Last 2 weeks!

Only 2 more weeks to see ‘WOMEN AND WAX” show at the Art Center Sarasota…

If you have not seen it… you are missing one of the best art exhibits in Sarasota!

Encaustic, meaning: "to burn in", dates back to 5th Century BC.  Used as a contemporary medium it is a versatile method of painting with a beeswax based paint kept molten on a heated palette, Wax is a luscious medium, worked in layers, translucent and sensual.

What people are saying:

" ... Congratulations, these works are extraordinary: loved the way that they shine!”

“thank you for bring these encaustic artists to Sarasota”!

Art Center Sarasota

707 N Tamiami Trail

941 3652032

Open Tues through Saturday 10am to 4pm

Joanne Mattera
Diamond Life # 9

 

 

Diana González Gandolfi
HIDDEN LINEAGE

Karen Freedman
Ruche 0399

December 12th

Taken at Art Basel, sorry, do not have artist name.

 

Life changing experiences are a call to make yourself whole.

I am in the process of juggling time in the studio, time for teaching and time for myself..

I realize that the time in the studio needs to take center stage in these 2 coming months. 

I have been invited to be part of this years:

CREATORS AND COLLECTORS TOUR 

in late March. 

So, I have not had much time for updating the 

blog and/or redoing my web page, 

but, promise: that is next on the list!

FEAR NO ART!

My friend and wonderful artist, Catherine Nash, is seeking funding for an exiting new venture: A project on Contemporary Paper and Encaustic, an e-publication surveying international artists who integrate paper and encaustic in innovative and inspiring works. You can see her work in the Women and Wax show at the Art Center Sarasota and also at USA Projects... just follow the link below. Please help her continue her work and make this publication into a rich resource!

Thank you! 

Contemporary Paper and Encaustic: International Trends by Catherine Nash
United States Artists -  www.unitedstatesartists.org 

She says:

"My focus is to present artworks that push the boundaries of paper and encaustic while simultaneously creating a relevant contribution to the contemporary art world."

WOW! National Show of Encaustic Work

WOW! Women & Wax will feature the leading artists in the field who are dedicated to the innovation of contemporary art and ideas. Artists from around the country were chosen for their innovative and contemporary use of the Encaustic medium. The exhibit provides a platform for dialogue and education, while increasing the understanding and appreciation of encaustic art.

Encaustic is one of the oldest forms of painting wherein beeswax, resin and pigment are layered and then fused to produce a luminous surface that both captures and transforms light. These artists melt, layer, scrape, and sculpt to create their individual vision in wax.

Curated by: Elena De La Ville

At the Art Center Sarasota

 

Invited artists:

 

Binnie Birstein

Neverne Covington

Karen Freedman  

Diana González Gandolfi

Joanne Mattera

Laura Moriarty

Nancy Natale

Catherine Nash

Jane Allen Nodine

Opening Reception:  November 3^rd

Show runs: Novemver 3 – December 31 - 2011

Art Center Sarasota:707 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236-4050
(941) 365-2032

Shirin Neshat

Woman of Allah@ Shirin Neshat

I have always loved Shirin's photographs of Iranian women.. I posted about her film:
"Women without Men" in an earlier post:
http://elenadelaville.blogspot.com/2009/12/seen-at-cisneros-fontanal-art.html

Here are some more:

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHIRIN NESHAT:

In an Interesting interview conduted several years ago by John Lekay of Heyoka magazine:

"Is one of your intentions to investigate or subvert stereotypes? "

 Shirin says:   " In regard to your point, my interest in the subject of women is partially due to the fact that as a woman I feel closer and more sympathetic toward their situation living under oppressive societies. But also, because I believe in Islamic societies such as in Iran, by studying the predicament of the women, one could learn about the overall ideological structure of the political system that rules the country. "

http://heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.4.FOTOS.ShirinNeshat.htm

I Am it's Secret, 1993

You can see more here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOjqX4rgS9c

Images of the week

I am still teaching every morning, but will soon ( by this friday) have full time for the studio till September!
Reentering back from the encaustic conference and P town was a bit rough, but cannot stop thinking about what a great conference it was and how we as a group have grown and blossomed.!
Thanks again to Joanne Mattera and Cherie Mittenthal.

Encaustic Conference

Just finished teaching a wonderful 2-day workshop on Photography and Encaustic at Castle Hill Center for the Arts in Truro, Mass.

I have been in Provincetown, MA for the last week attending the 5^th International Encaustic Conference, and it has been an incredible experience! The whole event makes me aware of the many talented and wonderful artists embrace this medium… 

I am so happy to be part of this group!..

here are a few images and will be posting more…

 The Moors

Province Lands

Cake presented to Director Joanne Mattera for her incredible vision and work

She was totally surprised and really touched!

Joanne Mattera and Jane Allen Nodine

To top it off, we held a drum circle last night to celebrate.

Almost forgot!

This was a good write up in the local paper:
http://www.provincetown.com/fine_provincetown_art_craft/gallery_dealer_photo/_/18474/

Notes from Land's End: Going Global, Provincetown Style: By Laura Shabott June 6th, 2011

Artists from 35 U.S. States and 6 countries (Brazil, Spain, UK, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand) gathered at the Provincetown Inn this past weekend to immerse themselves in the medium of encaustic wax. Joanne Mattera, Founder and Director of The Encaustic Conference, says, “Having this festival in collaboration with Castle Hill is a match made in heaven.” Provincetown opens it arms world-wide and says, “Come stay, work, create and play.”
  Kobalt Gallery Curator Francine D’ Olimpio selected works that encompassed a wide range of composition and content. One standout is “Bee Habitat” by Venezuelan Elena De La Ville, a piece using fabric, rust and beeswax. “The sculptural form even attracts bees”, said the artist/bee-keeper. "Over 120 participants are also attending post conference workshops at Castle Hill", says Cherie Mittenthal, their Executive Director. “Joanne and I worked very hard to make this the most exciting conference ever.” Brava, ladies.

Stories embedded in Wax

De La Ville, Torso, Feathers,  2011

 Narrative in Wax

Wax can be used as glue, as a transparent layer and also as a mask. I will introduce the work of several contemporary artists that use Narrative Collage as expression, focusing on the story-telling element in their work. 

Join me for my talk at the 5th International Encaustic Conference on Sunday June 5th at 3 pm.

Encaustic Conference

Just finished a 1-day brush up workshop for 3 students, last one before I head up north. We had fun, they produced very interesting work and wanted to come again tomorrow ;>0)

I am getting ready for my trip to Boston and Cape Cod for the 5th Encaustic Conference. It is this time of the year again!

I am a presenter and will be giving a talk on Narrative in Wax on Sunday at 3 pm. I will also be teaching a post conference workshop on Photography and Encaustic on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 7th and 8th, at Castle Hill Center for the Arts.

 

My work has been selected Beeline show at the Kobalt Gallery in Provincetown. It opens on June 3rd and coincides with the encaustic conference.

Spring in Florida

In my painting studio I have been working in a new direction that  involves steel, fabric and raw comb wax made into “Cocoons”  that will be hung in close proximity to my hives in Old Myakka.  These will become living habitats for my bees and I will document the process via photography and video. They will then be exhibited, (part 2) as bee-modified habitats.

Each piece hangs from a wire and moves and turns slowly in the air. It is a motion and time continuum.

 

Open Studio

My new gallery is almost ready.

 I want to invite you to share the beginning of

The Gallery@ Bay Road!!!

I am holding my first open studio evening this Saturday from 5 to 8 pm. Please drop by before, after or during your evening events and feel free to invite your interested friends.

I will have art in my gallery, in the upstairs studio and in the courtyard facing the water with a fantastic sunset and welcoming courtyard. Not to mention the exiting new and older pieces in encaustic, birch, metal and paper.

I have both original, small works and prints available.

 

I need to make space for the next series of work!

If you cannot make it on Saturday, my gallery will be open by appointment.

Please come by! 

Conference, workshops and new venture!

I have been gearing up for the best encaustic conference ever in the world: The 5th International Encaustic Conference in early June. Artists from around the globe will be descending on Cape Cod for a week of learning, reconnecting and sharing our passion for the medium.

Joanne Mattera and Cherie Mittenthal, Executive Director at Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, have joined forces to hold this important event in the contemporary art world:

From the website

http://encausticconference.blogspot.com/

I will be presenting a talk on Sunday, June 5, from 3:00—4:00: 
Narratives in the Wax: in which I will show and discuss the work of several artists who use storytelling and narrative as an integral part of their work.

I will also be teaching a 2-day workshop:
Photo and Encaustic,
June 7 & 8, Tuesday & Wednesday
9 – 4 pm
2 Sessions at Castle Hill

“This is an opportunity to study with a master of mixed media who incorporates photography into her own work. In this workshop you will learn how to incorporate photographs into encaustic paintings and to transfer photographic images onto a wax surface. You will learn mounting techniques to secure paper substrates or photographs, textural techniques such as stencils, and surface techniques such as encaustic pouring. Proper tools and safety procedures will be discussed.”

 Thank you who have enrolled and I am looking forward to meeting all of you!

Also: Ongoing small and private encaustic workshops are held in my Sarasota studio:

Next dates:
Feb 17 and 18
March: 17 and 18
April:  21 and 22
Email me if interested.

In my spare time,  ))…I have also started a new venture: Recycled Relics, in conjunction with Pat Gormley, we proudly transform discarded material into contemporary, unique and functional wearable art.

We create functional pieces and accessories made of recycled inner tubes, bottle caps, copper, silver and steel, sewn into belts, bags, clothing and body adornments. The forged steel buckles and clasps are made from repurposed found materials.

We forge, we sew, we design and create each individual piece.

visit us at:
http://recycledreclics.blogspot.com/

Working on the marketing aspects of it now…
so many things, so much fun!