The traveling is over and I’m happy to be settled once more in the studio.

I’ve taken a few days to think about all that has happened and all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way. The Art Fair in Las Vegas went well and I have a few interior designers interested in the BIG painting. There were comments about my work being bold, strong, powerful and graphic. Viewers were amazed by the surface quality and texture. The big painting got a lot of “wows” and some were amazed it was encaustic. Perfectly aligned to my position and vision for my work!

Next stop was Ventura where I participated on the artist panel. I was nervous at first and naturally I was comparing my work to the other artists and feeling inadequate. Fortunately, the moderator Yessica and owner of the gallery did her homework and she guided us through a wonderful conversation. We talked about our influences, process, social media and how we all engaged in the unpredictable in our work.

If the vibe is right, a panel can be the perfect place to explore ideas, think out loud, delight an audience and build confidence.

Yessica mentioned that because of my Master’s Degree in Environmental Education did that that influence my choice of materials? I never made that connection! The environment is essential to me and is it no wonder that I live across the street from a Regional Park, have chosen an organic, bee loving medium, or that my interior environment has to have color? I’m realizing how important it is to be surrounded by other thinkers, creators and growth minded people. Everyone on that panel pursued an angle in their art that seemed out of reach to me; yet, the dialogue filled me with incredible fervor to return to the studio and push my work to the edges.

I’m not sure in the how or what but I’m willing to live in the inevitable discomfort that comes before the break through.

The talk was video taped and I’ll be able to post that link soon.

One edge I will be pursuing is going bigger! I want my thinking and problem solving to match the actual size. In the past I would create a small work and then try to scale up. That doesn’t make sense anymore. It’s like stretching an image to fit your screen. Distortion. I want to see a large solution for a large painting. Better yet, I want to see a solution that is even larger than the painting. This feels like a painting that can breathe and open up a room and person to light.

So, this means that I’m phasing out paintings under 12″x 12″.

Today I’m having an Open Studio and offering my smalls at a reduced price. I need the space physically and mentally! Come on by if you’re in the area. I do have some wonderful pieces.

I also have a Shopify site up where you can take a look too. Click on the above image to go there. Or just Google my name and Shopify. It will come up. I think. I hope. And, if you’d like to take a little one home, at checkout use the discount code: goingbig15

Happy Valentine’s Day!

XOXO

Francesca