It's been a very busy few months since my last newsletter in June! I bought a small etching printing press for the studio, finally! My husband and I purchased a 2016 Winnebago View motorhome and toured American Southwest, including five states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado–not particularly in that order! We witnessed countless sunsets over rocks, cliffs and canyons of all colors, THE solar eclipse, and the wedding of two dear friends in the desert near Joshua Tree National Park. We saw most of the "Big Five" national parks in Southern Utah, then threw in Sedona and the Grand Canyon for good measure. We visited my daughter's family  (two granddaughters) and my son. WHAT an incredible journey! I am so grateful...

Back to business! I'm currently scheduling customized small group workshops in my beautiful encaustic studio in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Catch me while you can! I'll be departing in early April for yet another road trip–this time in the Pacific Northwest, followed by a long-anticipated group tour to Romania. I'm already out of breath just thinking about it! Contact me for full details about scheduling your workshop.

Galeria 69, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
News! I will be leaving this wonderful gallery in December. If you are in San Miguel or just visiting, please stop by to see my paintings and prints. The gallery is open every Friday from 4-7 pm, Saturdays from 11-2 pm & 4-7 pm. (closed 2-4 pm). Address: Orizaba 69, Colonia San Antonio in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Upcoming 2024 Show at Lynn Hanson Gallery in Seattle!
I have just spoken with the lovely and talented Lynn Hanson, of Lynn Hanson Gallery, and we are planning a "comeback" show! It will take place in March 2024. More details to come!

My art piece, "Dead Tweety in the Sea"
I was asked by Glen Rogers, an accomplished printmaker  from San Miguel de Allende, to create a piece for a show she curated called "Plastic Madness". It opened this fall in Cartagena, Columbia, and was a HUGE success! The focus of the exhibition addresses our over-dependence on PLASTIC, and the artworks are entirely made from plastic garbage. This show travels and may end up in a city near you! 

Pictured above: “Dead Tweety in the Sea”, plastic garbage, spray paint

All images COPYRIGHT 2023 Lisa JonesMoore

In a nutshell: I moved into an NEW downtown studio space in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, taught some fabulous encaustic workshops in the new space, renewed my Mexico residency status, travelled back to the United States TWICE in the spring, and sold my condo in Washington State…whew!

I have been back home in San Miguel for about a month, gathering energy to start “the work” once again and to start thinking about my 2023-2024 classes. I had a lovely-but-too-short visit with my two granddaughters in Las Vegas in March. In late April I was on the plane AGAIN heading to Denver to embark on a 12-day road trip with my son to Moab, Utah, for some camping–then continued to travel “solo” to Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico, to meet up with my artsy friends from Washington State and San Miguel (thanks Cheri O’Brien and Rae Miller for such good times!). I ended the trip back in Denver to visit with some very old-but-dear friends from my past lives, and my heart was brimming.

My tri-state road trip was AWESOME, to turn an over-used phrase, but I can think of no other word to describe the experience. Southern Utah, especially around Moab, filled my “well” to the brim with ancient red rocks, mysterious petroglyghs, towering cliffs, deeply-cut canyons, diamond-like stars and planets, fabulous sunsets AND the chance to see my son do his thing: climbing! In Northern New Mexico, Rancho Taos, Taos Pueblo, Santa Fe and El Santuario Chimayo blew my mind, and photos cannot do them justice. To be able to touch REAL adobe walls, to feel the deep history of the land of the ancient peoples who came before us, to see the traces of the Spaniards, Americans, and Mexicans who came to “conquer and capture” it all…is very hard to put into words. One must GO there to experience the strong “sense of place” and sense of Spirit that is called Northern New Mexico. I will return again and again!

All images COPYRIGHT 2023 Lisa JonesMoore

I’ve only been back in San Miguel de Allende after visiting family in the United States for 18 days, and my head is already spinning! Hordes of friends have been visiting during this beautiful–and relatively calm–time of year, and I’ve been busy completing the set-up of my new studio and classroom in the historical center of San Miguel. Wow! I expect to be ready for students and and my first open studio sometime in early December 2022. So, if you’re thinking of visiting San Miguel and wish to learn the art of encaustic painting, printmaking or collage, please contact me!

I have had a small amount of time on my hands to continue working with oils and cold wax medium, and recently completed a few small works. The piece that is pictured above is called “ Night Lily”, which I have also combined with collage. What FUN this is to do! It’s approximately 10x12” on panel, and is available for sale. I can ship it to you from here in Mexico if you wish to purchase this one, which also has a “companion” piece that would look lovely when hung together.

Recently, I participated in Nicholas Wilton’s FREE online course, the Breadcrumbs Challenge and loved it so much that I signed up for Art Spark 2022. Luckily I can work on my Art Spark Book for up to a year, Whew! Yes, even experienced artists can benefit from Nicholas’ wonderful courses in creativity.

But back to what’s happening in my NEW studio in San Miguel de Allende…I plan to offer 1-2 ongoing sessions per week, involving of course, encaustic (pigmented warm wax). I will also tailor classes to small groups, visiting or local, to teach them what they are interested in. My new studio & classroom are located near the VERY artsy Colonia Guadalupe–”colonia” means neighborhood–so that I can take breaks to walk the intimate streets, grab a bite to eat, and even buy art supplies at El Pato. I’m in heaven! Not only that, my studio is located above a salon & spa, so at the end of the day I can pop down for a massage or pedicure at Salon de Belleza Beauty Lab & Arte Sana Spa. And so can YOU if you take one of my classes!

Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead, All Saints Day and All Souls Day) are rapidly approaching! I was lucky enough to be able to join a group of serious sketchers lead by Rhoda Draws–yes that’s her real name–on a three day adventure to Morelia and Patzcuaro in Michoacan, Mexico, during this incredible holiday November 1-3. I’ll definitely be posting about this journey in my next blog post!

My encaustic printmaking workshop, scheduled for February 16-21 in 2023, still has FOUR spots open! This will take place in the beautiful Spanish Colonial city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage city and only one hour away from San Miguel de Allende. Check it our here or email me for more information! lisa@jonesmoorestudioart.com

That’s it for now! Come on down for a visit, take a class, learn about the fantastic Mexican culture and great food here in San Miguel de Allende. I dare you! HASTA PRONTO!

WHEW! Am I glad to be back in San Miguel de Allende, the place I now call “home”. During my seven weeks in the United States this summer, I gained granddaughter #2 while spending time with my daughter’s family & granddaughter #1 in Las Vegas. Then, onward to stay with my son in Boulder, Colorado, and visit with some very dear old friends. I was able to put in quite a few miles of hiking–to help maintain my sanity–in both the Greater Las Vegas area and along the Front Range of Colorado. I witnessed many, red rocks, canyons, mountains, valleys, sunsets, thunderstorms, cliffs, and ancient petroglyphs! My heart is full!

According to my trip calculations I occupied: six residences, slept on seven beds (including an air mattresses), possessed several car and house keys, and memorized 4 gate & door codes! No wonder I’m exhausted! And to boot, there was an unplanned scorpion infestation in my first rental condo in Las Vegas, which threw off my entire trip schedule and definitely bit into my trip budget. Unfortunately, one of the little critters stung me, and I had to vacate the premises in the middle of the night. But I digress…

Last springI was privileged to be able to spend time working in the printmaking studios and bed & breakfast establishments (Alma de Soul, Hotel del Color) of Hugo Anaya, located in the gorgeous Spanish Colonial City of Guanajuato. I attended a printmaking workshop there with Jeffrey Hirst, in April, and enjoyed it all so much that I returned to the studio in May to create more prints on my own–working alongside master printmaker extraordinaire Hugo, and his student intern from Portland State University. What a joy! Each afternoon we were treated to a lovely cold beer, to satisfy our thirst in the very hot weather that happens every May in Central Mexico. (see photo above!)

BACK IN THE STUDIO now, I’m pursuing some exciting mixed media techniques with both traditional and encaustic monoprints. I’m developing samples and techniques that I may be teaching at Hugo’s fantastic printmaking studio in February 2023. If you are interested in attending a workshop with me at Hugo’s place in Guanajuato, sometime during February 16-21, please send me an email for more information, and to help me gauge interest: lisa@jonesmoorestudioart.com

Links to Hugo Anaya’s bed and breakfast establishments in the City of Guanajuato are on Facebook here:

Alma Del Sol

Hotel Del Color

Yes I know! I'm way overdue for an update to my new live in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. When I last posted, my husband and I were about to embark on a 33-day holiday trip back to the United States to see family and friends in both Washington State and Las Vegas, Nevada. We "survived the trip" but just barely. I do believe that was my last time traveling in winter months, unless it's somewhere nearer to the equator! By the way, the photo accompanying this post is NOT of San Miguel, but rather the Valley of Fire, located within about an hour's drive of Las Vegas. What an incredible treat for the eyes! I highly recommend visiting this lesser-known area near Sin City. The endless landscape of red rock cliffs, formations and petroglyphs was mind-boggling.

Since arriving back in San Miguel in Central Mexico in January, I have been slowly building my life here as an "expat", whether it's part time or full time is an unknown. This is certainly very different from my 1-2 month visits here in years past–with quite a bit of paperwork, forms, red &green tape and "hoops" to jump through! This mainly came in the form of our (husband David & me) applications to achieve residency here in Mexico. But, after a 1000-mile round trip to Laredo, Texas, to start the process we are on the "home-stretch" with our final Immigration appointment taking place at the end of March. I'm already planning my happy dance as I am consuming a gin martini (shaken, not stirred)!

As far as art and studio time goes, yes, I have been mucking around in the studio with mostly oils and cold wax medium, working in the “abstract” and only recently set up my encaustic equipment. Since the weather is warming up quickly here–it's the dry, warm season right now–I need to switch my studio schedule to mornings due to heat from encaustic equipment-ugh!

I am THRILLED to be participating in the upcoming Jeffrey Hirst workshop, Mixed Media Approaches Towards Printmaking, to be held in the gorgeous Spanish Colonial city of Guanajuato, Mexico. Carborundum printmaking will be the focus. I have wanted to learn this method for quite some time, and I have to thank Jan Davis of Jan Davis Art Experience for telling me about this fantastic workshop that she is hosting. Yippee!

My goals for 2022 are to continue to build a new body of work here in Mexico, and to have a show or two in San Miguel. Most of my encaustic and oil & cold wax paintings are now housed at Lynn Hanson Gallery in Seattle, Washington, and in a storage space just north of there! Please take a look at my website galleries and let me know if you are interested in purchasing any of them! Payment is easy, I usually use PayPal or Zelle. My husband will be in the Seattle area in April and May, and would be happy to deliver art to you, in person, or ship to other places. If my work is at the gallery, Lynn Hanson accepts most credit cards, and can also ship just about anywhere. Please check out my work, and that of other talented artists here: www.lynnhansongallery.com. Or IN PERSON at the gallery!

Finally, if you are interested in a customized encaustic workshop for you or your group in the beautiful city of San Miguel de Allende, please contact me here: lisa@jonesmoorestudioart.com. Encaustic is not only about painting with warm, pigmented wax. It can be combined with collage, printmaking, mixed media and more!

Hasta proxima vez! Until next time!

I'm now living, working, breathing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Last September, I embarked on a 3000 mile journey from the Cascade mountains of Washington State to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I cheated a wee bit, and caught a plane from Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the last leg of the trip–while my husband and beloved dog drove the rest of the way. What an incredible cross-country journey, with stops in Las Vegas and Santa Fe!

After spending nearly 2-1/2 months here in San Miguel, I have to say I'm still enamored with this beautiful Spanish Colonial City in the "Corazon de Mexico"...the heart of Mexico. I was worried that, after an 18 month absence, I would find that everything has changed. Well, some things HAVE and others have NOT. Gone are some of the little cafes and "tiendas" that were already operating on a "knife's edge" of profit margin–which does make me sad. But, during my many walks around town here, I have noticed so many little start-ups (cafes, gift stores, organic markets, etc.) coming to life and adding to the amazing ambience of San Miguel. I have vowed to do everything in my power to support these small businesses! Since arriving here in San Miguel de Allende, I have had the privilege of visiting the old historical centers of Guanajuato City and Queretaro, both important centers Mexico's illustrious silver mining trade in Spanish Colonial times. I have also been able to connect with a few talented artists who now call San Miguel their "forever" home. Will I become one of them?

Art-wise, I have been working solely in oils and cold wax in the "abstract". Lynn Hanson, of Lynn Hanson Gallery/Seattle, visited me in October so that we could participate in an advanced painting workshop. This was taught by the amazing oil and cold wax gurus, Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin. Six days of intensive learning was EXHAUSTING, but Lynn and I both felt that we made some progress, and met some amazing women from all over the planet! Once the Holidays have ended, I look forward to setting up my encaustic studio and warming up that gorgeous WARM wax once again!

In September I was honored to be included in the 8th Annual ICON Show, hosted by Lynn Hanson Gallery in Seattle, Washington. This is a highly-coveted annual juried show that now attracts entrants from all over the globe. "5 Seasons of the Lotus" is the title of my accepted painting (encaustic & mixed media on panel, 20x20"), and you may still view the entire show here. You may still view my two-woman show with the talented Lynn Hanson, of Lynn Hanson Gallery, here! Or just visit www.lynnhansongallery.com.

I am deeply missing teaching my in-person workshops and interactions with my students, and vow to find the best ways to start them once again here in San Miguel in 2022. Stay tuned!

TO THE CASA Art Sale! 30% OFF through Saturday, July 31. My most recent encaustic paintings are on display at Lynn Hanson Gallery through the month of JULY!

I’m heading to my beautiful casa (townhome) in San Miguel de Allende in September, for an extended stay! This sale of my most recent paintings at Lynn Hanson Gallery will be your last chance to view and purchase my work for quite some time! Don’t miss this opportunity! I’m sad to be leaving Washington State for awhile, but so excited about my NEW adventures ahead of me!

This show is both "in-person" and online throughout the month of July. Locations for viewing are: Lynn Hanson Gallery, 312 So. Washington Street, Seattle, WA (USA), hours are Fridays & Saturdays from 11-4. You may also view this exhibit online at www.lynnhansongallery.com

Referencing a show they did together in 2017, Lynn Hanson Gallery is pleased to present “Reprise” with work from Lisa JonesMoore and Lynn Hanson. As before, with their show “Sense of Place”, they both address their surroundings, while incorporating the many changes over the last 4 years. At that time, Lisa presented work inspired by Mexico, and Lynn’s work imagined visiting Denmark. Now, Lisa has been able to find a home in San Miguel de Allende, where she lives part of the year, and Lynn has been able to finally visit Denmark. These last 4 years have also meant a lot of personal upheaval for both artists, and yet the work continues. Both Lisa and Lynn have been working with cold wax and oil, a new medium to both of them, and both have continued to consider their surroundings, and what it means in their work. To view the show & for more gallery information: www.lynnhansongallery.com

Pictured above: “winter.mezzo”, detail, encaustic on panel, 15x30”, image COPYRIGHT 2021 LISA JONESMOORE

Text COPYRIGHT 2021 Lynn Hanson Gallery

I am thrilled to be hosting (online) my 1st Annual Foot Long Art Sale, located right here on this website! The sale begins at 12 pm on Friday, October 16 and ends at midnight on Monday, November 30. I’m offering some 12x12” “oldies but goodies”. There may be a few 10x10s scattered in with the others. Most of these pieces are already housed in beautiful matte black wood frames, the kind that are “front-loading” with no glass. Encaustic pieces don’t require glass for framing! Some of these pieces are not framed (nevertheless, wired and ready to hang) but I have a few extra frames around that I can offer to you when you purchase your piece. There will be NO CHARGE for my labor to frame your piece! Well, what I REALLY mean is no charge from David, my husband and fellow framer, art wrapper and general “roadie”. Also known as “The Wrapper” by my fellow art colleagues!

I must part with all of these pieces in order to make room for some new pieces that I’m producing. Yes, the studio has been “buzzing”! Well, what ELSE is there to do? We don’t go out to eat anymore, don’t travel anymore (just day trips!), and can’t hook up with family and friends. So, I’m mucking around in my studio, making a mess and bouncing in all different directions. I’m experimenting with oil and cold wax on Arches oil paper (go to “Galleries” on this website to check these out), creating more encaustic pieces on panel, assembling collages…you name it, I’m trying it! For me, the upcoming election drama and this virus-thing are causing me to be a bit “non-focused”. But I digress.

I’m excited to offer these pieces to the public, directly from me, at more than 50% off of retail prices. The pricing ranges from $75-$149. FOR ORIGINAL ART!! Because I know that some of you have been “orbiting” around some of these pieces for a while now. HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE ONE (or two, or three)! I’m currently offering nineteen pieces for sale, but I may add to this stock as the sale progresses. Affordable shipping WILL be available.

I am so grateful to have an art studio to go to, art supplies to work with, and art friends, colleagues and “homies” to chat with–even if it’s all “virtual”. This sure does add to my monthly wine bill! But, sigh, all well worth it!

The sale goes live on October 16, 12:00 Pacific Standard Time (that’s 3 pm for you “East-Coasters”). Even if you don’t wish to purchase anything at the moment, I DO welcome your feedback and comments!

Pictured above: “14 Squares with Chicken Bone”, and oldie-but-goodie that will be for sale.

Every year for the last seven years, Lynn Hanson of Lynn Hanson Gallery has hosted the ICON Juried Show. This year, I’m proud to have two pieces on display alongside many wonderful pieces from both regional and national artists. Artist Stephanie Hargrave juried these very complex and beautiful works. Of course, for any of you who are familiar with my work, my personal icons exist in the depths of Mexico, my “soul space”. Here’s a little bit about my works that are included in the show.

“Mi Camino Lleva Al Sur” (My Road Leads South, detail pictured above) speaks of my constant longing to return to my beloved Mexico, and in particular, San Miguel de Allende. Roads are iconic to me because they represent personal freedom and infinite creative possibilities. I’m truly “free” when I’m on the road for a day trip, camping trip or exploring in Mexico, my 2nd home. Mexico, itself, is also my icon–sacred place, creative place, deep history and culture. This painting is actually a painting over a painting! The first layer was much more muted and subtle, and just didn’t move me like it should have. So, I left the neutral-toned fabric/linen “road” as is, and painted what my mind’s eye sees when I am traveling in Mexico. So many colors and shapes with a patchwork of textures and varied surfaces! Size & media: 12x12” encaustic and fabric on panel (pictured in my Genius Loci Paintings gallery).

“Mujeres de La Pared” (Women of the Wall) speaks of the strong roles women represent in Mexico as matriarchs and caregivers–and the extreme disparities they suffer due to cultural, educational and economic bias. The women of Mexico are the fabric of the land and of the people. I am in complete awe of them! They are the threads that hold everything together. For this art piece, I utilized a photo image I took in Oaxaca with an image transfer, as well as other found images. I collaged these together using encaustic waxes. Size and media: 6.25x6.25”, encaustic, collage, image transfer on panel (pictured on my home page & Collage, Assemblage & Shrines gallery).

So see this fantastic show in its entirety online, please visit Lynn Hanson Gallery here: www.lynnhansongallery.com/icon-2020

To see the video of the recent virtual art walk and the works in the gallery, please go to: www.lynnhansongallery.com The video is featured on the home page. All works are fore sale! Thanks for visiting!

COPYRIGHT 2020 Lisa JonesMoore

Since my mid-March return from six glorious weeks at my home and studio in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, I’ve either been on an emotional roller coaster or frozen-in-place. Like a deer in the headlights, feeling quite lost and stunned. I know that I am not alone! As for my studio practice, I forced myself to visit the studio on a semi-regular basis in order to preserve my remaining sanity. Now, I am there on a regular basis, and sticking to my self-imposed weekly schedule. It HAS paid off–and it can you you as well! Stamina? Better. Focus? A work in progress. Creative blockage and the inner critic? Chased out of the window, for now (but always spying on me from my rear-view mirror). I have to be vigilant.

Many artists and creative “types” are feeling the same…a sense of loss, extreme longing, desire. Cut off from our “art homies”, students, colleagues and collectors. Honestly, when the pandemic hit, I did not know if I could move forward any longer with my art career. Day after day, I awakened with a huge sense of loss. The aching pit in my stomach could last for hours. A very physical feeling. Then the INNER CRITIC started the self-questioning: “Why did you decide to become and artist anyway? What about your successful design career? You gave that up too soon. You should have stayed with it. Look what you have now! A bunch of art in storage and nothing else to show for it. You were SO wrong! And it’s too late to switch to something else. You have no purpose, just give it up.” Yes, THE CRITIC can be harsh! (To be fair, I HAVE participated in many exhibitions and sold plenty of work!)

Then, as I forced myself into the studio, this experience of loss began to fade. The inner critic was silenced as I forced my pitiful little SELF to show up. I decided to explore some media that I have always been curious about: oils and cold wax medium, specifically with abstraction. Well, that was the medicine that I needed, because once I started I didn’t look back! Working with oils and cold wax medium on paper has been deeply satisfying, and has awakened within me some of my past successes with my landscapes in oils “en plein air.” Ah, the good old days…

I must thank Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin for their AMAZING book, Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations (Squeegee Press). It includes over 300 pages of awesome techniques, inspiration and “digging deep” into why we do what we do–and how to continue to grow as artists. A truly comprehensive book, and worth every penny! Because of this, I found Rebecca Crowell’s podcast, The Messy Studio, which I highly recommend. She and her son Ross–who is the “voice of reason”, devil’s advocate and producer of the show–have some very thought-provoking and lively conversations! You don’t have to be a professional artist to benefit from this podcast.

I gleaned even more daily inspiration from Brian Rutenberg’s (Brianrutenbergart) YouTube series : Studio Visit. What an amazing body of knowledge about art history this man has. Not to mention his explanations about why he does what he does! His adventures as a young, emerging artist in New York City are quite entertaining. Not to miss!

I know you’re all wondering: “But have you given up on encaustic?” The answer is NO! Just this week, I have fired up the griddles and am fervently “sweating” over a couple of pieces. It feels good.

Pictured above: “Crossing, Deeply”, oils and cold wax medium

COPYRIGHT 2020 Lisa JonesMoore

Quiescence: the quality or state of being quiescent; dormancy, suspension, period of inactivity or hibernation, suspended animation, period of rest

I’ve written a lot about this concept in my journals lately. Which points to the obvious fact that this is what I need right now. After spending three months in Mexico (teaching) last winter, then spending the summer selling and buying a new home–AND moving and establishing a new studio space–BINGO! Quiescence. I love how this word rolls off the tongue. I also love the image it conveys in my mind, as I gaze from my new studio windows out into the snow-filled landscape that I now call home. I feel insulated, protected. I can justify periods of dormancy here. I can justify “living in the moment”. I can justify practicing Mindfulness, daily. I’m not saying that this is easy, as I am a born “multi-tasker”. But I’m working on it!

That being said, I am SO excited about the coming year! I will be traveling, once again, to San Miguel de Allende in February. I’ll spend six weeks creating art for upcoming shows, traveling to new places within Mexico, and spending quality time with fellow artists and friends. When I return in March, I’ll be attending my son’s college graduation ceremony with a very glad heart! I am truly grateful.

The month of July and onward may present some VERY important commitments for me, pertaining to my art practice. If I do commit to some upcoming art events–watch for announcements on my Facebook page here–then my time of "quiescence” will certainly come to an end very soon! In the meantime, please head over to my online A Painting or Print a Day Exhibit & Sale on my Facebook page. I plan on hosting another sale & exhibit in May, so please “like” my page and stay informed! And, if you are in the area of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, in February/March and wish to learn about encaustic painting and printmaking (or further your art practice and repertoire of techniques) contact me to schedule a customized class for you! Here’s wishing you Happy and Joyful CREATING in 2020!

COPYRIGHT 2020 Lisa JonesMoore

Pictured above is Kelley! One of my students with some of her work of the day, in San Miguel de Allende Mexico.

NEWS! After a WONDERFULLY successful three winter months in my new studio, located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, I have undertaken setting up yet ANOTHER studio set-up! I recently sold my home near Seattle, Washington, and moved “back” to the landscape that I know and love best: the mountains. Yes, “the mountains are calling and I must go”. I have the t-shirt to prove it (ironically, I bought the shirt in Mexico). Since moving to the Seattle area some twenty-five years ago, I have felt the never-ending “pull” of the mountains. I grew up in the Colorado Rockies, and those mountains made an indelible impression on my soul. So here I am AGAIN, setting up yet another new art studio! This time, my studio view is of luscious pines and distant hills, now beautifully “blanketed” with lovely red, orange and yellow vine maples.

I have to admit, this has not been an easy two years! In all honesty, as soon as I arrived back in the U.S. after working and TEACHING out of my new studio in Mexico, my dear husband announced to me that “he’s exhausted and no longer wants to maintain our current house”! Time to get serious about a condo search! I knew this was coming but did not expect it so soon. Lo and behold, we found the perfect town home–which allowed for a decent art studio–located in the perfect place: the gorgeous Cascade mountain range just two hours from the Seattle area! We had only two months to prepare our house to be sold, receive a decent offer AND purchase the new condo. And embark on a major move. Purchasing two new homes (one in Mexico), shedding my dear “old homestead” and setting up TWO encaustic art studios has tested my strengths–and has shown me my weaknesses. What I have learned: all in good time, have patience (with a capital “P”), don’t try to “do it all at once”, and what I have done “today” is enough. Tomorrow is always another day to make a little more progress.

I am close to completing my NEW studio, located near Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth, Washington. I’m still adjusting to “condo life”, and the loss of my beautiful private outdoor spaces. On the other hand, when I am feeling a little “blue” about this, I walk out of my door and in five minutes I am on a lovely hiking trail in the national forest. Now THAT’S amazing!

I am currently “feathering my nest” with some art I have not seen for a few years. The art that is really speaking to me at this moment, as I slowly unwrap them with anticipation, are my assemblage pieces. More than HALF of my storage space are bins and bins of “doodads”, fabric, papers, small and large rusty items, sand, shells, twine, wire….well, you get the idea! So, I have come to the obvious conclusion that I need to be doing MORE ASSEMBLAGE! Assemblage with wax, to be more specific. stay tuned for the studio “reveal”and new works in progress!

In the meantime, please visit my Shrine and Assemblage Gallery here: http://www.jonesmoorestudioart.com/art-assemblage

I had the privilege of teaching THREE very successful encaustic workshops to three groups of some very talented artists and women–although they didn’t give themselves enough credit! What an incredible way to break in my new San Miguel studio! I am so thankful for these opportunities and really grateful to these students, who were my very first ones in Mexico. I am currently scheduling time slots for CUSTOMIZED encaustic and mixed media classes in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I will be available to teach in February and March of 2020. I can teach up to 5 students, so your small group is very welcome! Space is limited so contact me soon: lisa@jonesmoorestudioart.com

COPYRIGHT 2019 Lisa JonesMoore

I recently returned from 5+ weeks in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and the NEW studio renovations are coming along wonderfully! All of the painting has been finished, as well as lighting and storage cupboards. The encaustic work station countertop should be complete sometime in December, complete with beautiful “talavera” tiles. I had an old patio door taken out and added a new wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding door, so all of my students (and I) will be able to enjoy that killer view of Historico Centro and the Parroquia cathedral while we create “masterpieces”! I’m especially taken with the turquoise-colored ceiling (hence the name Turqoise Sky Studio or Estudio de Ceilo Turquesa). I LOVE how this sounds in Spanish!

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be offering an encaustic and mixed media workshop here (the “maiden” workshop) in March 2019! We will be soaking up the beautiful textures, colors, patterns, shapes and surfaces that define this gorgeous Spanish Colonial city that was founded in the 1500s, and is now a World UNESCO Heritage site!

For more information about this 4-day March workshop (3-16 to 3-19), click here. For the FULL class itinerary, and everything you need to know about San Miguel de Allende, send me an email: lisa@jonesmoorestudioart.com

And while I was there, I was able to participate in Dia de Los Muertos, a major holiday in Mexico that celebrates the LIVES of departed loved ones. I was able to find an excellent artist for my Catrina face paint (OK! I art-directed it a bit) and visited my favorite little, quiet cemetery, El Panteon de San Juan de Dio. This was SUCH an incredible time of year to be in Mexico, and I highly recommend it to everyone! This holiday usually takes place November 1-2, and is punctuated with flowers, candles, music, and families gathering at various cemeteries where their loved ones are laid to rest. They hold all night “fiestas” around the grave sites–singing, eating, drinking and celebrating the departed loved one. It is truly a very special and deeply moving experience.

COPYRIGHT 2018 Lisa JonesMoore

I recently completed a new work titled "Margraten". This encaustic and mixed media painting is dedicated to the Dutch people who, since 1945, have been adopting grave sites of members of the the American military forces who gave their lives in service during World War II. My uncle, George Edward Jones, is one of the "fallen" who is buried there.

Every two years, the "Faces of Margraten" organization and the Dutch grave "adopters" collaberate to hold a beautiful ceremony called "The Faces of Margraten" at the Netherlands American Cemetery near Margraten, Netherlands. I was recently contacted by a volunteer asking if I was related to George Jones, my uncle. I wrote back a resounding "YES!". She was tirelessly contacting family members of servicemen and women buried at Margraten, to see if they could provide a photo and information about the family member buried there. I sent them off promptly, and was even able to contact the "adopter" of my uncle's gravesite by email! I hope to meet this dedicated person in 2020, when I travel to Margraten to attend the next "Faces of Margraten" ceremony. And I am forever indebted to the volunteer in the United states who first contacted me.

The whole experience moved me in so many ways, I created "Margraten" in dedication. It is part of my recent "Genius Loci II" series, which you can view on my "Galleries" pages.

COPYRIGHT 2018 Lisa JonesMoore

On February 23, 2018, my husband and I signed our names "on the bottom" line, and became homeowners in the city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to "own a little piece of Mexico where I could store the piece of my heart" that I always seem to leave behind. Well, it FINALLY happened, and I was terrified! What? I got what I wished for? I truly was in shock for many months to come! Many sleepless nights have followed...

We returned for six weeks in May & June, to make sure kitchen and general renovations were going well at the new CASA. Well, it's a good thing we were there, and I'll leave it at THAT! We did finally end up with a beautiful kitchen. The tiles for the kitchen backsplash were chosen by David and me at the talavera factory in Dolores Hidalgo–where the very first cries or "los gritos" (Grito de Dolores-Cry of Dolores) were heard from Father Hidalgo and the Mexican "insurgentes" who called for independence from Spain in the early 1800s. David proceeded to construct a most beautiful backsplash, by the way!

San Miguel de Allende is in the HEART of Mexico and the state of Guanajuato, in the geographic center of the country. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site just a few short years ago, and its proud history dates back to the Mexican War for Independence and earlier. The "insurgentes"–local people like you and me, wishing for a better life–marched from Dolores Hidalgo to San Miguel, and asked for the blessing–and much needed help–from Colonel Allende, a very powerful, local resident. Unfortunately, Father Hidalgo and Colonel Allende would soon "lose their heads", literally, but they gave birth to the successful campaign for independence! Actually, San Miguel de Allende was first established in the 1500s, and "el chorro", a local freshwater spring, gradually attracted more and more residents to the area. 

Only a 3-hour drive from Mexico City, San Miguel sits in the Bahio region of rolling hills and high desert, with views of mountain ranges off in the distance. And, it's only 90 minutes from the gorgeous "Spanish-Colonial" old-world city of Guanajuato, where one can get lost for days exploring very narrow streets connected to sorbet-colored buildings. There are so many reasons to love this area of Mexico! The entire region has many old silver mines–which made Spanish royalty and the Catholic Church of Spain very RICH indeed! LOTS of money floated this area for hundreds of years, but never trickled down to the common people...hmmm, sound familiar??

I'll keep you posted on the PROGRESS on the renovations in my NEW studio at the casa! I'll be returning in October to keep this moving along. I'd love to be TEACHING from this studio in Winter/Spring of 2019! Let me know if you are interested in visiting San Miguel and taking a customized art class for you or your group. SPREAD THE WORD!

COPYRIGHT 2018 Lisa JonesMoore

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