Waiting for Spring

Here in Michigan, we are finally seeing the first glimmers of Spring. The crocus flowers are blooming and the daffodils are beginning to push their way up through the earth. I'm smart enough to know that the cold weather isn't over yet, but it leaves me hopeful that it is just around the corner.

Perhaps this is what is driving our latest series of artwork. Just looking out the window at the birds that are busy with their nest-building is enough inspiration for hours in the studio. And much of the work is focusing on birds and the other natural elements around us.

When you take the time to look at nature, there is such an abundance of inspiration. The colors and textures can be so familiar and comforting.

Soon, we will begin collecting leaves and twigs and other items that have fallen during our Spring storms, and these will somehow find their way into future works. We will sit with our sketchbooks and record the activities of the animals and birds that surround us. We will enjoy bringing Spring into our studio.

Getting Started

Since half of the team is in Corpus Christi at an art festival, guess which half is here in the studio trying to get things accomplished. This begs the question... just where do you start?

Some artists are not comforted by the sight of a blank canvas. I, on the other hand, am not normally deterred. There are just so many of them this time! The objective, then, is to block out as many distractions as possible and dive right in.

This time around, the focus is going to be on encaustic. I've been fascinated, of late, with triptychs and other pieces where multiple canvases are grouped together as one. This slant toward creating on the larger scale is very opposed to what other artist friends are doing... which is to keep things small. While I don't mind creating small, the larger canvases have been a challenge, and I've received so much personal satisfaction that I've decided to continue on in this direction. After all... isn't that what creating art is all about?

I've long been a supporter of following your passion rather than current marketing trends. While this may be considered fool-hardy by some, I think it makes the art ring more true and genuine... at least in the eyes of the creator!

So, if you visit us at an upcoming show, be prepared for some new triptychs and some multi-dimensional canvases. Be prepared for some pieces that work as singles or as a group. Be prepared for installations that go up piece by piece... with these canvases together creating the whole.

With all that being said, I'd better get down to the studio!