A few weeks ago I traveled through the beautiful hillside of Hillsboro, Virginia, on my way to meet with a local winery about an art exhibit. This scene came into view and I was immediately drawn to the geometric design of the haybales against the solid gold and blue background. Yeah! I found inspiration for my next painting in my winter landscape series.

I started with a 10″x10″ cradled wood panel unprimed. There really isn’t a need to prime the board unless you are using transparent pigmented paint. If you do prime, use encaustic primer for the best results.

Using painter’s tape, I chose the horizon placement and filled in the sky with several layers of light blue encaustic. (So I don’t have to keep repeating myself — after EVERY layer I fuse with a blow torch or hot gun.)

first layer of encaustic paint

For the sky, I paint on a layer of white encaustic which I will scrape back to achieve great visual texture in the following step. The treeline goes in with two different browns using a soft brushing technique to blend up into the sky.

Here’s the scraping I referred to earlier. Very gently, I scrape off the white where I don’t want clouds to be. Be sure the wax isn’t too hot or you’ll scrape down to the board. No worries if this happens. Just fill in with the paint you scraped off and fuse. After I’m happy with the placement of the clouds, I fuse to get a wispy look in the clouds.

I then scrape the treeline into a more realistic representation.

Time to pull off the tape and work on the bottom half of the painting. Just like the sky, I apply a several layers of yellow ochre encaustic, then brown, then scrape back the brown. Highlights of the grass is rendered using dry brush technique over scraped in crop lines.

Yeah, my favorite part is next — adding the cool geometric haybales! A stencil is definitely the way to go here. Dark brown paint is applied using the stencil and I hand paint the highlights taking a good amount of time to get the color just right.

You’ll see in my paintings that I’m big on texture. My favorite tool is a sculpting knife used to scrape away the tinyest bits of wax and create fun etchings of grass.

More time is spent on refining color, adding the snow in the field and more texture to the haybales. I went back and forth on whether to add the large trees behind the bales. Finally, I decided to concentrate on the geometric design of the bales and let the trees go. Do you think that was the right choice?

Final painting, “Winter Haybales”. Not a very creative name, but good for the SEO’s!

If you liked this tutorial, subscribe to my YouTube channel for video tutorials as well. I also offer encaustic and mixed media workshops in Purcellville, VA.

I love, love, love, my bullet journal. At first I wasn’t sure if this was just another time-wasting gimmick to sell more stationary supplies, but this hobby has boosted my productivity through greater organization of my personal and business life.

Before using a bullet journal, I had three separate notebooks and three apps on my phone to keep track of business and personal notes, goals, ideas and plans. Crazy, right!? The worst part was not being able to find information quickly because I’d forget which journal I had put it in. Now with everything noted in one journal, I can quickly reference the index and find important information in one place quickly. No more — Where is that piece of art hanging right now?

The journal also has become a creative outlet I use to wind down at the end of day. Some people color in coloring books, I draw a flower mood tracker or sketch out my latest inspiration for a painting. Call me “old school” but there is something very satisfying putting pen to paper and physically charting out your week just how you want it.

The beauty of the bullet journal system is the simple and indexed organization of information in a personal design. Your bullet journal will be completely different from anyone else’s since your needs are unique. As artists and creative people, our needs are unique as well. We have inventory to track, shows to schedule and the compulsive habit of drawing on anything close at hand. How nice it is to keep it all in one place!

I’ve been keeping a bullet journal for seven months and have learned what information is useful to log as a working artist. I’ve listed 10 ideas for artist collection pages to save you some time and help jump start your bullet journal love affair.

10 BULLET JOURNAL IDEAS FOR ARTISTS

1. Keep track of art show deadlines and event dates
2. Inventory for each show and gallery
3. Taxable income for filing state sales tax
4. Art show supplies checklist (See my complete list here.)
5. Art project ideas and sketches
6. Subscriptions, membership fees, app fees
7. Monthly expenses and revenue
8. Social media scheduling calendar
9. Hours spent in the studio
10. Class and student schedule

Need help starting your bullet journal?

Go to my “Favorite Things” page for all the supplies you need to get started. There are plenty of YouTube videos and Pinterest posts for tons of design ideas. Here’s my bullet journal Pinterest Board and a link to my Facebook group Bullet Journal Junkies if you’d like to see what we’re up to. The original bullet journal video by Ryder, the inventor of the bullet journal, explains the set up.

TIP: From one artist to another, there are different weights of paper used in different journals. If you’re going to use heavier mixed media like acrylics, go for the one with heavier paper. The original Leuchtturm1917 bullet journal has more pages but the paper is a lighter weight and a cream color so you might see some ghosting from the previous page. I’ve used both and don’t mind the ghosting. But, it’s a personal preference.

In the spirit of full disclosure and transparency, some of these items may contain links to vendor affiliate programs. This means that when you decide to purchase the item through the link that I’ve provided, I may receive a small commission with NO ADDITIONAL COST to you.

When I worked as a special events coordinator for a major corporation, I lived by my event checklists. In fact, I’d go as far to say that the show was only as good as the checklist. Now that my events have gone from corporate black ties to local art shows, my checklist is no less vital. Here is a checklist I use for my art shows.

Preparation is key to a successful event. Ideally, you want to go over this list a week in advance to make sure you have all of your supplies way ahead of time. Gather everything the night before and pack up the car. I can’t tell you how many rushed mornings I’ve had running around the house looking for something at the last minute. For example, I have this terrible habit of waiting to get cash the morning of the event, and as luck would have it, the ATM is down that morning at my local bank!

Hope the art show checklist helps you on your next event. Let me know if you’d add anything. Good luck!

• art: framed, labeled, signed
• prints: signed, matted, labeled
• print stand
• extra labels
• pen
• table(s)
• tablecloth(s)
• risers for tables
• signage
• business cards
• brochures, flyers
• point of sale device (Square) and charger
• phone and charger
• newsletter sign up sheet or app (check to make sure it is working)
• wrapping and tissue paper
• scissors
• tape
• hammer/nails
• pliers
• demo materials
• extension cord
• candy and bowl
• flowers
• food and drink for me
• cash
• easle
• bags
• bubble wrap
• laptop (check that the slideshow or video is working)
• hostess gift (if I’m a guest artist at someone else’s studio)

For the PDF:  art show checklist

What do you bring to your events? Leave a comment on what you would add to this list.

The first developmental stage of a new painting is the infancy stage where the artist is full of hopeful anticipation. When paint first touches canvas, creative spirit is high and the artist just knows that this will be the best painting ever!

Next, the toddler phase is when the artist attempts to apply all she knows about the medium to shape the painting into what was first imagined. Similar to the “terrible two’s”, there are challenges for sure —  cleaning up mistakes, applying artistic discipline and gently guiding the imagery towards the original vision. Much patience is needed, but nothing prepares the artist for the demands of the next phase . . .Adolescence!

“Who are you? What have you done with my sweet, endearing little one?” rage in my thoughts as I give my teenager daughter that “look” only a mom can deliver. So, meet my teenage painting. . . 

I’ve worked and worked but nothing went right with this piece. I must have scraped and repainted it a dozen times, but I still wasn’t satisfied.

Luckily, experience has taught me to recognize when it’s time to back off. The more I push, the more push-back I’ll receive. I’ve been known to check up on my teenage daughter one too many times after a heated “discussion” and the results were always disastrous. Sometime it’s best to stop the meddling, walk away and allow emotions to settle and friction to dissolve between mother and daughter — artist and painting. The temptation to quit hovers in the air like a dark cloud, but that won’t solve a thing. Anyway, it’s more fun to see what will develop over time with a lot of love and patience.

Back at it the next morning refreshed, I still don’t understand the creation before me but I’m able to see it from a different perspective. Try a little of this, take away a little of that — ideas flow and something new begins to evolve. I’m surprised to realize that this painting was never meant to be a landscape after all, It’s a koi pond!

“Koi Garden” 24″x24″, encaustic mixed media

“Of course! Why didn’t I see that before?” I say to myself. Now, the work flows. I follow the creative spirit and the painting matures into what it was meant to be. If you’ve hit ultimate frustration mode, perhaps you’re trying too hard. Despite all our efforts as artists, a painting can not be forced into something it isn’t. There are developmental stages it must go through.  And, the same goes for our beautiful children. I humbly admit there have been times when I’ve tried too hard to manipulate both.

Please leave a comment on your creative process in painting and/or parenthood.

I’m always a little sad in September. The turning of the leaves and crisp morning air means fall is coming to Virginia. My spirit longingly desires to be back at the Outerbanks, North Carolina where the smell of salt water permeates the air. Fall is a time when I try to recreate summer moments from favorite vacation photos or the images locked away in my mind.

“Descending Dusk” is just such a painting. However, I never made it to Mantel, North Carolina, where the photograph I used for inspiration was taken. My dear friend posted this image on Instagram and with her permission, I knew immediately I had to paint it.

This view from the bay just after sunset portrays that sleepy, cozy feeling you get at the beach when the day has ended and all creatures great and small are making their way back home after a lovely day in the sun. A warm blanket of dusk falls upon the landscape. You can imagine hearing the sounds of locust buzzing, seabirds calling, and a faint hum of a passing boat. Beachgoers slowly drag their beach gear up the dunes and back home with visions of a shrimp dinner in their heads.

“Descending Dusk” is a cold wax mixed media painting on 20″x20″x1.5″ gallery wrapped canvas. I like to make a textured underpainting of acrylic medium before applying the wax. You can see here how I used medium with a stencil to create the numbers and letters. Vintage french dictionary text and more number images are added to emphasize the theme of descending day and time.

Next, comes the cold wax application with a palette knife.

Since this painting was created using a palette knife exclusively, it is rich in texture and movement. You can see how the paint builds up on the canvas layer after layer and I’m able to scratch into it with a sharp tool for added visual texture.

The final piece beside the original photograph shows how cold wax medium can add great visual texture to landscape paintings.

This piece will be exhibited in a local art show this month. Contact me for more information if you are interested.

Learning about Love in the Studio

This summer, I completed a bible study of 1 Corinthians 13 titled, “Bible Study for Busy Mamas, Thirty Days in 1 Corinthians 13,” by Pam Foster, that centered around defining demonstrating love in life. Most of us are familiar with this well-known scriptural passage popular in wedding ceremonies. You know the one that begins “Love is patient. Love is kind.” My NKJV Bible translation has a slightly different version of verse 4, “Love is long-suffering. Love is kind.”

Long-suffering? I wondered . . . What does that mean? What does it look like to DO long-suffering?

In the Blue Letter Bible app, long-suffering is defined as being of a long spirit, not to lose heart. To persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles. Slow to anger. Slow to punish.

Okay, I’ll go for it. So, I meditated on the question: Where do I need to not lose heart, to persevere patiently and bravely endure troubles? I was expecting the usual thought of practicing patience and kindness with my kids, my husband, my friends, etc. However, a surprising thought came to mind instead —  I needed to show patience and kindness to myself . . . in the studio.

Ain’t got that lovin’ feeling

I don’t know about you, but I wrestle with bad days in the studio frequently. They hit usually after coming off of a big production time like before a show. As the dust settles, I start having troubles. Just such a time hit me hard after a big art tour in June where I produced 25 paintings in three months! Work was not going well.  A week filled with scraped paintings culminated in a fierce attack of my inner bully. (I elaborate more on how to fight back the bully in the article, “How to kill the mental bully and start creating”.)

The unkind self-talk started with small accusations like, “you’ve lost your touch,” and “it’s because you took a vacation that your rhythm is off.” I ignored the insipid thoughts, like we all do, and continued to work, but to no avail. I was stuck in the pit of self-loathing, self-pity and ugly paintings.

After the work I had done in this bible study on love, I knew it was time for me to take a deep breath and change these thoughts around. I needed to purge the lies and remember the truth that each failure is one step closer to the art I’m meant to create. My unique style and perspective is mine and mine alone, and every failure reveals what doesn’t fit in my style. How will I discover what is truly my voice if I don’t take risks and fail? This weeding-out process of techniques that don’t fit and the cleansing of poisonous self-critical thoughts is so essential to the creative process and maintaining peace.

Stop the Madness

Of course, this isn’t easy. The first step is realizing it’s happening.  I used to keep pushing harder when frustration hit. Now, I stop and meditate on all of the good around me.  I put down the brush and take up pen and paper and begin jotting down everything good that has happened recently in my personal and professional life. I know it sounds cliche, but the act of counting my blessings changes my thought patterns and gives me the boost I need to be patient and kind to myself in the studio. This process of weeding out the lies and affirming the truth can take some time, but it’s worth every minute. Just this simple change in my thought pattern increases my joy and I can start fresh again at the easel.

So, if you find yourself in that maddening creative pit, STOP! Make a list at what you’ve accomplished and hang it up where you can see it every day. Presently, I don’t have a large inventory and it worries me. But, when I read my list of what DID go well these past few months like creating a new website, opening a studio and starting to teach; I can give myself a break and say, “Good job!” instead of “You’re behind!”

Remembering the Mission

Finally, I remember my art career is not about the shows, the profits, or the ego boost from recognition. My passion for my work is about bringing joy to others. That’s my mission. I believe art is the tool I was given by God to complete this assignment. The work is hindered when I focus too much on self, promoting self, and caring what others think. The creative process just seems to flow when I make time to show up in the studio with a patient heart and see what was given to me to do during that special time. Slowly, a rhythm will appear. Good work will come. Then, one day I sit back and see there is a collection before me. A collection created by the collaboration between the creative spirit and me.

What’s your mission? Jot that down and hang it up next to your blessings list as a way to remember why you’re toiling away at the work you love.

Love is patient and kind. Demonstrate this to yourself in the home and in the studio. Take life slower. Be patient with yourself, your art, your progress and other human beings. Just make art, the progress will naturally come. There is no one to catch-up with or out-do. It’s your story, your life, your precious time. Just your art that comes from a special place, unrushed, sacred.

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Learn the exciting ancient art of encaustic painting in two workshops offered by a professional encaustic studio located in Loudoun County, Virginia. Anne Stine Fine Art Studio offers two encausitc painting classes with personal instruction from an experienced encaustic artist and the opportunity to work with professional supplies and tools in a relaxed creative environment. Not familiar with encaustic? Read more about encaustic on the studio’s Q&A page.

“Introduction to Encaustics Workshop”

This class gives students the basics of creating encaustic art work including safety precautions, supplies needed and where to buy them, how to prepare the painting surface, working with mixed media collage, and how to care for encaustics. Students will have the opportunity to practice techniques and complete an 8″x8″ encaustic mixed media painting on cradled wood panel in class ready to hang. All supplies included. No painting experience necessary. This is a great class for beginners and artists looking to explore this exciting medium. Class size limited to six.

“Intermediate Encaustic Workshop”

This class continues where the “Introduction to Encaustics”  workshop leaves off. Learn encaustic painting techniques including layering pigmented wax, burning shellac and applying alcohol inks for visual texture. Students will have the opportunity to practice techniques and complete an 8″x8″ encaustic mixed media painting on cradled wood panel in class ready to hang. All supplies included. This is a great class for artists familiar with the basics of painting with encaustic and students who attended the Intro workshop. Class size limited to six.

Classes are held at the 425 sq. ft.  Anne Stine Fine Art Studio at 37949 Sayre Court, Purcellville, Virginia. Students need to be 16 or older to participate. Class fee is $89.

Learn more about Anne Stine.

Students work with encaustic collage

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Register Here” align=”center” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fannestinepainting.com%2Fshop%2F||”][vc_column_text]Ready to jump into the exciting world of encaustics? Click the “register here” button to view class details and purchase your spot in a class.

Check the events page for a schedule of classes.

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Tryst Gallery is located in Leesburg, Virginia

If you feel that it’s time to create your own create space to do what you love, read on. I’d like to share my story about converting my garage into the art studio of my dreams to help inspire you to make your own creative space. There’s nothing wrong with using a corner of a room. I did this for many years. But if your looking for a larger, more private and adaptable space, your garage may be the perfect option. Below I list the steps I took to make my dream become a reality as well as highlighting  the problems I encountered to help you avoid the same setbacks.

“Mellow Shores”, 24″x36″ encaustic on wood panel

I had been tossing around the idea of creating a serious studio space for a long time. The days of cramming my supplies and worktable in a corner of a room were coming to an end. I desired real space to work on big encaustic paintings, teach classes and take my art career to the next level. (Click HERE to see my latest art). To give me added motivation, I signed up to participate in a local artist’s tour that required a studio where the public could view artwork.

The idea of an Amish shed was appealing because of its customization. However, when the quote came in with all of my “must haves”, it became clear that this idea was out of reach. The best price in my area was around $18,000 for a 24’x 14′ shed with all the bells and whistles. That price didn’t even include the cost of electricity hook up and installing heating and cooling!

Discouraged about the price tag, a light bulb went off. Literally. I walked into our double-bay garage, turned on the light, and saw the vision! Sure it needed work; a new coat of paint, a new floor, a new garage door, a hanging and shelving system and heat/ air conditioning unit. At least the previous owner had already installed a sink, cabinets, ceiling lights, and five windows that gave the space enough natural lighting. It was everything I needed, and more. Yes, it took some time to sell the idea to my husband who wanted to keep it as a garage. I told him that it will be MY car that is stuck out in the snow, but this was a small inconvenience I’d gladly endure to have the luxury of my own creative space.

Here is a week-by-week run down describing what was done to convert the garage to an art studio to give you a better idea of how to plan for the project.

Week One

• Painting contractor visited and submitted his proposal — approximately $4K to lay an epoxy floor; patch, paint and add molding to the walls for the entire 4-bay garage. I think it’s safe to assume, you can cut this price in half for a two-bay garage area.
• Move out all the stuff (TIP: Plan this huge task when the weather is dry. Virginia decided to have a wet spring and our stuff still got soaked under tarps!)

Week Two

• Power wash garages
• Epoxy applied on top of the concrete flooring (You won’t be able to use this space for several days to allow the layers to dry.)

Week Three

• Patching, painting, adding floorboards to help fill in the gap between the wall and concrete floor

Week Four

• Receive my awesome work table built by a good friend of mine.
• Purchase and install shelving (I used Rubbermaid FastTrack system in white. See link below.)
• Purchase and install gallery hanging system (I used STAS Gallery Hanging System. See link below.)

Week Five

• Purchase and install air conditioner (TIP: check ahead of time to make sure a dedicated circuit is located close to a window. To add a new circuit can cost up to $500! Using an extension cord is not recommended. I bought the large LG unit to adequately cool the 425 sq. foot space.)
• Installed a DIY wall easel.

Week Six

• Opening Event!! I scheduled an Open Studio event several days before a big local art tour to give patrons a chance to preview and purchase my work before the show.

Project Photo Gallery

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO CONSIDER

HEAT IS AN ISSUE

Be aware that heat is a major issue when working in a garage. Using a portable radiator heater and a portable infrared heater was not enough to keep warm during Virginia winters. Most of the heaters on the market have an exposed flame and having solvents of any kind near the heater could be dangerous. Since I use solvents all the time in my work, I needed a safe option. I found that an electric heater worked best for my needs – Fahrenheat FUH Electric Heater for Garage!! It was easy to install on a dedicated circuit, and the thermostat function keeps the space’s temperature above 50 degrees on cold Virginia nights. I sometimes add a small area heater if needed. When researching heaters, make sure to check if they need a dedicated circuit to work safely before you buy.

LIGHTING IS CRUCIAL

If you are using the studio as a space to create artwork, the right lighting is crucial. My garage came with five florescent lights that seemed adequate at first. After further research, I learned that it is very important to have your lighting as close to daylight as possible. I saw a huge difference in color representation once I switched the florescent lightbulbs to 5000 lumens (daylight). There are abundant articles online about the details of lighting which I recommend you take the time to research before investing in an expensive lighting system. I installed  Sunco lighting 5000K daylight fixtures.  and they work great!

GARAGE DOOR FIASCO

This might sound strange, but I experienced a weird wind vortex one evening during a violent rain storm in the studio.  The gale wind that had come through a partially opened window created such force that it sucked the garage door in like a tin can and bent its railings! Papers were flying everywhere as I rushed to close the window to stop the mini tornado! Unfortunately, the door was beyond repair and I had it replaced. The new door is highly insulated and hopefully will hold during our Virginia storms. I worked with Home Depot to find the perfect doors for my needs.

EXHAUST FANS

As I mentioned earlier, I use many solvent type materials in creating my encaustic wax paintings. To stay on the safe side, I ordered an exhaust system specially created for encaustic studios. The Vent-A-Fume Encaustic Fume Extractor  from Vent-A-Kiln was easy to install in a window and runs off a normal circuit with no need for a special power source. Now, I don’t have to wear a ventilation mask to avoid toxic fumes in the studio. This fan is also highly recommended for oil painters as well.)

Teaching encaustic painting in my studio.

Even with the rain and some contractor delays, the process went smoothly and I couldn’t be more pleased with the finished product. I’m able to work any time of the day with my 30 second commute (usually in pajamas). The convenience of being able to hold workshops in my own home can’t be beat. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever need another creative space.

Converting a garage can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish, and with a little planning and patience, your dream of having your very own creative space can come true.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions about the studio. I’m happy to help you along your way to creating your perfect creative space!

If you would like to view my encaustic work and learn more about me, click here for my website.

Please leave a comment of your experience building a creative space. I’d love to see it! You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/annestinefineart. I also send out a “New Art” email and newsletter each month — sign up HERE.

Click the image above to watch my painting process.