Autumn Fungi – original encaustic

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!

I just squeezed this one in too!

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!

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!

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!

Change of banner wording?

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!