Thoughts after the encaustic conference

 I've been to all kinds of conferences over the years and I know one thing for sure, you never know what impacts your learning until long after the event has moved off in your memory.  Sometimes years later one little thing pops up in your work and you realize it was prompted by something you took in years before.  All learning isn't confined to presentations at a conference either.  Chats with new friends, sights seen, conversations post session, art work you see and mind ramblings all gel together to create new pathways in your brain.  I feel that mine is firing on all cylinders right now from my recent experiences.

 There was a great mix of the professional side of an artist's life with the practical hands on aspects of encaustic.  Since it was my first conference I didn't participate in the mini art exhibit or the art trade.  I wanted to get a feel for the whole thing.  Next year will be a different story.  That's right, plans are under way for a return visit.

 And why wouldn't we plan a trip back when we  get to stay in a lovely condo.....

walk on the beach in the early morning....

eat outside in the sun with like minded attendees ....

eat celebratory cake...

attend excellent demos (Image Transfers, Tracy Spadafora)....

and post conference workshops (Mainly Metals, Charyl Weissbach)...

and professional development panels.

On the session side of things I focused on monotypes, image transfers, creating textures, working with metals,  stencils and masks. Paper featured prominently in two of the presentations I took in. I also saw a great presentation that demonstrated how to use an iron in encaustic ( I have one ordered).  It looked so easy I think it's cheating! I'll have more on these topics later.

Place plays a prominent role in all my learning because its feel through  colours, shapes and textures always weaves a subtle web around me and  has  a profound effect on later artwork.  In Cape Cod I loved the weathered wood and the brightly coloured shutters which seem to connect with the riot of colours in the well maintained gardens. The sky was blue the whole time I was there.

And I got to go from the Provincetown ferry to the  airport bus stop in a water taxi.... a touch of Venice in Boston.
 Signing off for now...