Now is the time of year for fantasy!

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

A Lunar Landscape…

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.

At last! A new ACEO!

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!

Forsaken Landscape

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? 

Reservoir and Beyond

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?

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

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.

 

 

 

 

 

One of my alternative selling venues

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!

A landscape entitled The Expanse

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.

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

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!

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!

The Muse .... She has returned!

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!

Welcome to my newest blog!

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!