering a referral system reward. This is also done for other members, not just me! Now if you are interested, and you need to hurry to enjoy the lower rate, you can join and use me as a referral. As my reward I get the chance to collect a certain number of referrals and my membership will be free!! Now you too can enjoy the chance but you will have to hurry!! Simply click on this referral link Register on ArtFire.com - You will have the chance of joining for $7 a month for life until the quota runs out….. HURRY!!!! time is quickly running out, and time is money!

I promise you will enjoy the Artfire experience where everyone can interact so easily - sell with no fees and no taxation on your creativity.

Slogbite!

2009-04-03T08:26:00.002+01:00

Ok, Slogbite…. what on earth is it? Is it a bird, is it a plane?

No, silly!!

It’s a:

A social network
A comprehensive directory of categories and sites
A place to see member site’s BEST work
A place to promote your BEST work
A place to get noticed
A place to maximize your exposure at other member sites

Hang on! Why am I copying and pasting when you can see for yourself! Follow this link to read up on all the FAQs which will then give you a good insight to see what Slogbite is all about!

Above all…… it is THE PLACE TO BE!!!

It’s not all serious stuff either. A game has been devised whereby you can earn credits. This game allows you to ‘discover’ some fabulous other blogs and to meet some really interesting people.

So, what are you waiting for? Go on, join! At Slogbite…. See the best before the rest!! See you there!

1st April – time for accolades!

2009-04-01T10:37:00.003+01:00

Yes, it is that time of the month when I like to say a huge thank you to all my blog readers and especially to those who took the time to drop their Entrecard.

Below are the top droppers on this site for the month of March.

Miss Millificent's World

A great big thank you to all those ‘droppers’ quoted above. Please, do yourself a favour and take a look at these amazing blogs! Enjoy your day.

Different aspects of water

2009-03-18T12:37:00.001Z

For the first time for quite a while I am in the right mood to put iron to canvas! The wonder of encaustics is that you might have an idea of a subject matter but how it will evolve is up to the waxes on the day.

For the first painting I used my hot air gun. Ooooh the power! Well, actually, the heat. I am always very conscious of where I place the gun once I have used it. I really wouldn’t want to set the house on fire!

Whilst I was blowing the waxes around on the canvas and using different colours the idea of water lilies came to mind. I am always amazed to discover how diverse water lilies can be in colour. Remember the famous painting by the artist Monet? Here is his interpretation of the subject. I love the softness of this painting.

Now here is my interpretation. A very different view but I still feel that the title Water Lilies is right for this encaustic.

Interestingly enough, I only searched out Monet’s painting after I had completed mine. This painting is for sale on Artfire.com

In complete contrast but still using water as my main ‘prop’ I painted this one entitled Sail Boats. I loved the feeling of release and freedom that the sea and sky offer to the lone sailor. Just enough breeze to keep the boats moving!

This encaustic is for sale in my Etsy shop.

So, you see water has many moods depending on colour, application and ultimately, subject matter.

Now I know you like a Challenge!

2009-03-12T09:36:00.001Z

Don’t you just love a challenge!!

Be Sure to join the Blockhead Radio Artisan Challenge!!!

All you Artisans out there make a note of this date:

March 23rd.

The Artisans Challenge is Back!!

Some may remember... some may be hearing about it for the first time! Come on over at Blockhead Radio to hear more about the launch of this cool weekly contest. You will find some really great music by indie artists :) there too. Formerly known as the Etsy Challenge (the name was changed to protect the innocent...) and then renamed as the Artisan's Challenge because there are soooo many great venues out there for selling handmade.... and then the whole shebang came crumbling down. It was feared that the challenge would never be heard from again.

Yes, the Artisan's Challenge is being dug up from the depths of the internet graveyard! For those who may have never heard of the Artisan's Challenge, let me tell ya what it's all about. There are 12 different categories with 60 different artisans every week (5 submissions in each category). The winner's of the categories from the previous week then face off in a weekly challenge!So head on over, read the rules and enter your submissions now! You'll be notified when it's your week in the challenge. Then its up to you to tell your friends... your family... your neighbours... the postman, the butcher or the candlestick maker ... to go vote for you in the

Artisan's Challenge!!

What's in it for you? Besides lots of people seeing your item when they vote?? Besides FREE publicity for your shop??? Besides all the fun???? It just so happens that the winner of the weekly challenge will now win a audio commercial with a banner to play the entire following week on Blockhead Radio! That's even MORE FREE publicity for your shop!Remember, it's ANY selling venue! Entries are being accepted now so hurry and get your submission in. The winner is decided by you, so be sure you vote. I hope you will find me there a time or two with some items from On A Whimsey, if you do, please can I have your vote?

OH...ONE MORE THING... blog about it. I'll make it easy for you (because I'm nice like that)... just copy and paste this blog, post it, and Let Witchy of The Copper Cauldron know you did! You'll be entered for a chance to win a $15 Gift Certificate to The Copper Cauldron. Visit the Copper Cauldron here!! Last date to enter will be March 22nd. Winner will be selected by a random number generator. One entry per blog.

Spring is in the air!

2009-03-10T15:17:00.002Z

Since many of us a relishing the slightly (I did say, slightly!) warmer weather I wanted to share an ACEO with you! I belong to another Etsy group (Boomers and Beyond or BBEST for short) and they are having a swap for the month of March with the theme set as Spring!

So many images come to the fore don’t they? Finally, I decided on this ACEO as my entry. It is entitled ‘A Spring running down the Valley’.

Created using my favourite art medium of encaustic paint or painting with wax the ACEO has plenty of depth and detail to it. If you listen carefully you might even hear the tinkling of the spring water as it trickles down the mountain!

Now I just have to find out to whom I am to send it!

If you would like to view more ACEOs using this amazing 2000+ year old medium do visit my Etsy shop or read my blog http://artintheway.blogspot.com for further information.

Top Ten February Entrecard Droppers!

2009-03-01T09:18:00.001Z

Congratulations to the following who very kindly dropped their Entrecards on my blog during the month of February!

Storybeader - http://storybeader.blogspot.com

This artist lives in Oklahoma, specializing in one of a kind (OOAK) southwestern and ethnic jewelry. During the day works in a history museum – how cool is that?

John Wright - http://johnwrightart.blogspot.com

From the UK this artist traces the development of his paintings and drawings plus musings on any other bits of life that come his way.

Robins’ Nest - http://tqmnurse.blogspot.com

From the US check out awesome scrapbook pages, cards and altered projects!

Comics Legends and Lore - http://time-less-image.typepad.com/comics_legends_and_lore/

From the US we continue to seek exquisite beauty in our images, exploring all techniques, old and new.

Art Joolree - http://www.artjoolree.com

From Japan it's all about jewellery, fashion, the glitterati and all other things that sparkle.

Fire and Glass-Sweetwater Designs - http://sweetwaterdesignsat.blogspot.com

From the US this site describes the creating and joy of handmade glass beads, commonly called lampwork or flame work.

Rose Works Jewelry Blog - http://www.roseworksjewelry.blogspot.com

From the US this artist talks about the ups and downs of running a small business as well as reviewing products they’ve bought and occasionally featuring other artists.

Art By Paul Baines - http://paulbaines.co.uk/category/blog/

An emerging UK graffiti star Paul Baines.

Unique You - http://www.beaderjojo.blogspot.com

Hand woven beaded gifts and jewelry including necklaces and pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, dreadlock sleeves, beaded boxes, bottles, and more.

Three Fates Design - Beaded Jewelry - http://www.threefatesdesign.blogspot.com

From the US a blog about a girl and her love of beadweaving and lampwork beads.

My appreciation to you all for helping me promote my world of encaustics!

What an honour!

2009-02-25T11:10:00.001Z

Not only was yesterday a special day for me (my birthday and what a brilliant day that turned out to be!) but someone I recently came across on the internet by the name of Mel Avila Alarilla who lives in the Philippines has posted an amazing recount of my work! http://literatti-aliteraryblog.blogspot.com/ is the link if you would care to visit.

His critique made me blush uncontrollably! Not a pretty sight but I was so honoured to have someone look at my work and enthuse in the way he did. I guess more than that it was an even bigger honour to be caste amongst so many hugely talented artists. Very humbling.

Thank you Mel!

In honour of Spring!

2009-02-23T12:16:00.001Z

My husband and I went for a walk on Saturday in one of our favourite parks run by the National Trust in UK. This particular park, called Sheffield Park, was designed by 'Capability' Brown in the eighteenth century when he created irregular belts and clumps of trees and cleared informal paths through the woods.

There are truly some wonderful views.

Meanwhile, in encaustics, I have painted some flower images similar to crocus flowers or tulips.

This one entitled Windswept Flower reminded me of a delicate flower being buffeted by a fresh, cold wind in early spring.

Here I tried to convey how delicate the petals could be.

This one called Meadow Flower could be seen as more of a crocus or even a tulip!

Isn’t wonderful to be able to bring all these flowers to bloom with the new warmth of the fresh sunshine. The world looks a better place already!

If you are interested in viewing more like these please visit my Etsy shop, Artfire or Zazzle. If you wish to contact me I would love to hear from you too either through my Etsy shop or directly through my blog!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoyed your stay? Do come again soon!

An ACEO?

2009-02-16T11:52:00.002Z

I am sure you have seen much chat about ACEOs? Trouble is often you hear about expressions and because everyone appears to know what they are talking about you feel nervous about admitting you don’t actually know what an ACEO is!

Well, do you remember the old cigarette packets that contained small cards which were collected and traded? That’s how ACEOs came about! Originally, termed as an ATC or Artist’s Trading Card, people loved the idea of collecting these cards but unless you already possessed one, how on earth did you start to trade since this was the only way in which to secure others? Answers on a postcard!!!! No, seriously, someone came up with the bright idea that you could call it something else and therefore now you could not only trade but also buy and sell them! Eureka!!

An art format started by an artist on Ebay two years ago it has grown in popularity ever since. This artist is known by “bone*diva” on Ebay, but her real name is Lisa Luree. Here you can see an example of her work entitled ‘Luree tiny Madonna with bird’ which you will find for sale on Ebay.

So, an ACEO or Art Cards, Editions and Originals. They are small at 2.5 x 3.5 inches, or baseball card size. That is the only rule that governs this little critters! They can be created in any medium you wish from a painting to print, from polymer clay to glass. You name it, you make it. It’s that simple!

ACEOs are avidly collected all over the world whether bought/sold or traded and is a wonderful way to collect original works of art at a sensible price.

When I began painting ACEOs in a wax medium called encaustic I found it an exciting way to experiment. There are many collectors out there who all belong to many wide and various groups. Even Ebay has a collectors group!

ACEOs can be presented in a selection of different ways. For instance in an album or slipped into a card as a surprise present! They can be matted and framed to be displayed on the wall either singly or as a collection.

Although the concept of an ACEO is still in its infancy you will find more and more people, like you the reader, learning about them as they are being offered for sale on more and more websites, as well as in some real-world galleries.

Like what you see? Why not check out my Etsy shop or Artfire where you will find a varied selection of ACEOs.

So, what is stopping you? Want to buy or sell an ACEO? Just remember that whatever you do they can become addictive. You won’t be able to stop at just one! Best of all enjoy!

The Brothers Grimm

2009-02-09T11:01:00.001Z

I don't know about you but I guess I must be showing my age since I was brought up on the fairy tales created by The Grimm brothers. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm collected stories in the early 1800s that were neither sweet or soothing. In fact they often tended to be more on the cruel side as in Snow White, Hansel and Gretel. I so remember wanting to hear more but being terrified as well!

When I completed the painting that I entitled Fantasy Fortress I couldn't help but remember some of these stories! There was always a dark, cruel side to them

However, I hope this painting doesn't frighten you too much! By looking deep into it you can see shadows, birds, mountains, castles and fantasy fortresses where a giant might live or a dragon, or even the wicked stepmother! Oh wait, I am a stepmother! NO, NO I am not the wicked caricature, honestly!

As we change the focus onto the painting again I have to admit that this painting started out as an abstract painting of pansies! I was not totally happy so decided to experiment with my hot air gun to see where the waxes would take me. Here, you have it! Fantasy Fortress which is for sale in my Etsy shop. Please follow the link for more information and thanks for looking.

How styles evolve

2009-02-07T11:33:00.001Z

Well, actually I am finding it very interesting to see how my style of painting in wax is evolving as I gain more confidence and experiment more with the supports and techniques that can be applied in encaustic art.

From the descriptions of my paintings you will note I tend to use block waxes. This is simply laziness on my part and for ease of use/storage.

However, I have been experimenting with different types of supports from encaustic card, canvas panels through to box canvases. I must admit that I am rather taken with canvas panels at the moment finding it easier to manipulate the waxes with the various hot tools such as iron, hot air gun and stylus. The stylus actually has different tips to create different effects which I found very useful for my latest offering.

An English Field is the title of my newest painting. This was inspired by a recent walk in the grounds of Scotney Castle. Although closed to visitors during the winter the general public are allowed to wander around the estate. It was the weekend before we had snow so although it was bitterly cold, it was a beautiful crisp and sunny day. It was lovely to be walking around the various fields, watching the sheep as they grazed by a stream that ran nearby. This painting is to be found for sale in my Etsy shop where you will see more photographs. Some of the pictures were taken with flash and some, like the one above, without flash. Hence the difference in lighting effects!

One of my alternative selling venues

2009-02-05T14:10:00.001Z

Yes, I know! I am extolling the virtues of selling my goodies in my different selling venues/shops but if I don't, who will? I must admit it is one of my least favourite things to do and is so time consuming! I would much rather just play with my waxes and have someone else do the marketing and listing etc. However, that will not happen so you are stuck with me doing the dirty work. Someone has to!

Today, I listed quite a few ACEOs and paintings on my Artfire.com shop. Have you seen them recently? They certainly vary in subject matter but do suit all sorts of budgets and I do try to make my art affordable for all pockets.

This is an ACEO entitled 'Looking out of the Cave'

If you have ever visited UK you may have travelled to Somerset and seen the Cheddar Gorge, a natural formation where many like to walk, climb or visit Wookey Hole which are awesome caves. In this ACEO I have tried to convey the magnificence of the rock formation that could be found.

Cheddar Gorge, UK

In complete contrast here is a painting created using the inspiration I have of underground passages, water and caves.

A Journey Below

Like what you see? Then why not visit my shop on Artfire or my Etsy shop where there are more examples of my encaustic art. Thanks for looking!

Ever thankful!

2009-02-04T10:32:00.001Z

I am very mindful that in today's economic climate when money is not as prolific as in past years that there are still folk out there who appreciate art enough to want to buy it! After all, it is a luxury that many of us cannot not indulge in however much we would love to.

And so, that brings me to today. I fired up my laptop to discover a sales notification from my Etsy shop! The sunshine is shining and a sale. What else does a girl want?

My buyer comes from overseas and graciously decided to purchase an ACEO entitled Springtime in the Alps. This is the time of year when we are struggling with bills, trying to stay warm but remain ever hopeful of the stirring of spring. Even now I can see my daffodils starting to show their flower buds, the snowdrops are out and the crocus greenery is showing through a couple of inches. It won't be long now!

See the foxgloves in the foreground as your eye moves up the mountain pass. Birds of prey fly over searching for their next meal. A stream is running down too and is helping to keep the flowers well watered.

Can't you just smell the spring?

Off now to wrap up the ACEO safely for its long journey!

BEES!

2009-02-03T09:50:00.001Z

Perhaps nothing on our list of disappearing Europe and America is so dire; plummeting so enormously; and so necessary to the survival of our food supply as the honey bee. 'Colony Collapse Disorder,' or CCD, has spread throughout the Europe and the US over the past few years, wiping out 50% to 90% of the colonies of many beekeepers -and along with it, their livelihood."

FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, A GROUP OF ARTISANS ON ETSY ARE DONATING 5% PROCEEDS (of participating items) TO BEE RESEARCH. Look for the red bee logo in my shop, and see our team web site for more details www.beeswaxteam.com

Since I am proud to be a part of the Beeswax Team on Etsy I have offered some of my paintings to be considered in this sale. All you have to do is check out my Etsy shop to find which items have the above bee sale logo!

To give you a head start I will let you cheat and help you by listing the three paintings that are part of this sale.

Pastel Pansies - original encaustic painting

A Tori - an original encaustic

Icy Waters - encaustic painting

So, do check out all the paintings which are listed on the Beeswax Team's web site for further wonderful examples of what can be done with beeswax! alternatively check out the shops on Etsy that show the logo as their avatar.

Thanks to my top Entrecard droppers!

2009-02-01T10:07:00.001Z

Thank you so much to my following top Entrecard droppers for the month of January! I have listed links to their sites and quoted a few words from their own write ups. Entrecard is a great way of getting your name out there for FREE and for finding some amazing blogs covering every type of subject!

John Wright Art - Tracing the development of my paintings and drawings plus musings on any other bits of life that come my way.

Rose Works Jewelry Blog - In my blog I talk about the ups and downs of running a small business as well as reviewing products I've bought and occasionally featuring other artists.

Deronda - I love glass. My passion is making artisan glass beads with my torch, but if it's glass, I'll try it.

Picture to People - Researches about Computer Graphics. New free software for graphics. Hot free graphic effects.

PineShoreStudio - this is a blog concerning the daily work and techniques both in marketing and painting of mixed media artist,Helen Harris.

Judiths Bead Lounge - Judith Johnston art glass beadmaker, delivery driver, wife, mother, general factotum and all round good egg reflects on life in the inside (slow) lane

Coloraddiction - glass, beads and color - Kandice Seeber's reviews, musings and discussions of glass colors used in lampwork bead making, plus discussions of color in fashion, arts, crafts and jewelry in general.

It's not just Pandas who like Bamboo!

2009-01-28T11:18:00.002Z

Bamboo, the word, conjures up all sorts of images from the actual plant to furniture! It is an extremely versatile plant that is also very strong. Here some can be seen growing in a wood in Kyoto, Japan.

Bamboo is the fastest growing woody plant in the world. The plant is used extensively in gardens, as a building material, and as a food source. Here I come back to the theme of a food source for the giant Panda! Not only this the bamboo pulp is now made into a bamboo fabric which is light and strong and is supposed to have some antibacterial properties!

The plant is often used in painting since it has such an interesting formation of colour, texture etc. The Chinese have always been the masters down through the years creating the most beautifully delicate images.

I do not profess to have those qualities but did enjoy trying to depict an abstract image in different colours for my latest set of ACEOs. Remember ACEOs (Artist Card, Editions, Originals) only have one rule and that is that they must measure 3.5" x 2.5". They can be created using any medium which makes them an exciting and affordable way to collect original art!

Here I have created 3 different ACEOs with the same theme. They can displayed separately or as a set! For further information please visit my store on Etsy.

Bamboo - Purple original encaustic ACEO

Bamboo - Blue, an original encaustic ACEO

Bamboo - Green, an original encaustic ACEO

A Tori

2009-01-27T11:17:00.001Z

Many years ago I lived in Tokyo and saw some wonderful temples in Tokyo itself as well as in Kyoto. The peace and tranquility that surrounds these places just envelopes you as you approach. The actual act of passing through the gate is supposed to purify the soul.

One of the most famous is the Tori, or gateway to a temple, at Miyajima which is a boat ride of about 40 minutes from Hiroshima.

I have not tried to depict this Tori but wished only to convey the feeling of calm and so this painting is not a true replication but only one based on such a sight!

For further information about this encaustic please follow this link to my Etsy shop where you will find it listed.

A landscape entitled The Expanse

2009-01-23T13:20:00.002Z

An image I have had in my mind for a while emerged today. I wanted to convey a feeling of expanse albeit across dunes, fields with a sky to match. Hence The Expanse was born!

You could really be anywhere but just imagine the stillness allowing you the luxury to put your thoughts into some semblance of order. How often in these busy days do we find ourselves swept along with a hurry to go nowhere.

You will note I have finished off the sides with a brown wax thus allowing the viewer to hang this painting without a frame.

This painting can be seen in more detail in my shop on Etsy.com.

It's time to look around

2009-01-22T16:22:00.002Z

Although I tend to concentrate on my own work there comes a time when it is good to look around and see what others are creating. It helps to give a different perspective and get you out of a rut!

As you may have gathered from some of my previous posts the art of encaustic is to paint with hot beeswax enabling the artist to create a unique painting which can also include other mediums to produce a mixed media painting.

Since I sell most of my paintings on Etsy.com in my shop I thought I would enter the word 'encaustic' into a search and see what examples of work I could find. A whole host came up but some of them seemed to stand out more than others for me.

For instance, a Portland, Maine artist called Willa Vennema has used a wood panel for a support to create her encaustic entitled Bees in Bee's Wax

Willa says that 'this piece is from her Series of abstract encaustic/mixed media paintings. If you're not familiar with encaustic, it is a painting technique which uses hot wax as the medium. The sensuality of the medium is its best feature. The surface of the paint has a beautiful glossy shine that can be buffed gently to renew it. The paint seems to glow because light reflects through the layers. There is also a faint perfume of the bee's wax used to make the medium. There's nothing like it!'

This is another masterful creation so full of movement and depth entitled Elegant Motion by Shelby of BS Art Studio. Here you can start to feel the drama that the waxes can achieve!

An example of mixed media is seen in this piece by Newbyart entitled Leaving the Hive which is about the artist's personal journey of leaving a group of close friends (the hive). There's something reassuring, though, that communication is just a stamp away.

So, I leave you to explore further and find your favourite piece whether it is solely an encaustic or a mixed media piece. The styles are so varied and exciting but most of all, totally unique!

A wonderful marketing tool, and that is just the start!

2009-01-16T07:42:00.002Z

I usually chat about what I am creating and how but do occasionally pick out something else that I believe might be of interest to you, the reader.

One of the most proactive and prolific bloggers I have come across lately is called Timothy Adam. This guy is amazing! Once he has researched a subject, particularily marketing, he then passes on the information for the rest of us mortals to digest. This I find so refreshing and generous in times that are difficult for us all and when we are even more likely to look towards just ourselves.

Tim is a self taught metal artist who makes a living selling online. He is also dedicated to helping others achieve their goal of successfully selling their handmade goods online. That was a direct quote from his site http://handmadeology.blogspot.com On this site Tim explores the science of handmade hence the name!

If you only take five minutes out of your day to check out his site I think you won't be disappointed. Who knows? You might even find a golden nugget of inspiration and knowledge that might change your life in blogland for ever! Try it!

From one size extreme to another

2009-01-14T14:31:00.002Z

You might say I am going from one size extreme to another! Compare my large encaustic from the last post to this ACEO which is sized as 2.5" x 3.5" as all ACEOs are supposed to.

A little while ago I decided to list a few of my paintings on a new site called Silkfair.com still using my normal shop name of On A Whimsey.

The site is relatively new and is in direct competition with Etsy. So much so that they openly suggest you can import your listings from Etsy and this I tried. It works! You can import and then decide which ones you will make live. The same goes for items on Ebay.

Why not check out my shop? http://silkfair.com/onawhimsey

One of my ACEOs is listed which is called Beleaguered Raft

The description reads as follows:

Do you remember the Kontiki expedition which was undertaken across the ocean in a wooden raft? As I was developing this ACEO it came to me that this rather reminded me of that. A large sailing raft with the wind howling around its sails tries to battle the wild sea.

Just another example of what you can do with wax!

TADA.... the unveiling!

2009-01-13T13:51:00.005Z

Well, as promised, the picture is now hung!

My husband got out the ladder. Have you ever tried standing, safely, on a ladder that has been extended on the stairs? Very scary. Having placed a towel at the top to protect the wall from the ladder making any marks we discussed the height at which the painting should be displayed. Once that was confirmed, he put two screws so that the painting could balance nicely and it would be easier to keep it level and straight.

Once the screws were in place I handed him the painting after having made sure that he still liked it!

Carefully the painting was lowered onto the screws, levelled and once we were happy with the positioning the ladder was safely removed.

And, so my friends, thank you for your patience! Now is the time to stand back and view my latest, largest encaustic entitled 'Flora'.

Although initially the painting was to be for us, I have decided that if accepted favourably enough it could well go on sale! Then the headache of how to pack it!!

See how the light changes the images as it picks out the metallic wax. Remember if you want to see any picture in more detail just to click on the individual one to blow it up!

Let me know what you think. Honestly, I won't be offended if it is not your cup of tea but I really would be curious to read your views.

Thank you for looking!

It's all in the anticipation!

2009-01-13T08:56:00.001Z

My husband asked if I felt like paining a large canvas as we both realised that since changing and installing new lights on our stairs and landing a large space had become rather obvious and needed filling!! I took pictures in daylight and also with the light on showing how it accented the wall where we wanted to hang the picture.

Being more used to painting ACEO size pictures up to 20" long paintings I knew I would be looking at something a lot larger. This was indeed a challenge!

So, we both went along to our local crafty shop to look at canvasses and decided on one. It measured roughly 36" x 24"!!!! Now to buy some more waxes which would be required to cover this size canvas.

I had already thought about various ideas to paint but knew that whatever I started out with it would change because the waxes will do what they wish to do!

We got home. I looked at the canvas and was very apprehensive; it was massive! Anyway, I unwrapped everything and tried to make enough space to start the masterpiece. That was the hardest thing to do! I then made sure I closed my door so that I could be undisturbed and also opened the window so that fumes would not build up. Now to start!

Later today I will talk through the process and, hopefully, show you the final piece after my husband has hung it in it's new home!

EEny, meeny, miny,mo.....

2009-01-07T14:30:00.002Z

Having just finished creating my latest encaustic painting I now have a difficult decision to make. To which shop do I post it? Do I list it in Artfire.com? What about Artgallery.co.uk? In the end I decided to stick with Etsy for the time being and list this encaustic in my Etsy shop, On A Whimsey.

For those of you who are feeling the cold today including me I think this painting will give a warm feeling. Hope so!!

Once I had completed it I had to put my thinking cap on to make another important decision! What title to place on it. Then like a bolt of lightening I thought of that wonderful group called Simply Red and realised that would be my title for this encaustic!

So, ladies and gentlemen, may I present....... drum roll please.....

Simply Red

Painted on box canvas this painting needs no frame since the sides have also been painted. Measuring roughly 11.5" square and 1" deep it would not look out of place in the home or office.

Here are a couple of pictures showing the side angle to demonstrate how the sides have continued with the main theme and colour.

Another new venture!

2009-01-06T17:25:00.002Z

Another new venture... well, it is the new year and what better time to start out on another new one?

This time I was tipped the wink about an American site which is now also in UK called Zazzle. Interesting name so I checked it out!

On this site you can upload your photographs of your paintings etc and they do all the work after which you take a percentage which you decide upon. So, you can upload pictures that would be suitable to transposing to T shirts, aprons, mouse mats, mugs and the list goes on and on. Even magnets, key rings and then they do greeting cards etc.

How could I resist? Now you can see some of my paintings and photographs. Some you will recognise, others may be new to you. My Red Flower looks good on a T shirt, a mug or anything else you can imagine whereas some other images look good on a mouse mat.

This one was entitled 'Looking through the Coral'. It was an ACEO, still is actually but I thought it could be fun as a mouse mat!

Here we have some of my fantasy mystery castles. Sometimes when you have to do those boring old spreadsheets it can be rather nice to drift away into fantasy land whilst gazing at your mouse mat.

For a more restful scene I loaded this picture I took during the autumn whilst on a wander around Sheffield Park, a National Trust park, where we often visit. Bet it doesn't look like this at the moment with temperatures at 4 or 5 degrees below freezing!

If you are interested in seeing more why not pay a visit to http://zazzle.co.uk/onawhimsey where you will see quite a selection!

A new shop!

2009-01-05T12:25:00.003Z

The start of another year and always ever hopeful and full of excitement to see what it will bring.

For a variety of reasons which I have yet to fathom my shops on Etsy, Artfire, Art Gallery have been very quiet. Often visitors to the shops look at the paintings but that is as far as it goes. So, why not stretch to another shop? I can hear you say, 'Another!! What on earth are you thinking?' Well, ever the optimist I thought that by throwing some more bread on the waters I might get noticed more!

So, whilst trawling around Twitter.com I noticed someone mentioned an online shop called Silkfair.com. In for a penny, in for a pound and I have now opened another shop, now at http://onawhimsey.silkfair.com

One thing I have noticed is that you can import your listings from Ebay and Etsy! Then all you have to do is check them to make sure you are happy, alter anything in the descriptions etc and make them live. Nothing could be easier! All is fair in love and war, I believe the saying goes. Well, looks like it to me! So, we shall see what happens. I have only one item listed so far but will be adding to my inventory pretty soon.

My first listing on Silkfair.com

I called this Crocus and it is an ACEO, an original in encaustic art, beeswax!

A very Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-01T11:17:00.003Z

Just a quick word to wish everyone a wonderful 2009! I know the forecasters are voicing doom and gloom but there is a lot of positive thinking to be done! As much as things are not good, make your own luck, think positive!

This year I intend to concentrate on my On A Whimsey shop on Etsy where I display affordable art. Other shops where I sell are Artfire.com, ArtGallery.co.uk, MyEhive.co.uk

So, this year will be THE year!

Enjoy this time to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and work out a plan of action! You CAN do!

Happy New Year!

One last post for Pluggers United Team!

2008-12-31T18:01:00.002Z

I just couldn't let 2008 go without one last post for the Pluggers United Team, now could I?

Still being in holiday mood it was fun to trawl through the items that this great team have listed on Etsy.

For instance:

Now I know it is a little late in the day to be sending seasonal cards but this could be sent for other anniversaries as well!

Church Window - Handmade Note Card with Original Photography by Mercyming

Mr and Mrs Gingerbread Towel by Sew Happy Designs

These would be wonderful any time of year!

Looking ahead to the next 'event' which will be Valentine's Day I stumbled across this listing .. isn't he cute?

Cavalier King Charles Valentine Figurine by The Magic Sleigh

For my final item in my selection from this talented team I had to include this one!

Happy Belly Tea by Omshanti

Ate too much pizza last night? That deadline giving your tummy problems? Try Happy Belly Tea. A blend of chamomile, peppermint and fennel seed -- all known for their beneficial effects on the digestive system -- makes Happy Belly Tea both tasty and effective.

Just couldn't resist that last one which is useful any time of year!

All that's left is to wish everyone a wonderful 2009 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last day of 2008

2008-12-31T11:23:00.002Z

Whilst we spend the last few hours of 2008 reflecting on the past year, our mistakes, our joys and achievements, we should still be looking forward to another wonderful year ahead. Life is what we make of it with a little luck thrown in! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't so well. It's all trial and error!

I am not trying to make light of situations but just feel you have to try to think ahead..... you know, the light at the end of the tunnel idea again?

Well, whilst you are all doing that I decided to have one more listing on Etsy for 2008! Actually my shop On A Whimsey is just over a year old and I am pleased with what I have achieved so far. I have loads of ideas in the pipeline for 2009.

Meanwhile, I digress! Here is my latest addition to my shop.....

Pastel Pansies - giving us the hope that a lovely spring is just around the corner!

I love the delicate petals that pansies have with their meaningful centres which seem to give them all a soul! Here I used my new hot air gun to swirl the different colours around the canvas.

That just leaves me one more thing to do and that is to wish each and everyone of you a very hopeful, good, healthy and happy New Year!!

Thank you all for your continued support - I do so appreciate it and look forward to seeing you and meeting new readers in 2009.

Amidst so much trouble and strife....

2008-12-30T17:47:00.002Z

It saddens me to hear stories about so many folk who are suffering through illness or the loss of their jobs. LIfe is not easy at the moment, for anybody.

Money is in short supply and what there is needs to be carefully used and spread on the necessities of life rather than the luxuries we have come to expect as normal.

I feel particularly sorry for those who have never seen life where you have to be careful and think ahead. There was always 'another' job for those who seemed unhappy in their current positions. Money was no problem either; you just spent what you earned because there would always be more. Right? Wrong! Times have changed and now is really the time to learn prudence.

However, on a more realistic note, please remember that however bad things appear now, there will always be someone out there who is worse off. These times, though hard, will pass and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. So have faith, take the moment to re-evaluate your lives. Find out what the really important issues are and how they affect you as well as your nearest and dearest. Out of this situation you will emerge a stronger and, hopefully, wiser person who will be able to help others less fortunate.

So, rather than dwelling on the miseries of the present look to the future with hope and put a spring in your step!

Remember, faith, hope and charity!

The Muse .... She has returned!

2008-12-29T15:58:00.003Z

My long suffering friend has returned! My Muse. Oh, I have been truly lost without her and have just drifted along with no real ideas or aim regarding my encaustics. This is really unusual for me but now I hope to be all geared up again.

At least with all those Christmas preparations over and done with I now have more time to devote to creating again. What really helped was that I was given a hot air gun with variable heat settings as a Christmas present. This would make hot air work so much more easy to do rather than fight with my hair dryer all the time when the hot air and wax had lives of their own!

Anyway, my first creation for quite some time has now been completed and I have listed it on http://onawhimsey.artfire.com

It is entitled The Eyes Have It. I love flowers and I guess I often look right into their centres and imagine I can see into their souls through their eyes. Using several layers of colours I moved the hot air gun over the box canvas. To add detail I used another small iron attached to the hot stylus to create the flower aspect. The final detail of the eyes was added with the hot stylus. The grasses around the painting which were also taken around the sides were added with my encaustic iron. So, there you have it. A touch of fantasy with some thought thrown in for good measure!

A very merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T10:54:00.001Z

Without further ado, I would like to thank all my readers for joining me in my various escapades during the year, the highs and lows!

The parcels/presents are all wrapped and sitting invitingly under the tree... no feeling them to guess what is inside! The shopping has been completed apart from the few last minute items. The food is being prepared and readied for cooking on the big day. Light up the lights, pull a cracker or two and share a 'not so funny' joke with a funny hat on whilst you try to play with plastic toy from the cracker. Don't you love tradition?

So it just leaves me the important job to wish you all the merriest of Christmases. May your cup be overflowing, as they say! Some of you will be experiencing a white Christmas (and how!) whilst the rest of us in parts of UK will be enjoying a cool, damp day. Where ever you are, may your Christmas be peaceful, share with family and friends bringing you fond memories to relish over the years to come.

Minstrels a Christmas Poem by William Wordsworth

The minstrels played their Christmas tune
To-night beneath my cottage-eaves;
While, smitten by a lofty moon,
The encircling laurels, thick with leaves,
Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,
That overpowered their natural green.

Through hill and valley every breeze
Had sunk to rest with folded wings:
Keen was the air, but could not freeze,
Nor check, the music of the strings;
So stout and hardy were the band
That scraped the chords with strenuous hand.

And who but listened?--till was paid
Respect to every inmate's claim,
The greeting given, the music played
In honour of each household name,
Duly pronounced with lusty call,
And "Merry Christmas" wished to all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The last weekend before Christmas

2008-12-20T10:21:00.002Z

I guess we will all now be in a flurry of activity as we work through our list of last minute things to do before the BIG day! Did you remember to get Auntie Flo's present, you know the one that always seems to slip through the net? Those elusive stocking fillers? And so it goes on.

Oh no! Now it's snowing!! Well not here in UK where we live in the south east where it is just damp and dull. However, many of my internet friends over in the US are experiencing a lot of snow. Children love it but the adults just know that after all the digging they just want to sit by the fire with a mug of something lovely and hot!

Encaustics are on hold at the moment. Too much to do what with shopping, cooking, organising of everything so the creative juices will have to take second place for a few days. That is the joy of this time of year. Once the main celebrations are over you can then relax and allow the creative muse to take over again. I wonder what she will be creating? Rather an exciting thought!

You wake up to find.....

2008-12-19T11:00:00.004Z

.... a wonderful surprise in the form of the Butterfly Award! Liv of The Filigree Garden bestowed an award on my blog and mentioned me too!

Whilst you are reading her wonderful blog I am sure she won't mind me mentioning her shop on Etsy which is well worth a look! Here you will find a blend of vintage and new handmade jewellery.

One of the conditions of receiving this award is that I pass on the love to 10 other bloggers! And so, the awards go to the following:

Alis Clair
Purple Missus
The Lone Beader
Art Garden
Black Rose Creations
Art to the Extreme
Quilts Galore and More
Althea Peregrine
Razor Berries
Creative Apples

Now those receiving the awards are urged to do the following:
1. Post a copy on your blog.
2. Mention who gave you the award.
3. Pass the award on to 10 others.
4. Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honour has been bestowed upon them.

Happy hunting!!!

Inspired by nature!

2008-12-18T17:45:00.002Z

Some years ago I was fortunate enough to pay a visit to the Grand Canyon. It's majesty left a huge imprint on my memory. So much so that I tried to recreate some of the vastness and solitude in this original encaustic painting.

This encaustic painting is just 6" x 6" (15 cms x 15 cms)without the frame. I have put it into a frame with glass so that the actual framed painting is 9" x 9". I just felt the wood effect frame brought out some of the colour from the wax.

For all those of you who enjoy scrapbooking etc....

2008-12-17T16:06:00.001Z

I was looking at some of my paintings and a small light bulb illuminated in my head! How would it be if I created tiny individual paintings in encaustic art which in turn could be used by scrapbooking enthusiasts or by folk who enjoyed making their own homemade greeting cards? You know the ones you can pay a fortune for in the main shops these days. Very pretty but imagine creating your own cards for that special person in your life..... hence the card topper was born!

Each topper is unique and original, and cannot be replicated. I have mounted each picture on a white background matt card which in turn can be attached on to a greeting card or any other project. If the white surround is not required then this could be simply trimmed off. A sticky cushion could be placed behind to create a 3D effect too!!

The approximate measurements are 2.5" x 2.5"

Take a look and see what you think?

This has been created using just blue pigmented wax.

Whilst here I have one using red and.....

Now.... green!

What I am really trying to say is any colour could be used. If interested just visit my Etsy store!

Feeling in a tropical mood

2008-12-16T10:29:00.002Z

I should have created a spot where I could hang my hammock; swing gently in the tropical breeze without falling out as I reach over for the pina colada!

A quiet cove somewhere in the tropics. It is warm but the palm tree provides some shade whilst I stand looking across at signs of civilisation. Just the gentle lapping of the water on the rocks below with the odd bird sounds disturb the sultry air.

This encaustic painting is just under 6" x 4" (15 cms x 10 cms).
It would look great in a simple frame or mounted on some board.

Palm Tree Cove - encaustic is for sale in my Etsy shop where you will see more pictures of this painting.

The birth of an encaustic

2008-12-15T09:28:00.001Z

When an idea comes into my head I just want to get the waxes out, support and decide which tools I am going to use. Once I am nearly at the completion stage I wish that I had taken some pictures to demonstrate the process of how one of my paintings become the finished product. Always, too late so I was determined to remember this time! Some of you may remember this post from my other blog which will gradually be 'run down' since I find blogger more user friendly!

To continue, with this in mind I have used my latest encaustic and remembered, just, to take pictures along the way.

Step one was to take a blank, white canvas that had been triple primed with gesso and to decide whether I would use it landscape or portrait. For this exercise I decided on portrait style.

I wanted to paint a flower using my iron, hairdryer, stylus and tissues.

The top of the painting would need a yellow background. Next I wanted some depth of colour. To do this I used a hot iron, tipped it up with the point heading for the canvas and melted some wax on it so that splodges of wax would fall in dots overall. Now to heat up the hairdryer and blow on those spots so that they would blend and I also used some tissue to blend even further.

Each layer of spots would be blown and pushed around with some tissue until I got the effect I was looking for.

Bit by bit more depth is achieved by adding darker colours on top of previously lighter ones.

In this third picture you can see the different coloured layers producing different effects.

Now the time has come to heat up my mini iron. This is inserted into the stylus which can heat up different sized tools to create different effects.

As you can see I have started to paint an idea of a flower using the mini iron. The painting continues to evolve although I am not totally certain of the final direction the waxes will take me!

At first I thought of a poppy flower and here is where you will see the dilemma I have put myself in..... should I continue or just stop! There is always the time to decided to walk away from the painting or to add just that little bit more. If I were doing this on support card I could just redo the whole thing and start again. However, painting with wax on canvas is a little more permanent.

Well, I just couldn't resist it! I went that bit further and now have changed the whole structure of the flower. I stopped using the mini iron for a while and started with the hairdryer again.

The shape of the flower was beginning to evolve but it needed some finer work to be done on it. Now, I really had to be careful not to overdo it so that it would be completely spoiled.

I added, using the nib of the hot stylus, some stamens and detail for the centre of the flower. It was very nearly finished. Again, I carefully heated the centre to try and soften the look.

Here we are!!! TADA!!!!

The completed painting! What do you think? I find the ragged edging to the flower helps make it more interesting.

So, you see, you never really know where you will go with encaustic art. The waxes decide the final outcome for you and to try and go against the flow just will not work. Believe me, I have tried!!

I have a fascination with water!

2008-12-13T15:40:00.001Z

There are times when my muse needs to sit on my shoulder to guide me. Once I began the water and wax seemed to flow!

Blues and greens always erupt into some kind of water scene such as this creation entitled Cascades of Water! This presently for sale on Artfire.com as a framed painting ready to hang.

Can you just feel the coolness as the water plummets over the rock face?

The Artisans Shoppe

2008-12-12T16:54:00.003Z

I am sure many of you will remember from my wordpress blog http://onawhimsey.wordpress.com that I have some of my wax paintings displayed on an Internet site called The Artisans Shoppe http://theartisansshoppe.blogspot.com/

As well as having the good fortune to have my own paintings displayed I would love to draw to your attention another artist called Linda from LDPhotography on Etsy who specialises in Unique aceos, atcs, photography, art pendants.

I love her avatar at the moment which shows this ACEO entitled Harvest Moon. This is an altered photographic collage that was made in photo shop combining three images. One image was a photograph taken of the full moon, the second was a photograph of a black tree with a blue sky and the third was a ttv frame image. This is the result of that creation. The ttv frame image makes the subjects slightly out of focus and give a soft vintage feeling to the image. The black border is visible in the photo.

Another favourite of mine is Ponte Vecchio Florence reflections photograph aceo or atc limited edition ZNE ESQB

This is a wonderful photograph of the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River in Florence.

Why not visit Linda's shop and see what other wonders she has on offer!

TADA!!! At last I have a couple of copies of the soft back for sale on Etsy!

2008-12-11T14:27:00.001Z

Well, I have gone and done it!!! As promised a few posts ago I have jumped in a new direction to bring my love of encaustics to a wider audience! Instead of saving up to buy individual paintings why not buy a book which includes illustrations and descriptions of some of my paintings?

The holiday season is here and I am sure there are many of you, like me, who end up scratching your heads trying to think of an original present for a dear one. You can't keep giving sweaters or socks so be original this year! Especially, if the person you want to buy for is interested in the arts and new to encaustics.

Go to this link http://www.blurb.com/user/store/onawhimsey and you will find my first book entitled 'My Encaustics - Art in Wax'.

Here is the front cover of the book which contains 20 pages full of illustrations of my paintings. You can either purchase the book as a soft cover or as a hardback with a dust cover. The site leads you through the buying process and helps determine the shipping charges according to which country you wish to have your book delivered.

Let me know what you think? You may even want to buy a copy as a Christmas present for a friend, a member of your family or just for you to place on your coffee table to enable you to browse through a selection of my paintings!

IMPORTANT NEWS!!!

I have a couple of softcover books that I can sell to you through Etsy http://onawhimsey.etsy.com It will be slightly cheaper and I can send it out straightaway!

My first Pluggers Unite post!

2008-12-11T09:22:00.003Z

I recently joined a wonderfully friendly team on Etsy called Pluggers United! What is that all about, I hear you say.

Pluggers United is a group of artisans FOR artisans whether you are on Etsy or further afield. This is a truly global team but we are all here to support and help each other rather than compete all the time which is so counterproductive. It is a group that is committed to promoting each other’s shops, and working as a team to provide additional exposure through blogs, web sites, and various advertising and marketing methods, as well as the Blockhead Radio show for which you will see my promotional button further down the page!

Part of the promotional help we give each other is to help show and tell about each other's shop. So, I would love to start with a fellow team member who also lives in the UK, as I do!

Sassa Lynne at Etsy

The lady who runs this shop, Myfanwy, has been seriously involved in textiles for about 20 years and has been dyeing for almost that whole length of time. The dyed items featured in her shop are from her Serendipity range. Serendipity means 'the result of a happy accident', and these items from random dye pots are so very special and individual. Cotton and Viscose items are dyed using a combination of Fibre Reactive Dyes. Procion dyes are one member of this family, but Myfanwy uses other types too. All are colourfast and are disposed of in a caring manner with a keen eye on the environment. Silk and wool are dyed using acid dyes.

Swinging Sixties Sassa Lynne Serendipity Perle 5 Green Landscape

Sassa Lynne Serendipity Jumbo Perle Medium, Red, Autumn, Gold

The richness of the colours is amazing with no end of variety. Stuck for ideas? Then look for the gift vouchers that are available in sets of $25, $50 and $100.

Sassa Lynne Serendipity Hand Dyed Scarf

Loosely woven, this viscose scarf is stunningly hand-dyed in Turquoise, Raspberry, Mustard and Olive. You will see from the photographs that there are even shades of Blue and Terracotta in there. It is a real head-turner.

And finally, I had to show you this lovely combination of 70% silk and 30% cotton. Hand-dyed using their Serendipity technique there are several colours ranging from Persian Green, Emerald and Bright Green with tiny flashes of Turquoise. I'm sure you will find more colours than these.

So, remember the name

Sassa Lynne at Etsy

Do watch out for further posts about members of this fun and sportive team - Pluggers United!

Snow!

2008-12-10T12:28:00.005Z

Well, we don't have snow in this part of the UK but there are some folks who do and I know there are plenty in the US and other parts of the world.

So, to make this a more festive looking blog without detracting too much, I hope, I have added a widget that creates gentle spots of snow on your screen! No, it's not the monitor!

This was another great idea from a blog I came across today called Blogger Buster where there are some super ideas to enhance your blog!

More sites I sell on!

2008-12-08T14:26:00.001Z

Always looking for different Internet sites on which to list my paintings. After all, the more exposure the better it is!

One site I sell on (you may have noticed the logo button at the side of this blog) is called Artfire.com. Here you can list for free or you can become a verified seller and pay $7 per month for life for however many listings you want. Once they have 5000 sellers signed up the fee will go up to $20 per month. You also get a chance to show loads of pictures plus lots of other incentives which are well worth looking at. It is easy to copy and paste from Etsy, in fact it is encouraged!! The whole listing process takes place on one page thus making it a lot more user friendly.

The other site I have started to use is specifically for UK based artists but the buyer can come from all over the world! This site is called Artgallery.co.uk and offers original art from UK artists. The exciting layout of this site is that you can 'test drive' your painting to see what it will look like. Obviously, it works better if you have a large painting but this service is one of the first I have come across. I must admit I have played with Photoshop to achieve a similar effect but here it does look that much more professional.

The decision is always hard to make. Do you spread yourself around thinly or concentrate on one venue? Only time will tell and, of course, a sale or two!!!

Pluggers United!

2008-12-07T09:31:00.002Z

Are you an Etsy seller? YES!!

Are you getting enough exposure? NO!!

If you have answered 'No' to any of the above questions you should immediately go to this link! http://blockheadradio.blogspot.com

A new Team working on your behalf! Yes, that's right, working on your behalf and they are called Pluggers United. What could be better than that?

The team consists of artisans for artisans....working together to can gain more exposure for team members and their shops. This is done through the radio shows, blogs, advertising, guerrilla marketing, entrecard generator, website, etc. They will be doing charity events also.

Only requirements for members:
1. Join the Yahoo Group and add your info to the databases. This is
needed for team guerrilla marketing.

2. Place the Pluggers United badge on your blog.

3. Blog about one of your team members at least once a month. You
pick them. This is done on the honour system and you do not have to
report it.

4. Try and sell on of your team members item during the month. Blog
post, twitter, etc. One item specifically......honour system here too.
We will not allow any calling out, blasting sites, etc. This WILL be
a fun and friendly team. We are here to support each other.

Check out thread on Etsy
http://budurl.com/lwhg

So, what are you waiting for?

Welcome to my newest blog!

2008-12-06T10:11:00.001Z

For those of you who know me you will remember that I have had a blog using Wordpress.com for quite a while. This blog is still active but since there are numerous constraints using that platform I have decided to duplicate posts and insert them into blogger. Hence this new blog!

If you would like to follow me just glance to the right of this screen and click the 'follow me' button so that you won't miss out on any new information in the future.

As the days go on I will be posting descriptions here to help explain encaustic art - my favoured medium. Just as a taster here are a few of my paintings for you to consider.

This one is entitled Spilling Over.

As you will see in many of my paintings, water elements have a great influence in my life. I love the depth of colour within the shadows and the vibrancy that draws you in which can only be achieved in this amazing medium of painting with molten wax.

This was a painting I created for my daughter. Although the camera has caught the light in the centre it seems to enhance the rest of the painting, don't you think?

Remember to make this blog one of your favourites so that you can follow me during my journey with encaustics!