Evolution of a Resolution

 

Just as I am interested in understanding an artist's process, I am interested in understanding how an artist develops ideas.  Creative invention is an elusive thing; how does one make something out of nothing? 

 

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The above encaustic series "Resolve(d)" was created for my friend Slo, a musician.  Slo has been immersed in music his whole life but he often feels shy, blocked, anxious, about his own personal music.  A conversation that we had two years ago resulted in him sharing these insightful quotes: 

 

"I love unresolved dissonance."

"The best music sits on the edge of resolution but never quite delivers until you've almost given up on it."

 

Things that make you go hmmm... these quotes struck a chord... Slo was unwittingly explaining his own creative block! I set out to use my artistic powers to help him resolve his dissonance.  First I bound a little journal for him to use as morning pages a la Julia Cameron.  The journal was titled "Unresolved Dissonance" and featured a pure contour line drawing of his favorite instruments, a bass guitar and a piano (uncanny resemblance, right? tee hee).  That drawing evolved into a series of encaustics titled "The Edge of Resolution" and it dressed up his new home recording studio. (click on the links for back story)

 

In the past six months his life has taken huge steps forward--he left his day job and became a music therapist!  He is meant for music therapy and music therapy is meant for him.  However, with all major transition comes stress and doubt and loneliness, and a culmination of events has left him feeling tangled.  The newest artwork "Resolve(d)" was designed to help him work through the entanglement and celebrate his new life, a life where the dissonance is finally becoming resolved--through his own resolve.

 

I took the twelve individual line drawings from "The Edge of Resolution" and layered them, one on top of another, to create tangled strings (above left).  When flipped vertically and horizontally, they merge together into a symmetrical design (above right).  Depending on which quadrant the tangled strings begin, they merge into four unique designs (below).  A symmetrical design with a center point can be viewed as a mandala, and mandalas have been used by cultures throughout time to reflect upon our inner selves and our connection with the universe, and to meditate upon and resolve inner conflict.  

 

Staring at these you are bound to get lost in contemplation, get lost in the undulation of line and energy!

 

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I believe Slo's next step is to record an entire album of original music.  He already has the CD cover :)))

Resolve(d)

 

"Resolve(d)" (I, II, III, IV)

* otherwise known as "100 Hours of Carving" * 

encaustic on wood, hand-carved paper, 16" x 16"

 

Centered (the process)

 

When I view art in a studio or gallery, I try to delineate the artist's process: what materials did they use? what technique did they apply? what order of steps did they go through?  While a little mystery is intriguing, an understanding of the process can often deepen our appreciation for the artwork.

 

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I'd like to share my process of hand-carving paper for encaustics.  The artwork resembles wrought iron, but the technique is not necessarily obvious--it could be mistaken for drawing or printmaking or even simply embedding a found object.  The black lines underneath the encaustic wax are actually carved from a single sheet of black paper.  You can see the beginning, below, where I've printed my original drawing onto black paper in black ink.  Using an Xacto knife with a very sharp blade, I meticulously carve out every section: small, tiny, teeny tiny, teeny teeny tiny, and ridiculously teeny teeny tiny.

 

one hour

 

two hours

 

three hours

 

three hours twenty minutes = finished!

 

I embed the finished carving in encaustic wax, handling it carefully as it's extremely fragile and literally held together by thin strands.  With a carving this detailed, I keep the background simple to keep the focus on the design.  I've used a lacy paper and clear beeswax for a natural look with a crisp contrast.

 

The artwork above is from my "Centered" series.  Each is 8" x 8" and took between 3-4 hours of carving.  The carving process requires a tunnel vision of concentration and, as you can imagine, can be taxing on the eyes, neck, and shoulders.  In fact it's difficult to do much more than 3-4 hours of carving per day, so I mix it in with other current projects.  I do love the process though, it is restful and meditative, and it's very satisfying to witness an intricate design emerging from a humble piece of paper.

 

I recently completed a series of encaustics that logged 100 hours of carving... to be revealed soon!

Centered

 

"Centered" (I, II, III, IV)

encaustic on wood, hand-carved paper, 8" x 8"

 

 

This series, along with my newest mixed media encaustics "Reflection," "Inner Scapes," and "Out of Windows" will be on exhibit at the Transylvania Community Arts Council from May 10 - June 10.

 

Reception is March 24th during Brevard's Fourth Friday Gallery Walk--maybe I'll see you there?

Light is Elastic

 

"Light is elastic and can be coaxed into various formations." ~ Chris Fraser (from In The Make)

 

 

Photography is my guilty pleasure.  I love capturing unusual perspectives, such as the elasticity of light as it dances around shadow and reflection.  Recently the imagery has appeared in my encaustics and visual journal via ink jet transfer.  There are commonalities between my photography and artwork including the layers (intriguing, illusionary), the lines (parallel, perpendicular), and the letters (wordplay, whimsical). 

 

All of these images are from my 365 Project, an online project involving daily photographs.  Mine was completed almost a year ago and I'm strongly considering starting a new series this summer.  It's a meaningful way to document the beauty in everyday life and can be a powerful muse for creativity.

Transferring Perspectives

 

This series of encaustics started with ink jet transfers from my 365 Project.  Can you see in each image where the photograph was layered?  I love the rustic weathered appearance of the transfer process and it's always interesting to see how the background imagery guides my choice of foreground imagery.

 

I use an acrylic medium method of transfer.  For a quick tutorial on the process, see "Ink Jet Transfers."

Out of Windows and Into Souls

 

 

"Out of Windows"

encaustic on wood, 5.5" x 4.5"

 

"Artists have stared out of windows and into their souls for a very long time. 

It is something in the staring-out that enables us to do the looking-in."

~ Julia Cameron

Awaken Joy

 

butterfly books for a Carolina Day School auction

(designs picked out by two students... what a lovely pair!)

 

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." ~ Albert Einstein

 

Last week I had the joy of playing--I mean working!--with first graders at Carolina Day School.  We upcycled their cherished greeting cards into miniature journals using old classroom photocopies for the pages (we folded them so only the blank side showed) and scrap waxed linen thread from my bookbinding projects.  The kids were super enthusiastic and started writing and drawing in them immediately, with some making plans to create a waterfall sketchbook or a vacation journal.  How cute are they!?!

 

(see "RECYCLE, REUSE... REINVENT!" for samples and ideas)

 

I truly enjoy teaching... it awakens the joy in my own creative expression and knowledge as well.  Soon I will start offering classes, workshops, and private lessons in my home studio.  My house is located in a peaceful and beautiful mountain valley (it feels like a retreat to me) and I can't wait to share it with others.

Reflection

 

"Reflection"

encaustic on wood, 11" x 9"

Inner Scapes

 

"Inner Scape I" and "Inner Scape II"

encaustic on wood, 11" x 4.5"

 

I often depict what I consider to be landscapes — abstract intuitive “scapes” of the inner and outer mind — to convey a feeling of hushing and holding, of peace and tranquilty, of awe with our surrounding beauty.

RECYCLE, REUSE... REINVENT!

 

UPCYCLE: the environmentally driven process of converting

discarded materials into useful products of value and quality

 

It is always a good idea to upcycle and Earth Day is a perfect time to honor this process.  Next week I will be showing first graders at Carolina Day School how to turn cherished greeting cards into mini journals using old classroom photocopies and scrap waxed linen from my studio. 

 

I prepared sample journals using cards that friends gave me as housewarming gifts as well as the boxes for tea and chocolate that helped me cope during the first week of my move.  All of the notebooks utilize papers that would have otherwise been trashed, including photocopies from my own teaching career, scraps from past bookbinding projects, and old stationary that a company was cleaning out. 

 

I'm already using several of these notebooks.  One is being used to jot down names of people I meet in my new town and general information about my house and property and surroundings.  Another is recording hikes that I take and restaurants that I eat at.  A third one has a list of books I want to borrow from the local library (I brought that one with me today when I made my first visit--hey, free fun artist date!). 

 

It makes keeping track of these things easy and meaningful.  I love looking at the notebooks gathered near my computer... it's more appealing than magnetizing them to my refrigerator!  When I'm finished with these notebooks, they will stack nicely on a bookshelf or store easily in a memory box to keep forever.

Early Wings

 

The first butterfly book of the season, swooped up by a new artist friend that I met while demonstrating for the Connestee Art League.  She is itching to begin a visual journal using this book and requested that I embellish some of her blank pages with words and imagery.  I penciled in some phrases that were significant to our encounter as well as a few photocopy transfers.  I love playing with creative people :)))

 

 

I have a request for YOU!  I hike every single day but only occasionally come across butterfly specimens.  I have no idea where they go when their short sweet life is over.  If anyone can help me collect butterfly specimens, I would be happy to offer an artist trade.  I love making these books and would be eternally grateful.  Please email me at erinkeane@art-is-try-studio.com and thank you in advance!

Vignettes: "You Are Here"

 

Today I had the pleasure of demonstrating the encaustic process for the Connestee Art League.  It was wonderful to connect with other like-minded artists and share stories, introduce new materials, get excited about ideas.  I prepared several vignettes ahead of time so they could see the wax being applied as well as the visual difference in effect.  Do you notice the subtle depth, the soft glow, the ethereal mystery?

 

 

These vignettes are teeny tiny, 4 inches by 2.5 inches, miniature beauties to hold in your hand and kiss.

 

Afterwards I took a much needed artist date by myself--a long meandering hike around the lovely trails of Connestee.  There were several waterfalls that took my breath away as well as wildflowers in bloom (specifically Oconee Bells, which I'd never seen before),  interesting tree growths, log bridges over creeks, handmade lettering naming Grandkids Pond and The Sanctuary, and one random rusted car door.  The trails were very well marked with signs saying "You Are Here."

 

 

"You Are Here."  Yes I am.  These vignettes evolved from "Vignettes" to "Vignettes: You Are Here."

my *unusual* delay

 

Finally back in the studio and it feels so good...

(surface prep for a series of encaustics)

 

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I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever have the time and energy to work again!  Moving is physically and mentally draining and it took me awhile to set up my studio in a functional way.  I'm a tad bit behind in my work--in part because of my *unusual* delay--but I can happily say I'm back at it!

 

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Speaking of *unusual* delay, I'd like to tell the story, at least as much as I know (I never got the whole story from the other side...).  I am moving forward and that includes leaving behind bitterness, but I want to share the objective details in case it helps someone else avoid this traumatic situation.

Everyhing started out smoothly. I found my Dream Home on February 4th and knew immediately it was the one. Love at first sight DOES happen. The inspection confirmed the house was perfect (literally, nothing was wrong with it, except one tiny piece of insulation hanging loose in the crawl space). It sounds silly, but I believe this is my "house soul mate"--and I couldn't wait to begin our relationship.

Being a cash buyer, I was prepared for a quick closing one month later on March 6th. The seller, on the other hand, needed extra time in the house to get his ducks in a row. I understood his reasons and sympathized, so I agreed and at the closing we signed an addendum to the contract called "Seller Possession After Closing" which allowed him to remain on the property until March 23rd. I did not ask for any rent, I was just happy to own my Dream Home and help him along the way.

Over the course of the proceedings, a few things happened to make me nervous. I will leave out details that are personal to the seller, but two things are pertinent to this situation: the seller's agent would not confirm the date of key exchange nor give us the seller's contact information. Considering that I now owned the property (and the seller was living in my home), this was unsettling.

As March 23rd grew closer, the seller requested an extension. I was given the reason why but no firm information regarding the date. When I asked (again) for the seller's contact information so that I could talk to him directly, I was rebuffed (again) by his agent. Red flags waved in my face. Already having my own plans in place--a moving truck, helpers, and art orders to fill immediately upon moving in--I turned down this request. I did not want to risk one extension turning into another extension and then another and another. My attorney met with the seller and his agent in person and communicated this clearly.

I heard nothing else about an extension during the next couple weeks and started packing up my belongings. Unfortunately, I also heard nothing else about exchanging the keys. My agent contacted the seller's agent numerous times in the attempt to retrieve the keys, but to no avail.

On Friday March 22nd, with my entire life and business packed up in boxes, I got a phone call from my attorney stating that the seller was refusing to vacate the property and that my only legal recourse was eviction. It was a horrible moment. It was a horrible day. It was a horrible weekend, since I couldn't take any action on non-business days. The next week, when I looked into eviction, I discovered it is a lengthy process and can be dragged out indefinitely with appeals. The worst part was not knowing. Not knowing when the seller would move out. Not knowing when I'd be able to move in and unpack my business and fulfill my responsibilities and earn income again. Not knowing whether the house would be damaged or if I'd have to protect myself from a revengeful previous owner.

 

Thankfully, with attorney pressure and threat of legal action, we got a separate signed contract for an April 3rd move-out.  And as you know, I successfully moved in on April 4th and I love the house with all my heart.  So it all worked out, and at the end of the day I'm choosing to be "better" and not "bitter."  

 

I still don't understand how this situation happened. Questions swirl in my mind: Why did the legal system not protect me? Why could I not call the sheriff and force him to vacate my property, which I own 100%? Despite a basically happy ending, it was surreal and disturbing and negatively affected my business and life--and it could've been a lot worse. How can someone else avoid a similar situation? Was it the Seller Possession After Occupancy addendum? Can this happen during a normal closing? I honestly don't know. If anyone has legal experience and can give helpful advice to people reading this post, please leave that advice in the comment section. Maybe my story can help other people in the future.

 

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In closing (har har, very punny) I say HOORAY and THANK YOU for all the crossed fingers n toes!

 

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(Erin's fallen and can't get up)

I am seriously seriously exhausted.  The move went smoothly (despite my *unusual* delay) and I had rock stars for helpers: Amy and Connie helped me clean the poo out of the house, Tim and his buddies moved all the furniture and millions of boxes and let me point "there" and "here" and "oops can we move this here and that there," Mary Carol brought 12 Bones blueberry chipotle ribs and comic relief for lunch, and my parents arrived Friday afternoon and did everything else possible to get me organized and settled in plus they wined n dined me. (boxes are now gone and I have an almost fully functional home and studio!)

 

 

Seriously seriously exhausted.

 

I was trying to pretend I was actually dead, but I got the giggles.

 

 

Trust me, I did work my booty off, I just couldn't move afterwards. I still can't move!

 

 

The great room will function as my art and teaching studio, with a cozy sitting nook.

 

I'll even use my dining room table for art... a visual journal play area (wanna play with me?).

 

 

The rest of the house is a nice size, with a large kitchen and bathroom and ginormous bedroom. 

My couch and coffee table and bookshelf are set up in the bedroom as a relaxing getaway spot.

 

This is the front view of my house (that's my neighbors' house in the background).

 

View from the front porch down the driveway.  The stairs lead to a shed.

 

 

Yes, that view is from my front yard.  And I own 4 acres of wooded land!

 

I am in love with this house and land.  I've been checking out the nearby trails (literally just down the street) and getting to know my neighbors who are super friendly and knowledgeable about the area.  

 

All is well!

 

(I'm still gonna be quiet for awhile though as I regain my energy and catch up on studio work)

* TALK SOON * xo, Erin