Recent work, watercolor

Attempting a more close version of thought.

Recent work, watercolor

Needs a little flattening out but I may tweak it a bit.

Recent work, haworthia, watercolor

Encaustic Techniques and Information

Looking for help with encaustic, I have received a few emails about where to find it on my website. It's on another page, this is my blog, you can read all sorts of  articles here, but! if you need to know proper temps., how to make the medium, or just wondering about an assortments of tools and what-not >> Click on the link, "Encaustic Resources," at the right, or copy and paste this into your address bar http://parksartworkstoolstechnique.blogspot.com/

Happy waxing :) 

Jonathan

Tugging on Motivation

Recently some items came back to me after a long absence, they were living in a far away land, one known as Indiana. But now I have them, and most particular to why I am writing, other than the fact that I have not written in a long while, amongst these items were a few books that motivated me, at least when I first got them, to tap further into my ideas, my art. 

The environment, as a whole, has always been at the core of my work, but I have focused a lot on bird and plant life, color, and visual textures. Not that I want to stop with that focus, but I feel a need to explore more of the whole. Also since I treat medium and subject connectively, some subjects lean more to a specific medium than the other, and that sometimes leaves one medium feeling neglected.

I have been trying to get back into the studio, so to speak, the only studio I ever had was through the university where I received my graduate degree, but anyway that is another story... I have been trying to get back to work with more land based, the, "whole," type pieces, more documentation of encaustic as a medium, and well, just to make art in general. Which brings me back to the books. I thought I would share a few images with you that I found to pull at my motivation a little bit. One book is on Indiana geology from 1881, I was attracted to the plates, which include around sixty of them. I have always admired the graphic and design quality, especially with this subject matter.

And from a two volume, 3008 page picture dictionary, where there are endless images to glean ideas from, including odd things I would never relate to a word. And lastly, a book on insects.

As always, thank you for reading.

some of..., My Plants Took Over

Well, this winter my plants took over my work space, at least the ones that live on the porch for the summer, makes it hard to get started. Hopefully they will be on the way out of doors soon.

It was finished

I thought I could update with a photo of the piece I was working on, that I posted last time. I was commissioned to paint some Carolina Chickadees from a friend and fellow artist, she gave it as a wedding gift for a couple back in the Carolinas- I hope it found a good home!

Currently Working On

Hello All,

I was thinking, as long as I am sitting here, sneezing uncontrollably from some unknown thing, and pausing from painting... I thought I might try to type something up. Not much to say though, or can say, the sneezing... I am working on this Carolina chickadee WC, similar to my other works of birds (view more at http://parksartworksportfolio.blogspot.com/p/book.html), I hope to have it done soon, if the sneezing every stops.

- Jonathan

P.S. Using Caran d'Ache Neocolor II water-soluble pastels on Moleskine watercolor book.

Fledgling Autism Respite Program Needs Your Help

Not currently, but during the past three years, in some way, shape, or form, I had been teaching visual arts to children and teens with autism. During that time I have met and know a lot of dedicated and talented people. One of these individuals is working deligently to raise money for a respite program dedicated to children with autism. I would like to take a moment and help spread the word to anyone who can help them reach their goal. Watch a video below and go to http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/199901 to make a donation, any amount will help and is greatly appreciated!


From PlayTime Respite

My name is Nicholas Bonney and I work with kids on the Autism Spectrum. I currently work for an Art/Respite Program in the Albuquerque Metro Area and I absolutely love what I do. I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and I am pursuing a masters in Music Therapy. 

Everyone knows or is acquainted with someone on the autism spectrum and whether or not it is on the rise or just becoming more recognized in society, can be debated. However, that is not the point here.

The point is to provide these children with a safe space, which meets their sensory needs and gives their parents or care takers a break from a life which can be highly demanding.

I own a building separate from my house which is about 600 sq ft. Instead of using the building for personal space I have decided to give back to my community and have found that they need respite care for children with Autism ages 4-6 years old. I have exhausted many fundraising efforts in my community and have raised a enough money to demolish the inside of the building, put on a new roof and pour a new floor. People have donated supplies and I have also raised money for some art supplies, shelving units and some furniture for when we open. 

However, this building needs a bathroom, a kitchen, drywall, electricity and plumbing for starters. I believe that the community at large is interested in seeing children with ASD thrive in society. This can happen if they are given a place where they can truly express themselves . This respite program will provide, Art, Gardening, Music, Free Play, Floor Time Activities, and a natural playscape outside of the building. We also plan to equip it with a full kitchen to prepare food, make messes and conduct science experiments. 

THANK YOU for your help as we make a difference in the lives of children with ASD and provide free time to their parents and guardians. 

Go to, http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/199901 to make a donation.

Pronghorn in New Mexico

I recently went up to Santa Fe from ABQ with the chance to see some pronghorn. Being from Indiana originally, and seeing them for the first time, and wild, I was really excited to say the least. It also got me to thinking, I need to start posting again, even if my time is limited with trying to find work. Anyway, I thought this was a good way to get back at it, and maybe touch on something that has been bugging me with photography. 

What's bugging me? I will tell you. I can't afford thirty grand for a camera setup even though I know I have the skill to make good use of..., no, great use, great use of such equipment. Almost anyone can go buy that equipment if they have the money, press a button, and whahlah, get a great image. But there is still artistry in photography, even if it has become kinda automatic, that you can't press a button for. I own a lot of cameras, most good old fashion 35mm manual cameras, like the Nikon F2, or Olympus OM1, but film is expensive, thus digital comes in. I don't own a DSLR, and it was only recent that I had a point and shoot. But finally I stepped up and bought this half point and shoot, half DSLR, and I have been pretty happy with the results. Not to make this a review about cameras, my point being is, you do not need a DSLR to get great pictures, they are over-rated in some respect. You actually might get some good experience by having to work at getting a picture. 

Back to the pronghorn, I could have used a telephoto lens if I had one, only, all I had was the built in optical zoom. All that didn't matter though, my pictures aren't as great as if I would have had professional setup, but what I got was much better. Over a hundred yards away and with a tripod I worked twice as hard to get what I got than anyone would have with a big fancy camera. You will be much more satisfied with your work when you have to work for it. 

Pronghorn are pretty awesome, they were well worth the effort. 

Thanks for Reading,

Jonathan