Encaustic: What's Next?

I started working with encaustic a decade ago, drawn to it's sculptural qualities as a painting medium. (Image- one of the first encaustic painting that I had ever painted: Untitled 10" x 10" 2002.)  I set up the Encaustic Resource Pages to provide basic to advanced tutorials and information, plus supplemental info., such as where to purchase supplies. Now... the next step is up for suggestion.

Beyond the information out there that wasn't out there just a few years ago, the more recent information, personal blogs, websites, YouTube videos, instructional DVDs- all rely mostly in suggestions and personal technique. I myself suggest using one tool over another, say one is better suited. I can give you information on temperatures, substrates, brands, or safety precautions. And, I have given much of this, this kind/sort/type of information on those resource pages. However, I would like to offer more, but it is clear to me that this is quite difficult to do or to decide upon not knowing the express needs of the individual. I could further the site with more photographs or videos of step by step visual instruction on a topic. As visual artists there is no harm in offering more visual aids. Knowing, sometimes it is easier to see how, than to be told how.

So what is next for my Encaustic Resource Pages, particularly Tools and Techniques in encaustic (outside of video/image tutorials), is there something drastically missing? Is there something you are looking for that isn't there? Perhaps a full fledged website would be nice (no money for that right). Better navigation never hurts. A collection of works from artist who use wax or encaustic as a medium would be cool. This is all open to suggestion- even if you don't work in encaustic.

Personally I will be trying to keep up by posting news on what I am personally doing art wise, including encaustic- primarily in a sculptural realm. So stay tuned, comment, ask question, and/or wait.

As always, thank you for reading,
Jonathan 

Current Work Continues: Installation?

Lately I seem to get stuck with the idea of: Should I or should I not make what I am working on an installation? I have not come to all the ideas of what it clearly is- therefor it is difficult to say that I want to take that route. Anyway, here is another glimpse, an addition to the project I posted previously- a display cabinet, adding to the fourteen foot long piece of meandering wood and encaustic sculpture. I hope to add more encaustic 'parts' or 'pieces' to the whole thing at a later date- so I will continue.

Current Encaustic Project

Path | 1 x 168 in.

A glimpse of my current piece, encaustic and wood. This project is intended as sort of an installation, titled, "path," it is one of several in a series of pieces on the topic of land. It is building on the idea of the trail, a confined pathway that is natural and unnatural. The piece is intended to cut through a space much like a pathway or trail cuts through , meandering, conforming to it's environment. The piece is to be suspended and pictured here as a work in progress, temporarily installed in the artist studio floor.

Current Happening

Recently I had the pleasure of designing this ad... as well as photographing the art- which was used in the header design, within the ad, and on Ghost Ranch's website.

FROM THE AD

Opening Reception: Saturday August 27, 2011, 2-4 pm
@ Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre Education and Visitor Center

The Illusion of Colors, featuring a variety of bright energetic colors as creative expressions by artists who participate in the VSA Day Arts Program at North Fourth Art Center. In their varied and artistic ways, the artists interpret and celebrate different hues and ranges of color in the art of quilt making, unique ceramics and mixed media painting. Color has a great effect on us all, both emotionally and physically, and the artworks presented encourage interaction and discussion.

"We believe that art is to be shared, to be given and received with appreciation, respect and awareness. The red and yellow cliffs of Piedra Lumbre makes a magnificent backdrop for our artists' colorful work," said Lina Jabra, Community Development Director.

The goal of the exhibit is to highlight the artistic achievements of individuals with disabilities and provide opportunities to exhibit and sell their artwork statewide. Currently a portion of the sale of each work goes to support the Ghost Ranch Piedra Lumbre Education programs with the remaining portion going directly to the VSA artists.
________________________________________________________________________________

The visitor center is located on US Highway 84 between mile marker 225 & 226, just north of the main Ghost Ranch entrance. For more information and hours of operation
please call (505) 685-4312 or visit www.ghostranch.org.

REMINDER: Allyson Packer

REMINDER of upcoming exhibit.

Allyson Packer; fellow artist and friend, is having an upcoming exhibition of her work in Albuquerque, NM at the Harwood Art Center; I wanted to take a moment and offer her my support.

Allyson Packer works in a variety of media, taking subject matter from her own life and using it to examine the human need to seek out structure and understand our place within it. She received her BFA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and has shown nationally in Maryland, Minnesota, and New Mexico. She was the recipient of the Harwood Art Center's 2010 Crissey Emerging Artist Fellowship and has been named a 2011 fellow at the McColl Center for Visual Art in Charlotte, NC.

Her upcoming exhibition, "As Much as I Can Carry: Personal Plans for Survival," the artist creates installations reflecting on her experiences surrounding time she spent living in New Mexico. Using the theme of survivalism in the desert, her artwork tells the story of an individual searching for meaning in a desolate environment. Serving as a site for the projection of an internal conflict, the desert reveals both the conscious desire for autonomy and subconscious desire for comfort and inclusion.

You can find out more about Allyson and her work at these websites, http://allysonpacker.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/user/allypak.

So if you are in ABQ, go see Allyson's show, Opening Friday, July 1, 2011 6pm-8pm.

As Much as I Can Carry: Personal Plans for Survival

At the Harwood Art Center main gallery

1114 7th Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 242-6367

http://harwoodartcenter.org

Thank you for reading,

Jonathan

P.S. Thanks A.P., for the info :)

World Refugee Day

Hello All,

As part of World Refugee Day, it would seem that some of the lessons on encaustic monoprints came front and center. Come out and support- wherever you are in the world.

As always- thank you for reading,

Jonathan

For more information on World Refugee Day, search World Refugee Day or visit http://www.un.org/en/events/refugeeday/.

Americorps Exhibition at VSA N4th Art Center

Hey folks,

I have been a little busy co-curating an upcoming exhibit dedicated to all the hard working Americorps at VSA N4th Art Center. Exhibition details can be seen on the postcard to your right and below.

It has, from what I understand, been a tradition to offer an exhibition to those artists who come to work and teach their talents; offering their skills through N4th's programs. Such talents range from theatre, music, visual arts, and more- they all are more than grateful for this opportunity to display their artistry. So...

Come out and support those who have dedicated their time, energy, and talents; opening reception is June 3rd from 5 pm. to 7 pm. at:

Support Some Good Folk

Hello All,

I wanted to divert from typical posts and throw out some support for friends, family, and just a couple of random things I just happen to like.

I would like to start with music, and with music, it is easier to listen than read; so I will keep it brief. The Albuquerque Boys Choir (ABQBC), a a'cappella, acoustic, folk band; two ladies I had the pleasure of working with my first year as Americorps; sound pretty good and not to mention, friends:)

ABQBC has this thing at there house every once and again that they call, "Communion," where a bunch folks get together and play music and such and have a good old time. Anyhoo, those little shindigs led me to mention, The Good Ship S.S. Perry, good luck in NYC. Which all led me to Bandcamp a website for musicians- where I found lots of stuff to listen to while making art, like  Lemelo (cool to be the first from NM to buy:), Jeans Boots, and many other great bands (that I don't personally know but like their music).  Point being support friends and small bands and stuff alike, cus well I'm a small, (uh- artist) myself.

Speaking of artists, a little reminder, Allyson Packer, and also check out another friend, lamagnolia. Easier to see than me write; but they are worth a looksy.

I don't want to forget my sister sells stuff, so check out hurricanehetta. Stuff she makes, stuff she finds, stuff that's vintage, stuff that's a good price.

Also if you know me, or- eruh- I guess don't know me, shoot me a link of similar subjects and I will post it (as long as it is not to objectionable).

Thanks for reading, and looking, and supporting, and well anything else
Jonathan

*ABQBC photo credit Eric Parthum

Artwork by Exploratory Arts Studio Artists; from VSA N4th Art Center

Hello Readers,

I would like to take a moment and share with you the upcoming exhibition of artists from VSA N4th Art Center's Exploratory Program. 

I had the pleasure of working with many talented artist within Exploratory as part of my first year through Americorps. It is nice to see their efforts move out into the community. So, if you are in or from around Albuquerque, or know someone who is, come and support the artists and your local community. The exhibit will be taking place at Hookah Kings Westside, 9784 Coors Blvd. NW (First right after Irving Blvd.) Albuquerque, NM 87114.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for supporting your local artists
Jonathan Parks

P.S. You can also visit VSA N4th art center to see more of the artists work. To learn more how you can support, visit:
4904 Fourth Street NW

Albuquerque, NM 87107

http://www.facebook.com/VSANorthFourth
http://vsartsnm.org/

Glass Landscape

There is this most ridiculous of places to leave a person in wonderment. Situated far to close to the Rio Grande River in Albuquerque, NM- in what should be prime riparian habitat; yet I can not help but accept it's presence.

Environmental blight or spectacular dreamscape, this dumpsite which was repeatedly burned to remove waste has left behind a glittering landscape to behold. I realize what harm such a place held and holds on the environment; particularly so close to the river. However, as an artist I like to see the potential in what has already come to be. Some say leave it be, some sort of beautiful place everyone should visit. Some go rake and bucket in hand to seek out their treasures. Some would demand the clean-up of what could easily be labeled- environmental hazard; return what was made wrong and make it right again.

I can see where most rational opinions can have a place. As someone who cares dearly for the natural world I wish such things would not be. Treating this place as some sort of historic site or preserving it's place in the world seems a bit much in my opinion. People learn from their own and their predecessors mistakes; accepting what is and finding something new and good in it all- also is where I stand. However, I don't think someone should visit digging with a rake or shovel for that special find; only to stir it about- health hazards I imagine abound. I expect mercury and lead amongst the black dust and glass. Remnants of pasts lives, mostly broken (lol, the glass- not necessarily their lives), some not broken, some melted, ceramic shards, and occasional pieces of metal. Bottles may still even have their caps- joking if you are to open one of those scarcities you may unleash the plague, but unlikely.

I can imagine there are places like this all over the world; but, this is almost in my backyard. The leftovers of decades of seemingly endless glass- left behind when all else has smoltered away by ignorance. Have to say you need to see the beauty in it and move past to something better- like melted lightbulbs :)

Thanks for Reading!