On April 6 and 7, Newton open Studios will open artist doors for free. Come pick up a map at Eastern Bank (1255 Centre Street) located in Newton Centre. Carol Stoltze, Martha Doolin and I will be setting up our canvases, drawings and jewelry and we would love to get a visit from you! We are very close to Starbucks, so stop in for a coffee and a browse! We will be there both days from 11am – 5 pm.
For more information go to https://.newtonopenstudios.org.
I’ve seen paintings crop up at shows with the label “Cold Wax” which interested me because I always wanted to learn encaustic painting. Encaustic is also known as hot wax painting, and involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to a surface. There is a learning curve with it, especially because it can burn you. And it requires specialized materials. Not so with cold wax. You do need a few new cans of this and that but it is easy to set up and use.
See my first cold wax paintings here. One of my teachers at Concord Art took a class with Pamela Caughey who has a You Tube video on how to start painting with cold wax. This was all I needed to get started. You will need a wood panel, acrylic and oil paints, cold wax medium and clear gesso. It is a process of mark marking and layering, which will pull you out of your old habits and be free. The marks are added with graphite and acrylic paints. The clear gesso is then applied to provide a base for the wax. Mix the wax 50/50 with oil paint and apply with rubber tools and spatulas. You can cover areas and be selective about what you keep and what you cover. Go to cold wax paintings.
While I was in a week long plein air class at Truro Center for the Arts, I noticed some of the students using a pochade box. It is an artist easel and supply box that mounts on a tripod. Since I have a Bogen Tripod from my photography days, I decided this was the perfect solution. I was tired of hauling around a portable table, easel and box to do my painting, especially on hots days in the summer.
I did a bit of research and ordered the medium Sienna pochade box online for $158. I liked it but it was too small. I sent it back intending to buy the large version. But at $188, I was a bit hesitant. Fortunately, I hesitated long enough to come up with another cheaper solution.
A few years ago I purchased a used artist box (including some paints) for $20 at a flea market. I’ve been using that along with the metal easel with expandable legs and table, etc. Too many parts. The more I looked at this box, the more I realized it had every feature I needed. It has a place for paints and brushes, of course, but also four slots for 12 x 16″ art boards (larger than the Sienna medium box would accommodate) and paint palette, which slide right into the grooves in the top. That will carry one or two wet paintings and a cleaned up palette back to the car. The only option missing was being able to slant the box top back to angle the board while painting. I discovered if I use the bottom of the case to secure the board, it should be fine. But how to secure the box to the tripod?
I knew from my research that you could buy a tripod attachment plate from an art supply store in the UK for a little over $10. I screwed this right into the middle of the bottom of the box. As I feared, the screws are too long and came through the bottom, so my husband used a rotary tool to cut off the excess. Now I can add paint tubes without worrying they will get pierced by the screw points. It’s important to keep your materials at a minimum. Not more than six or so tubes of paint and brushes to keep the weight light. Additional materials can go in an old back pack. So, back pack, box and tripod and you are good to go! Happy painting!
Note: One more item for a faster set up is a quick release tripod attachment. Just get one that is made for your brand of tripod.
New paintings and photos from the workshop with Christopher Volpe to be posted soon. What a week! Here is a sneak peek!
“Deeps Woods” was finished just in time to be included in the Newton Art Association’s New Member Show. It will be held through the month of June at the Nordic Hall, Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham Street, West Newton. The public reception is Saturday, June 2, from 3pm to 4:30pm. Unfortunately, I can’t make the opening, as I will be celebrating a 30th wedding anniversary with my husband!