ANOTHER new project

Starting something new is just so much fun!  DSK found this info for me on the web and we just had to try it!  It's call Oogoo and is a molding material made out of silicone and cornstarch and a bit of paint.  It's quick, messy and so fun!  I can imagine lots of ways to use this with all the kinds of clay I play with.

Textrued Encaustic

 

 These are photos of a piece I did at the Encaustic Conference in June.  They are looking from the left and right.  They are made with two colors, one brushed on from the left - the peach, and one brushed on from the right - the teal.  Fun, huh!

I framed them with red oak flooring from DKS's remodel and am pleased with the way that all turned out...I will be using this framing technique again.
Yesterday I worked on the ground for the two black pieces, until I ran out of black wax.  It will take a lot of work to get the surface as smooth as I want it, especially for the Optical Illusion piece.  I'll get more wax tomorrow and give it another go.
I am looking forward to putting down the shredded pieces.  They are black paper with uneven white lines.  I shredded one sheet vertically and one horizontally.  When I lay they into the black ground I will alternate rows.
To quote a favorite person, "Must get a camera to document the process".

Finding Time For Me

There are still lots of family obligations pulling at me but today I am going to spend time in the studio - Me time!  I will work on the Optical Illusion and Shredded pieces and maybe do a bit on the colored clay.
I need to research and buy a new camera to document my work AND the upcoming trip to France!

For the encaustic work:
  Heat up the black wax in the spray booth and lay down several coats making sure they are smooth
  For Optical Illusion, divide up the surface, most likely with tape and then cut and lift out every other square.
  For Shredded I just need to find the middle both directions and start laying down the paper shreds
  For Colored Clay I said I'd pick three colors then I need to weigh and do line blends of stain and clay

New Year - New Hand!

I've had joint replacement - left trapezium - and am in week four of eight weeks recovery.  After seeing or rather feeling what steroid shots accomplished for my hands AND attitude, I am getting excited to have a hand that works well without pain!  The shots gave me two months without pain and allowed me to gets lots of pots thrown and gave me some of that much needed motivation I've been looking for.  It's amazing how much less energy and drive I had when both hands hurt constantly.

Flat Rawley is looking at my incision.
I am a bit grossed out about it.

I will get another shot in my right hand and hopefully put off surgery on it until early fall.  In the meantime I've been reading a lot and not doing any of the things I thought I would do with only one hand; sort photos, learn Google Sketchup.  It's all good.