RAW, but RISING

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