encaustic painting...

encaustic painting has been around for a long time, in fact it is the oldest form of painting,started by the greeks when they used wax to seal their ships,and than adopted by the egyptians to create beautiful paintings for their mummys....it didn't become popular until the 50's, (jasper johns) and its still not a widely used medium. I am excited to say that i took an encaustic painting workshop this weekend. it was really fun,and it forced me to use colors that i wouldn't normally use. encaustic painting is painting with wax and manipulated with heat. it is really forgiving and the possibilities are virtually endless. i would love to do more of it, but unless you have a very large studio with good ventilation, it wouldn't pay to invest in the costly supplies. i can happily cross it off my to do list,and had a great workshop!..i highly recommend it.

happy valentine's day...

happy valentine's day to you.....i hope you have a wonderful day with the one's you love! show your special valentine's you love them with a handmade note! xoxox what is that smell?....... love is in the air!

sanctuary.....

when i am feeling stressed or sad i can always find my solice at my drawing table. it helps me to focus and instantly take my mind off of my problems...no matter if i just start to organize my supplies or take out my watercolors to prep for a piece of art. it is my sanctuary!

its a bright, bright sunshiny day........

happy saturday, it is a beautiful,sunny day and i for one and thankful for a day of rest after a very exhausting week. here are the news journals i have been working on for valentine's day....make it a great day for yourself and make sure you do something fun....bake some cookies, or create some art, or sing on the top of your lungs,or dance like no one is looking...it's good for your heart and soul!

my new sketchbook.....

i recieved a beautiful new italian sketchbook for christmas,and the pages are thick and take to watercolor nicely...now i love moleskin,and use those for everyday sketching and mixed media, i have several of them, and use them for different things.... but i knew i had to do something very special with this particular sketchbook.i finally decided to make it into an illustrated cookbook, filled with several of my favorite recipes,what better way to savor all the sentimental recipes from family and friends!....here are some of the pages i've started to fill....i am having so much fun!

giving thanks.....

as i get ready to celebrate thanksgiving this year with my family,i am giving thanks for all that i have... a beautiful family,wonderful friends, a comfortable home, and today  most of all i am thankful for my grandmothers giant cast iron pot....i make everything in this sunny yellow pot,and i swear to you it all tastes better!
       i inherited all her cast iron ware after she died, and i celebrate her every single day in using one piece or another.... last night i used it to make so many things,it was a great help to me...i miss my grammy more than i could ever put into words, but she lives on in my heart and in my pot, and for this i am oh so thankful!
                                             many blessings from my house to yours....happy thanksgiving!

the start of november

i find that when i am stressed or happy, upset or thrilled, i always find myself celebrating in my kitchen.... it always goes back to nurturing for me, nurturing my family,nurturing my feelings, nurturing my life...i can usually solve any problem by standing in front of my stove,mixing up a batch of cookies, or a delicious meal.if i need inspiration,or to calm myself down, i can always do it with spoon in hand.

                                                     even when i find it hard for me to concentrate,as soon as start chopping garlic, or stirring  risotto, it helps me to focus on the task on hand and instantly soothes me. i think this is why i can relate so closely to ina, paula,alex and nigella....they are so passionate about cooking, it is there essence, their being....and like me it is there passion and joy.