Encaustic Art Mid-Coast Maine KDB-Karen Dominguez

kdb-ART Laboratory & Studio

2012-01-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

The new kdb-ART "Studio/Laboratory" has been an ongoing project for many months. How exciting to have different areas for Encaustic, Painting & Assemblage. The Studio will be ready for the exploration and creation of Encaustic, Paint and Assemblage Art very soon. YAY.

Note the use of old church doors as the balustrade for the stairwell.

This Birch Tree will provide the perfect place to keep my nests for further study.

The antique windows create a visual wall for the client area, yet allow the light to reach into the north side of the studio.

Mirrors allows the light to bounce around and make the space feel like an Aerie. The studio looks out from the third floor, through the treetops and out to the river in the distance. It feels like an Eagles Aerie.

The client area is located in the sunny south facing area of the studio. Great light and views. A big special thanks to Greg Simard our very creative builder and Neil Shankman, my partner and great supporter of the arts.

Topshelf Event...

2011-11-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

This Seaweed shelf was created for an event at the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor. "Topshelf", is a fundraising event featuring many Artistic interpretations of a pine shelf that the committee gave to each of us to "paint" as we see fit. I thought seaweed and shells would be appropriate for Maine, we have over 4000 miles of coastline and a whole lot of seaweed. I mounted Rice paper on the Pine surface and then used Acrylic paint for the Seaweed and background. It was fun to attach the gastropods on the edge of the shelf and give them a light coat paint creating a golden glow. Mmmm. I was tempted to keep this little beauty. If you would like to check out the Auction and see all of the other Artist's work, log onto the Maine Discovery Museum. You will not be disappointed.

Avian Box of Curiosities

2011-10-23T14:28:00.000-07:00

As an Artist I like to use many mediums. Recently I gathered up a stack of antique and vintage wooden boxes, some embellishments a few scientific items, eggs and nests.
I am a longtime fan of Joseph Cornell who was an amazing Assemblage Artist in his time. He typically incorporated whimsey, science and natural materials to create his very cool masterpieces.

So with Joseph Cornell and a world of birds as my muse, I created this Avian Box of Curiosities. Some of the materials are natural, others are man-made. It is always fun thinking of how to fit various boxes into a cohesive whole and then the challenging but fun process of what to do with the negative space.

Most of the materials used for the box are antique and vintage. I attached all of the boxes and small drawers together and added a scroll and some trim pieces. Painting them all white unified the pieces making it seem like it was always a whole unit. Painting the box white was a nod to assemblage artist Louise Nevelson, a famous NYC Assemblage Artist who grew up in Maine.

It is always a joy to display eggs & nests in a creative manner.

The egg being held by an antique draftsman's caliper is one of my favorite moments in this piece.
I find a pattern emerging in my assemblage pieces, a large magnifying glass. This seems to be a signature that I regularly incorporate into my assemblage pieces.

I like the interactive quality that a magnifier brings to a small object and it allows the viewer to participate in the piece.

Look closely, notice a large Shell with a nest, 2 Eggs as drop finials at the top of the piece or the Araucana Egg used as a vase for a feather.

Fun, Scientific and somewhat entertaining, a Curious Birdie World!

Drawn From Nature Art Show...

2011-09-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have been working very hard to create pieces for this very special show. You will see some new kdb Encaustic paintings Assemblage, and Acrylic paintings.

The other artists in the show are Nancy Keenan Barron a painter and Allen Ponziani a sculptor. Chocolate Church Center for the Arts, Art Gallery is hosting this show. This show will be featured through October 30th.
The big opening is Friday, September 16th, 5-7pm.
I would welcome a visit, stop by if you have a moment.
If you miss the opening, the gallery hours

can be found at the Chocolate Church website.
If you would like to keep current on all of the shows and openings for kdb-art you can "like" on Facebook.

See you Friday.

Encaustic Shore Birds...

2011-08-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on a series of Encaustic Shore Birds. Caspian Terns, Great Blue Herons and a few Pelicans, adolescent and mature.

These birds can be found in nature at their rookeries on the gulf coast. To be precise the North Eastern corner of the Everglades. These shore birds breed on the outer islands. Some are nesting on the Mangrove Islands, others can be found on the around the lagoons on the outer islands that are formed from shells and coral.

They are best viewed quietly from a small skiff. Using a telephoto lens is the trick. The experience is amazing. As a society we need to make sure these birds and habitats are still around for many generations to come after us.
The first in the series is the Herons. To learn more about the sea around us you may want to check out my two favorite and highly informative books.The Edge of the Sea and The Sea Around Us, both by the naturalist, Rachel Carson. Also Oceana, by Ted Danson
If you are a curious sort of person you will not be disappointed and I think we can never know too much!

This series will be hanging at the Group Show, "Drawn From Nature" at The Chocolate Church Arts and Performing Center in Bath Maine. September 16th-late October.

Under The Sea and on The Shore...

2011-08-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

The newest Kelp in the ongoing series. The Bullwhip Kelp is Acrylic on Canvas with Rice Paper. I also finished an Encaustic and Oil Pastel of a Great Blue Heron.
All are on display, Friday August 12th at The Brunswick Inn, 165 Park Row, Brunswick, Maine.
See you there.

KDB ART Books...

2011-07-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

So for all of you who are fans of kdb-art, I have several books available online. You can click this link, KDB-ART Books and order the book of Art or Photography that interests you.
I have several books of Encaustic Painting mixed with a bit of paint on canvas.

The first is "The Natural World of KDB ART"
this small gem is filled with work created in the late winter through late spring of 2011. You will find, Birds, Bugs, Ferns, Nests, Shells & a few winter Birch with Crows and Cardinals.

Next, "Under The Sea" is a collection of mostly Encaustic pieces inspired by the sea, Hamachi & Blue Fin Tuna, Octopus, Clam Shells, Mussel Shells, Lobsters and Kelp floating in the ocean currents.

The following two books are both Photography.

"Birds of Marco Island and the Gulf of Mexico" is filled with images of these graceful creatures who grace the coastline. They inhabit the many Barrier and Mangrove Islands of this ecologically delicate region of the world.

"Summer Nature. . . . M a i n e" is chocked full of images that reflect my deep love for warm months and all things living or displayed mostly in our garden, in Topsham Maine.
Take a look, you will not be disappointed. To order click the link, KDB-ART Books.

kdb-ART Walk...

2011-07-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy creating 4 separate collections of Encaustic Paintings, for 4 different venues. You can take the kdb Artwalk, in mid-coast Maine. It would be fun to start at The Brunswick Inn
165 Park Row, Brunswick, Maine.

In the main Entry you will find a small collection of 6x6 etched Encaustic panels on cradled birchboard. This small collection features, Lobsters, a Toad, Ferns and a Beetle. Take a moment to stroll through the lovely gardens on your way to the Carriage House where you will find a major hanging, " Maine Nature 2011" mostly Encaustic with a few Paintings. This collection features Nests, some Abstract water and a few Goldfish.

You can then stroll down to
Little Tokyo Sushi Restaurant
72 Maine St. , Brunswick, Maine
"Under The Sea" is the name of this collection. This is mostly Encaustic on board, featuring Hamachi and Blue Fin Tuna, Octopus, Clam Shells, Mussel Shells and a few Encaustic, engraved style, Lobsters. I also have some oversized canvases of Kelp floating, Sea Grass and Kelp at the Bottom of the Sea. The inspiration was the Little Tokyo menu.
After a lovely lunch you can walk up to the top of the block and pop into the delightful Home and Garden Store,
Blessings 11 Mason St., Brunswick, Maine.
This cool shop caries Antique, Vintage and New Furnishings for your Home, Cottage and Garden. The collection of kdb Art includes, Crows, Nests, Eggs and Birds. Mostly Encaustic with a few paintings.

Now you will need to hop into your car for a quick jaunt north to Bath, only about 15 minutes.
Ornament Home and Garden, 11 Centre St., Bath, Maine.
This store is packed to full with everything for your summer Cottage, Porch and Garden. Items are picked from all over new England. Mixing up Vintage, Antique and New. The Ornament collection of kdb Art is Encaustic Shells. Clams and Mussels.
All of these locations have postcards with directions for this little Artwalk.

So take an afternooon and have a cool little Maine adventure and pick up some original kdb Art.

Encaustic, Under the Sea...

2011-06-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

On Friday June 17th the newest Painting series, "Under The Sea" will open. This show consists of mostly Encaustic paintings. I will be featuring Lobster, Hamachi, Blue Fin Tuna, Octopus, Clam & Mussel Shells and a few large canvases with Kelp in motion.

This 20 piece show will be at Little Tokyo Restaurant, 72 Maine St., Brunswick Maine.

It was fun studying the Sushi menu then researching the various options for the subjects of each piece.
This show will hang through the end of Summer. Stop in, have some of the best Sushi in Maine and leave with an Encaustic Painting from the "Under the Sea" collection

Encaustic Etchings...

2011-06-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

Encaustic is a medium that lends itself to all types of applications.
In this new series of small pieces, 6"x6", the backgrounds are a marblelike mixture of color which is then carved, cut and etched. I use tools that are typically found in a ceramic studio. I also use sharp metal tools to score and etch deeply into the wax.

Once the piece is carved I then rub Oil Pastel into the grooves. The effect looks etched.
This series is called "Grab N Go". It is hanging at The Brunswick Inn. If you are interested in seeing these pieces pop by the Brunswick Inn at 165 Park Row in Brunswick. Eileen the Innkeeper will be happy to help!
I also have a large show of my work at The Carriage House, also at the Brunswick Inn. This show has large and medium pieces. Encaustic and Acrylic on Canvas. Most of this work is large and medium scale. This collection features Nests, Eggs and a few Goldfish.

New Series features 6x6 Encaustic...

2011-04-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Creating art and being inspired is a daily activity for me. I have been in my studio painting like a mad woman for months, it seems. I fire up the Encaustic palette and work away for several hours at a time. The smell of sweet beeswax permeates the air.

I have been working on a series of small pieces, 6x6, this series will be available at The Brunswick Inn, Blessings and Ornament Home and Garden Store. The idea is this art is small enough to stick into a suitcase and take home and pop onto a bookshelf or you can buy several to create a statement. This series is Encaustic (Beeswax+Damar Resin) which is carved with various sharp carving tools and then the markings are rubbed with a dark colored oil pastel to give it an engraved look.

The style of these pieces is old school. Featuring a Botanical Style, mostly Birds, Nests, Plants and Shells. I have a variety of colors for this series and they all work well with each other.

A little glimpse into my Studio World…
During work days I create without stopping, except for lunch and walks in the neighborhood or a nice jaunt down to the sea, 28 quick minutes. My favorite spot for local inspiration is on a small thin reach at the end of the Harpswells, a series of Islands reaching into the Casco Bay. Periwinkles, Mussels & Clam shells are everywhere. Sea glass and heart rocks also make an appearance. It is a fantastic spot at low tide. This time of year it is me, a few Eider Ducks, some Mergansers Seals, Loons and once in a while a Gull screeches and laughs, breaking the quiet, loud silence of the crashing surf. The air is still cold but the beauty is spectacular. This is why I live in Maine. 22 minutes from my door to what I think is paradise. Although it would not hurt to be just a bit warmer!

Encaustic Bird & Birch Paintings...

2011-04-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have been studying Birch trees lately. How they look on a snowy day and the various colors and textures in the bark.

Encaustic painting lends itself to the extreme texture and layers that make up the trunk and branches of a Birch Tree.
I first worked on the forest with the Cardinal. My next piece to tackle was the Pileated Woodpecker on a Birch trunk. Both pieces are Encaustic and are 12"x24" on cradled Birchboard.

KDB Art Night Thursday March 24th 6-8pm...

2011-03-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

The 3 month show at The Salt Exchange,

245Commercial St., Portland, Me. is winding down. If you have not stopped in to see the 29 pieces of Art hanging on the walls of this beautiful restaurant, now is the time. We will take down this show April 2nd. It has been a delight to show my work in this lovely space. Charlie and Martha have worked very hard to create an incredible venue with amazing food, and the bartenders, well, they sure know how to make a perfect Martini. If you can, stop in on Thursday night from 6-8,I will be looking forward to seeing you. Oh, did I mention, they have a parking lot at the end of the building, just look for the sign.

Crows, Fish, Nests and a Few Seashells...

2011-03-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard up in the studio. I will be part of a show at The Bayview Gallery in Brunswick, Maine.The show opens on Friday Night March 18th 5-7.

It will be fun. A few of my encaustic Clam & Mussel shells in a bigger size,16x16 will be featured as well as a few Crow pieces, several Nests, and the gallery requested some goldfish and they will be swimming around on a few canvases.

This is a colorful and interesting show of local Artist's. I am excited to be a part of it. This show will hang for about a month. Stop in at anytime. They are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5.The Bayview Gallery, 58 Maine St, Brunswick Maine.

Encaustic Sea Shells...

2011-02-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

These past few weeks I have been creating a collection of Encaustic Shells, (Bees Wax + Damar Resin & Pigments) for the shop, Ornament, a Home and Garden Store in Bath, Maine. Gayle, the owner had a little opening on Friday Night. We had fun, and we were all talking about summer. (Shells will do that.)

A few have sold, so if you are interested you can contact Gayle and she will happily set something aside for you and if you live far away, she will even ship it to your door step!

These pieces are, 6x6, 8x8 & 16x16. Call for prices, 207.442.6636. This collection features Oysters, Mussels & a big Clam Shell.

FAQ's About Encaustic Painting...

2011-01-24T09:03:00.000-08:00

In November of 2009 I wrote an article on this blog about one of my favorite mediums, Encaustic. Over the course of the last 14 months it has turned into a love affair.
Bee's Wax and Damar Resin heated to 180-200 degrees is the medium, painting onto a substrate is the art.
Here are a few of my findings I would like to share.
First a bit of History.

An Encaustic painting is created by melting bee’s wax and adding a pigment (Color) to the medium (Bees Wax +Damar Resin). The wax is heated to about 200 degrees, and then painted onto the substrate one thin layer at a time. It is then fused with a heat gun after each application of the wax. The result is a rich, vibrant and textural piece of art. The etching into the wax creates more layers and dimension along with oil pastels and ephemera.

The “Encaustic Technique” was created and used over 4000 years ago. In the 1880’s a piece of encaustic art was found in an ancient Greek tomb by an archeologist. He shared it with museums and scholars, which peaked the interest of the artists of the time. It was not until the late 1950’s when Jasper Johns started creating Encaustic Paintings that this lost Art started to gain popularity. Encaustic Art can now be found in most Art Museums and Galleries.

Creating Encaustic Art

Brushes: I love to use Oil Paint Brushes from Sherwin Williams made in China from hog hair. My favorite and most easily used is the 1" Sash brush. It holds a load of medium and distributes evenly. This brush is well suited for putting the first three coats of clear medium on the substrate, or covering alot of surface in a short amount of time. I am also enamored with the Hake brushes which I usually pick up at Artist's and Craftsman in Portland, Maine. The Hake brush holds the perfect amount of hot wax and allows for fluid and gentle application. Another important note is ventilation. You must have an exhaust fan of some type. I use a window fan that pushes the air from my studio to the outside.

Palette: The process is fairly simple. I use a big electric Griddle this is my Palette of choice.

You can regulate the temperature to exactly 180 or 200. This electric Griddle is also large and should sit under the window where the Exhaust fan can move the fumes outside.

Encaustic Medium: Bee's Wax+Damar Resin. R&F Handmade Paints makes a wonderful large cake of clear medium. R&F takes all of the work out of this necessary element, however it is not cheap. A small stick is $11.50 and a large cake is $31.50. You can also buy the medium in pellet form, this is the middle of the road alternative if you do not want to make it yourself. It comes in 1 to 10 pound bags. You put the pellets into a small loaf pan on your hot palette, it melts and you have medium! If you are planning on a large series or would like to make your own, it is not so hard to do. From R&F or Artist's & Craftsman as well as many other Artist Supply Stores you can buy the raw materials to make your own Encaustic Medium. There are many different approaches. Google "Making Encaustic Medium" and you will discover there is an endless supply of instructions and techniques about making Encaustic medium.
I use 5 parts Bees Wax (usually bleached) and 1 part Damar resin, A Fry Daddy, a Strainer lined with some Silkscreen and held onto the top edges with clothes pins and a large bowl. I only use these items for Encaustic. They can't be used again in the kitchen, ever. By the way you will find most everyone has similar but different ideas and ratios on making their own Encaustic Medium.

Pigments: I have friends that mix small vats of color in small aluminum loaf pans and use these as "Paint buckets". They use the Encaustic medium mixed with Oil Paints. It is recommended that you put the oil paint onto a paper towel the night before to get the "Oil" to seep onto the paper towel leaving mostly the pigment behind.

I really like the simplicity of the Pigment sticks made by R&F Paint. These are available online at R&F Paints or at your favorite Artist Supply Store. The cool thing about the Pigment sticks is this,
you can use small amounts on the griddle/palette and it is the perfect amount. Check it out and find what is most comfortable for you.

Fusing: As you layer the wax onto your chosen substrate, it must be fused (heated). Easy to do. I use an industrial Heatgun from Home Depot. After every layer of wax it must be heated so it will bind or fuse to the previous layer. This is big heat, I have to be very careful as the tip really heats up and an accident could occur.

Substrate: My favorite are the cradled Birch Boards. They are strong, rigid and come in a variety of sizes, large and small. They are affordable and sturdy. Check out your favorite Art Store to pick out what you think will work for you. Often times I will paint these boards with Encaustic Gesso, before applying my first three coats of Medium. I like the way the light reflects back through the layers of wax in a finished piece. It is a technique that works quite well.

Tools: I love to carve and peel away part of the wax after I have applied it. I use many tools from the Ceramic Department of my Art Store. I also use, an Exacto Knife.

These have been perfect for the type of carving I like to do. For an example check out my shells and a recently completed Heart rock on Lichen. I think the fun is layering the wax and knowing as I peel it back I am exposing the layers of colors. This medium is great for highlights and shadows and natural objects.

Many Artists offer Workshops, Classes and One on One Tutorials. It is always fun to learn a medium and then take it back to the studio and explore. Is it right for you? Can you express what you are seeing and feeling with this Hot Wax method of painting? In the Autumn of 2009 I took a One on One Tutorial with Artist Helene Farrar, and I attended an Encaustic intro class at Meca taught by Kim Bernard last winter. I learned the "Techniques" and now have my own spin on this crazy versatile medium. Now I like to share the passion and techniques with other Artist's.

The light pours into my second floor studio and shines on the 200 year old Maple Trees outside of the windows. I am inspired visually, then I fire up my palette and the sweet smell of honey permeates the studio and true alchemy occurs. This is a magic medium to me, I love exploring the different techniques and creating these pieces of art that capture light and look like nothing I have ever seen. I think I am in love. Encaustic. (sigh)

I have a show (25 pieces) including many of my Encaustic Shells that will be up and viewable through late through April 2nd, at The Salt Exchange in Portland, Maine. My Shell series is also available at Ornament Home & Garden store, in Bath, Maine.
If you would like to find out where my next show will be or would like to learn more, please drop me an email, I would love to hear from you.

KDB-ART Book...

2011-01-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Recently I put together a book rich with images of my art and the narrative that goes along with each piece. I have included works on canvas, encaustic on board, some assemblage and mixed media. This 30 page book represents the show that is now hanging at the Salt Exchange in Portland, Maine. This show will remain up until the end of March.

The online version is available for viewing and if you would like to purchase a copy it is as easy as clicking "Buy Book" when viewing online.

If you do purchase a book, I would be more than happy to sign it for you.

I appreciate your interest. Thanks.
KDB
Maine Artist.

Art Exhibit @ The Salt Exchange...

2011-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

kdb art will be featured during the months of January, February & March. "The Salt Exchange" is a wonderful restaurant in Portland, Maine. The concept of this venue is Restaurant/Art Gallery. They feature four Artist's per year, featuring mostly Maine Artist's. TSE serves "Small Plates & Great Drinks" fresh, farm to Table concept. Wonderful dining and hanging out.
25 pieces of KDB Art are hung and ready to go. If you would like to view the show online, click here.

I will be at The Salt Exchange the first Friday's of January, February and March. I will also be there every other Thursday,from 6-8pm hanging around and talking art.
I would love to see you, so stop in and say hi. If you cannot make one of the above dates, stop in for a nice supper and check out the work. You will truly love the Food and the Art!

Art at Chocolate Church Art Gallery...

2010-12-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

December is such a hectic month, however if you are out and about in Midcoast Maine, I have 48 pieces of Art out in the world for sale at the moment. Come and take a look.
I am in a group show at The Chocolate Church Art Gallery in Bath, Maine. This show will remain up until the December 18th. Now is the time to pop in, I am featuring a 5 foot Nest, Paint and 2 Crows in the Snow, Encaustic.

Also, I have a collection of Encaustic Shells available at Ornament Home & Garden Shop in Bath, Maine.

A few spots in Brunswick, Maine also have pieces of my Art for sale. Blessings Home and Garden Store & The Brunswick Inn. Stop in they would be delighted to see you.

Nest with a Wild Sky, Dyptic...

2010-11-26T14:06:00.000-08:00

This was a fun piece to create. The inspiration is a bird lucky enough to build a nest out of long stringy and various thicknesses and colors of yarn left out just for that purpose. Ah yes, the human impact on nature. This piece is 48x24.

Oyster & Mussel Shells, Encaustic Series 2...

2010-10-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying the feeling of working with Bees Wax, the studio smells of warm honey and my palette is 220 degrees.
As the wax cools I am able to sculpt into the wax and also reveal under layers of the many layers of color.

WOW this is fun! This collection is being shown for sale at "Ornament" Home & Garden Store in Bath, Maine. If you would like to check it out this beautiful shop is open 7 days a week.

New Encaustic Paintings...

2010-10-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

I have been having too much fun in the studio. I love to spend the summer exploring the rocky coast of Maine. This year Oyster and Mussel Shells have caught my attention.

I have been studying (since early June) these shells and their nuances of color, texture and all of the sea schmootz that hangs onto the outside of these very interesting shells. The colors are surreal, for real. That was the best part!

Texture, hot bees wax+damar resin(220 degrees) and brilliant pigmented colors come together to create a visual feast and for me a longing of those languid summer days at Hermit Island. mmmmmm.

Good Eggs and Goldfish...

2010-09-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Good Eggs and Goldfish series are at the moment being shown and sold at Blessings in Brunswick Maine. Blessings is a Home Store with Antiques, Vintage Cool Stuff, Antique, New and Painted furnishings. Diane Vella does a great job putting her darling store together.
She is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Stop by, you will find something cool to take home with you, maybe even a goldfish painting!

10x10 Art Show...

2010-09-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

The 10x10 Show is an annual event in the town of Brunswick. I have three pieces in the show this year. There are 186 pieces of fantastic ART. Each piece is 10x10, framed and ready to hang.

The actual show is Friday October 1st, at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.

The View from Above, Good Eggs and Some Goldfish...

2010-08-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have been busy painting small paintings for the upcoming ART Rave. It is always a delight to paint Goldfish swimming about with funny little grins on their fishy faces! I also have been working on a small series of "Good Eggs" painted on maps, which have been mounted on cradled birch board.
Lastly I mounted maps on a canvas, then painted a stack of 5 eggs with a Crow, contemplating the view from, well, on top of the world. This painting is truly "The View From Above".
If you are interested in seeing these small pieces or my other paintings please come to The ART Rave, Friday, August 13th. 5-9 in Brunswick. See you there!
PS The Rave is a small group of fine artist's. FMI: www.amoveablefeastartgallery.blogspot.com/
KDB

"A Dozen Pieces" Art Show...

2010-07-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I installed my show "A Dozen Pieces" at "The Brunswick Inn" in Brunswick, Maine.
It was sure interesting to see all of these pieces of art hanging in one large room. The owners were enthusiastic and happy with all of these paintings that are inspired by nature, the natural world and true love.

In the show are Eggs, Nests, Goldfish and Crows, no surprise there. A few birds and an Eiffel Tower are also in the mix. Some pieces are large up to 5 feet and others are only 10"x10". I have included Encaustic, Acrylic, Oil Pastel & mixed Media. If you have a moment and find yourself in Brunswick on the common (near Bowdoin College) it is worth a look. A few have sold but will remain for a while.
Give Eileen at The Brunswick Inn a call she would be happy to let you have a look. While you are there you may want to check out her lovely Gardens and main sitting rooms as well as their Bar and Evening Music on random evenings.
The Brunswick Inn
165 Park Row
Brunswick, Maine
207.729.4914

A Good Egg...

2010-06-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

I love old Maps and painting eggs! I decided for my dear friend Michael's Birthday to create a bit of fun. I found a map of the coast of Maine (where Michael was born) painted an egg on the map, painted some paper, then typed "a good egg" and added his birth year on the second line. He was as delighted to receive this as I was to create it. Happy Birthday Michael!

Sara Cox is Delilah Pottery...

2010-05-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Every Monday I attend a gathering of Artists. We call ourselves "The Art Hooligan's". We share the work we have been creating, catch up on the upcoming call for Artist's opportunities and work very hard at helping to promote each others work and art in general. We have a wonderful hour or so and then are cast back into our own little worlds. I am very lucky to have such a great group of kindred spirits to share the collective passion of Art and the big imaginations that go with the business of Art!
Today I am featuring one of the "Art Hooligan's" members, Sara Cox. She is a talented Pottery Artist.
Sara is the creative force behind her company, Delilah Pottery. Her Pottery Studio is tucked into the woods on a little back road in Bowdoinham, Maine. When you turn onto the lane that leads to her studio, know that you are about to be enchanted. The long drive passes through a forest filled with dappled sunlight, ancient Apple Trees and of course the huge Pine trees that Maine is famous for. Sara loves this land and walks it most every day. She takes her inspiration from nature and is in a constant state of being amazed and delighted with her finds and musings from her daily adventures in her very own slice of heaven. The Studio is surrounded by Sara’s lovingly maintained gardens. Filled to full with flowers, herbs and bulbs, this garden brings joy to all who are lucky enough to spend time at Delilah Pottery and with Sara. Pinecones, flowers, bark, mushrooms, acorns and a multitude of flowers can be found on her studio table next to her drawing pad, waiting to be turned into a drawing for one of her pieces of pottery.
Sara has a love of the natural world and is in tune with the magic of each season.
The pottery that flows from Delilah Pottery is filled with color choices that are bright, cheery and bold making her style distinctively her own. Always re-interpreting organic forms and shapes in her own whimsical way makes her work original and highly collectible.
Sara mentioned that she was inspired by the work of the Arts & Crafts movement mentor William Morris. His work, mostly textiles and wallpaper were stylized organic forms, drawn from nature. His work is as fresh today as it was in 1860. Sara’s unique etched series of vases and bowls is most like Mr. Morris’ work. They seemed to be carved from wood and are highly graphic with perfect repeats and balance Her painted work is equally as beautiful but filled with whimsy, color and an energy that can only be called joyful. Sara Cox lives and “Artful Life” filled creativity, other Artist’s and her own big imagination. She is doing what she was meant to do, sharing her art and taking wonderful walks in the woods. You can view her work at www.delilahpottery.com Check it out you will be delighted.
Click to view the slideshow...

Encaustic Crows...

2010-04-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

MMMMMMM, I have been havin' more fun in my Encaustic Art Studio than a girl should! I had an idea to paint Two Crows in the Snow with some round reddish berries. The most challenging part of this painting was working with the pigments and encaustic medium to achieve the nuance of color and tone of the snow. The birds are almost multi dimensional due to building up with the wax and pigment and etching. This piece is 24" x 12". Encaustic + Oil Pastel on a Birch Cradled substrate.

Encaustic "Abtract Eggs", 2 of 12...

2010-04-10T13:38:00.000-07:00

Today I spent the day in my new Encaustic studio, here in Topsham, Maine.
I have been studying birds, eggs and nests ever since I can remember. They are very interesting. So many shapes, colors sizes, habits and habitats. Oh I love that birdie world! The colors of the eggs happen to be my favorite color palette, mostly muted greens, buffs and blues with many flecks and fields of browns, ecru, white and creme. In studying eggs under a magnifying glass the spots became abstract, the edges defined, becoming a series of edges and shapes.

This piece is what I envisioned. Today I finished 2 of the 12 panels, now it is off to the art store for 10 more substrates!
"Abstract Eggs" is 12 separate 12"x12" paintings. They will be connected to form 1 large piece.
BeesWax+Damar Resin = Encaustic Medium, add the color pigments and then the magic happens. This is an interesting medium to work with, using a heat gun and hot beeswax creates an artistic environment that is filled with experiments and happy accidents. The challenge of Encaustic is the more you learn, the more you just don't know. Love It.

Newsflash: Marketing Your Art...

2010-04-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

News Flash...
Read all about it.
I am going to be giving a talk on "Marketing Your Art".
It will be fun, informative and you will meet other folks in the "Art Community". Hope to see you there.

"On Monday, April 12 “Guerrilla Marketing” is the topic of Five Rivers Arts Alliance’s Member Meeting with Karen Dominguez-Brann. The presentation is at 6pm at Frontier Cafe, Cinema + Gallery, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. KDB is an artist and designer who lives and works in Topsham, Maine. Her talk will tackle the question
“Does marketing your ART make you crazy?” KDB will talk about Web, Print, E-news, Blasts and Newsletters. In an hour-long session she will teach how each component works and more importantly how well they work together. According to Karen, “We will discuss many options, most, which take very little money and basic minimal effort. You will learn about Blogging, and why, what you say and how you say it, is important for the search engines. You will also discover the beauty of “Viral” marketing on Facebook in conjunction with an e-blast and your just published blog article. Most of all you possibly will leave with an understanding of your place in your identified “Art Market”. See you on Monday April 12th , 6 pm at the Frontier Café.”

Log onto the Five Rivers Art Alliance website FMI.

Encaustic Painting in Maine...

2010-03-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

I have become totally enamored with Encaustic painting. Studying the Encaustic's Realm, a tutorial and some inspiration from Jasper Johns, Miranda Lake and other Encaustic Artist's sealed the deal. I am in love with this medium. The sweet smell of honey and the rich colors of pure pigment are absolutely intoxicating. I recently finished a workshop at MECCA (Maine College Of Art) with a fantastic

instructor Kim Bernard. She is brilliant, fun and very talented. If you have a chance to study with her, do it.
The workshop was "Technique" driven. Brushing up on the the basics and also many new tricks with color, heat, fusing and transferring images. This was the perfect 2 day Art Workshop.
Each piece featured in this article is 5x5 "The Bee, Butterflies,Dragonfly, & Nest". All feature different techniques, approaches and colors. My Art Studio here in Maine is a very busy place these days!

Science & Art...

2010-02-17T10:19:00.000-08:00

This mixed media portrait was a fun and interesting project. I have featured the physicality as well as some of the "interior' stuff that makes me tick. I am amused by most things and love the analytical and scientific, the natural and celestial world and of course, quirky and beauty. This incorporates many of those key "me" elements. I am looking through a monocle, haloed by a map of the starry sky, with a radiometer perched above, which when hit by the sunshine whirs about giving the piece instant motion! A paintbrush with dried paint is balanced atop of 2 eggs (Yes they always seem to show up!)
This piece also features a California coastal map, covered in some of my favorite Fibonacci numbers. I used a variety of color mediums, pastels, paint, grease pencil and medium gel. All in all it is fun, interesting and makes me smile. This piece is 16x21.

Three Feet of Goldfish, Sweet...

2010-02-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

This has been a very productive 2 weeks of painting. One of the finished pieces is 3, 12" canvases with 9 Goldfish swimming happily along. This piece has an abstract style water background and the fish are painted with thin layers of Translucent Golden Acrylic paints. Ahhh, swim little fishies!

Goldfish, at Last...

2010-01-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

I have been studying Goldfish for well over a year. My goal was to figure out the shimmers and glimmers of these beauties. Goldfish have a unique shape and they come in many sizes and colors. So after slogging through numerous photos, books and other paintings I was ready to paint these fish myself! I created a background that has the colors of water with plant, light and sunshine affecting the shades. Fun.

After sketching the fish, loosely with a pencil onto the canvas, the moment arrived. All of my theories and techniques came together in a perfect storm and 5 Goldfish appeared on the canvas.. Yes I am joyous, I am happy to look upon my canvas of Goldfish, finally!

Goldfish #1.... 2'x2' Acrylic on canvas.

One Morning In Maine Laboratory...

2010-01-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

This piece has been in the works for several months. Inspiration? Simple, I love Maine.

I have been walking on the Rocky Coast for more than 20 years. I was lucky enough to move here in 2001. What a truly beautiful spot, this Maine coastline. On my walks I find funny and interesting things like Heart Rocks, Egg Rocks, Moss and Seaweed, Junky Bottles, Feathers, Sea Glass, Sand Dollars, Urchins, Clam and Mussel Shells and funky pieces of Wire. Most of the pieces in this box I have had stashed away for many years. I found this old junky brown 4' box at a Junk Store and knew that it was indeed the box for my Maine Laboratory. I painted the box to look as if it was also found on the shore, added a glass front and pulled the whole piece together with wire and string. That is it. One of my favorite moments of this piece is the magnifying glass section. It allows one to see up-close a fun Mussel/Barnacle sculpture Neil gave to me last September when we had the magical "Full Moon Week in Harpswell." This piece measures 4'x 15".
CLICK ON ARROW BELOW TO VIEW SLIDESHOW

Branchy Nest...

2010-01-12T09:30:00.000-08:00

Branchy Nest was inspired by the color palette I was using when I was working on my Assemblage piece "One Morning in Maine Laboratory".

This very large Nest Painting was painted loosely and more abstract. I have been studying Field guides to Nests mostly because it is very interesting.

I was struck by the amount of energy that truly goes into building a nest and how large some birdies make their nests. Cool fact: Crows nests have an outside diameter of 22-25" and an interior measurement of 10 or so inches. WOW! It is winter in Maine and there is plenty of time to study things of this nature! I like the peaceful, quiet, all is right with the world feeling it seems to evoke. This canvas is 6'x2', it was painted with Golden Acrylics and Glazes.

December POP Art...

2010-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

December is a busy month for all of us but I was on a mission to finish these pieces before Christmas. Achieved!

I love creating pieces of art that feature my darling fellow and partner Neil. I found an old photo of him para-sailing in Florida. These 2 pieces were inspired by the Warhol series of manipulated photos. This was fun and I loved using the bright primary colors. The energy is as strong as the color palette. This is a mixed media piece: wood substrate, paper, Acrylic paint, Black Grease Pencil, a compass and found words.

Picky Eater, Mixed Media...

2009-12-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

My partner Neil is the "inspiration" for this piece entitled "Pickey Eater". Long story short, the inspiration for this piece was the very long list of "forbidden foods". So I have spent months with the seed of this idea. This piece is about 3 feet long. I incorporated: Painting, Drawing, Collage and Assemblage using, Acrylics, Oil Pastels, Pencil, Grease Pencil and an Antique Level & Sorry Game pieces.
The original concept for the style is called "inchies'. The concept is to have inch squares drawn, etched and or painted onto a substrate then images are added, painted and manipulated.

When finished the effect is not unlike an Elemental chart. Somewhat gridded and very graphic.

Nido con Dos Huevos

2009-11-05T05:14:00.000-08:00

The last week of October, Art came together in my studio like crazy. I completed three pieces, some of which I had been working on for many weeks. The last of the three is this small sweet piece. Nido con Dos Huevos, or Nest with Two Eggs. It was painted over an image transfer piece I was not particularly smitten with. This nest was painted with many sizes of brushes in translucent layers with Golden Paint transparent acrylics. Two eggs, all cozy in a comfy nest, yes, we are ready for the big and cold Maine winter.

Encaustic Art=Bees Wax+Pigment...

2009-11-02T04:31:00.000-08:00

Encaustic art is made by melting wax adding a pigment medium,(color) crushed or prepared and painting on one thin layer at a time. The result is a rich, vibrant, textural piece of art. Using a Heat gun to fuse and manipulate the many layers of brushed on beeswax, etching tools, along with oil pastels and ephemera to create the finished piece is a challenge, but wow is it cool and worth the extra effort.

I have been studying "Encaustic Painting" for almost a year. Books, other Artists and finished pieces in galleries have been my teachers. I was lucky to have been able to take a 3 hour tutorial with a superb artist, Helene Farrar. She answered all of my questions (poor girl I had many) and we created art. It was wonderful. She co-owns a gallery, Cerulean and has recently been asked to place her encaustic work in a high profile location. She was informed, efficient and showed me the ins and outs of Beeswax, materials, chemical reactions the + & - of the medium and we laughed alot. An amazing 3 hours and for me an art changing day.

My imagination is swirling with all of the possibilities. I now have a practical roadmap, know the approach I would like to take and have a vision of the first series of work I will create. It truly feels like a new frontier. I could not be more excited. Absolutely.

This featured piece (my first encaustic endeavor) is inspired by old Japanese brush art and incorporates Ephemra, Layers of Wax, Oil Pastels and much manipulation with the heat gun.
Fun, Fun, Fun...

Stratacaster Stack With A Percariously Perched Eagle...

2009-10-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Oh, yes, I finished a commissioned piece. Yippeee. I was asked to incorporate a Stratacaster Guitar and an Eagle. We all have a unique way of filtering directions as well as our own personal vision. Given the subject and my style I created a piece with the desired components but also added an assemblage of a Bridge, Tuner Keys and Electric Guitar strings. This painting was

an adventure and I also found it a challenge. It was fun and I especially like the unexpected moment of the painted strings mounted on the bridge and strung to the tuner keys at the top. Fun and somewhat musical in the visual sense.
Thoughts to ponder... Is the Eagle swooping down to grab and take the Stratcaster or is it trying to balance precariously on the unstable stack? Like the music industry it could go either way! Also incorporated into the piece is a 1945 map of Los Angeles/Hollywood. Rising up between the torn/painted hills of LA and the somewhat painted lyrics of Dylan's "A Hard Rain is Gonna Fall" is the foundation of the Stack of Stratacasters. (Seems a bit shaky considering it rests upon the LA music scene and LA!)
The Eagle is Audubon, Stratacaster Guitars, are Fender.
Thanks Nancy Coleman & Tom Babbit for commissioning this piece.(These folks are the driving force behind the band Funky Stella.)

To The Moon, an Empty Nest...

2009-10-13T05:18:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have finished what turned out to be quite an ambitious piece of art. I have been working on this piece since August. This painting incorporates Assemblage, Layers of Paper, Antique Maps and opaque Layers of Paint. The piece measures 31 x 18 and is 3 inches deep.
The inspiration for this painting was the idea of an empty nest with clear

possibilities (egg= new life). The eggs are placed in a box all in a row, in an almost, but not quite, perfect line, a nod to Wabi Sabi, the line is just a bit askew. The large egg on top is merely a touch of whimsy.
The layers of paint for the nest itself were painted onto the canvas one color and one layer at a time. The effect is like that of a nest built one string and one twig at a time.
Then came the splatting of the paint,(fun and nerve-racking) using layers of the colors used in the nest and a bright pop of Blue created the wild energy I was going for. I then found a piece of paper from a book, published in the 1860's, painting a Robin's Egg on this paper, and then placing it on what feels like a trajectory to another dimension finished this piece.
The canvas is wrapped with string and ribbon to complete the "Nest Effect".

This painting can be viewed in the Main Hall of my home at Melcher Place.
This is the first in a series of exploratory painting integrating Assemblage, Paint, Paper, Canvas.

Click on the arrow below to view slide-show of the process of this piece being created.

Sara Cox and Delilah Pottery...

2009-08-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

My friend Sara Cox is an inspired ceramic Artist, her company is Delilah Pottery. Sara is inspired by nature and the work of William Morris. (Morris was an influential designer who was part of the 1860's Pre-Raphaelite movement and is the creator and founder of the "Art's & Crafts" style, that we still love today.

Sara's work reflects her deep love and passion for nature

and the natural world. Her studio is nestled in her large overflowing and flowering garden. The garden is filled with butterflies, and many different types of birds. Her studio is organized, and filled to full with her beautiful work. She has created a "Woodcut" style in designing her beautiful Vessels, Bowls, Plates and Vases. Whether it is porcelain or terracotta pottery the effect is dynamic and absolutely hers. She throws her pots and vessels and then painstakingly etches onto the somewhat wet clay her nature inspired designs. Using a simple color palette suits her designs and creates a strong graphic look. She is a talented and charming person who shows her work around the state of Maine and is blissfully happy in the environment she has created to live and work on her "ART". Sara Cox can be reached through this site, send me an email today. I love, love her work, loverly!

CLICK ON ARROW TO VIEW SLIDESHOW....

Ice Skating on a Goldfish..

2009-08-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

This was a fun piece from start to finish. For a few months prior to painting and assembling this piece I was able to roll the image around in my head. Ummm delightful and always made me smile! I finished this piece a few months ago.

The components of old money, advertising, paper and paint along with some image transfer make up this small 8x8 piece. The fish swimming on the top are temporary and at this time are purely for my own amusement.

4 Paintings in 2 Weeks...

2009-06-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

I have been on a painting tear. Two weeks ago I started with a whimsical Green Heron that has a Kingfisher perched upon his head. (I do this for my own entertainment!)
They are both studying the lyrics to "Oh What A Beautiful Morning" while a dragonfly keeps the lyrics aloft. The light is sunny and bright. I smile when I look at this happy piece.
I then went on to do a Bird Eating a Butterfly. I wanted to feel like I was seeing them in the light of a magical forest. When I was finished I started to think about the fact that it really is a Bird Eat Butterfly World out there.

Moving on to the Squirrel's Playing on the forest floor. There are many species, all converging onto a fallen trunk that has landed on the forest floor. Know that you would never see this in the real world, only in my personal magic one. Each grouping has their own dynamic happening. I am not quite done with this Squirrel piece, I will give an update in a week or so.

Then the other night I saw this very graphic and modern image, it emerged quickly in my mind, I sketched it and the next day gathered my components for this mixed assemblage modern piece. The thought behind the image is a Balanced and Level Life. I am delighted to be able to mix it up and do a surprise piece that does not fit my other work style. It is fun, I love making ART!!!

Nest on a String...

2009-02-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

Nest's have always peaked my curiosity. For as long as I can remember I have photographed, collected and incorporated nest's into my work. I sketched and did the pre-work on my latest piece last Autumn. I have been studying various eggs and the nest's in which they reside. This painting has a starry night and a quiet, dreamy and ethereal clutch of eggs.

This painting is a bit abstract in the nest and has elements of paper adhered and painted on the canvas. It was a joy to create this mini (8x8) jewel of a piece.

Art in Dribs and Drabs...

2009-02-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

Life seems to be moving at a brisk clip.
Even so, I managed to create 2 pieces this past week.
I have been contemplating both for a while.
The new JOCO Box is Eggs, Balance and a Heart rock.
I particularly like the escaped egg on the top with a
small level set on top of the escaped egg. It is funny and unexpected.
Life is like an egg, we need to be careful to keep it on an even and level keel so all that is inside of us can come fully to life.
It is not always easy and can seem a bit precarious but it is worth all of the adjustments to work on the balance and the fragile nature of life itself.

My Painting "A Pelican & A Lobster are two unexpected partners on a canvas. I giggle to think that in real life a Pelican (who lives in the warmer regions & a Lobster who lives in the coldest region) can share a canvas. This is mixed media with Paper, Paint and Image Transfer.

Art SHOW...

2009-01-02T09:03:00.000-08:00

KDB Art is featured this month at the Green Rice Gallery in the NODA Art District.

I have several paintings/mixed media pieces hanging. Eiffel Towers, Lovers, Birds and Butterflies. Not a big departure from the typical KDB Collection, however it has an underlying message of love and possibilities.

The Madhatter & An Elephant...

2008-12-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

I finished this whimsical mixed media piece today. Just in time for my darling sister's birthday. I had fun with the bird, outside of the nest looking in, only to find the Madhatter taking her place. Life turned upside down.I used cigar bands for the bracelets on the elephants eggs.
Pure fun and kind of crazy. Happy Birthday, Sister!

New Studio...

2008-12-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

I have set up a large and sunny Art Studio. What a divine pleasure to have a space devoted purely to creativity. I am loving it. , I still am doing work at my studio in North Carolina, the new studio is in Maine. The space is south facing with many windows, terrific light and plenty of space to spread out and create Art.

Paintings and JOCO Boxes, are my main interest at the moment.
I love working in this new space, a bit more of the sea seems to be sneaking into my newest pieces.

Scroll down to view the slide show of the KDB Art Studio.

Click on Arrow to View!

Newest "JOCO" Box...

2008-12-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

I have been so excited about the "JOCO Box" series I have been working on. This Box features a Buddhist/Mystical theme however the humor of Buddha riding on the back of a bronze elephant from the 1800's makes me smile. I also integrated paper painted fortunes, fortune sticks, shells, eggs (always sneaking in there),

a butterfly and a hand. Note the egg with the golden wing. Maybe that signifies the promise of all that is new and unknown taking hold and maybe even flight. Just a thought.

Eiffel Tower 10x10's

2008-11-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

I have a fondness for most anything French. I had so much fun taking this image of my favorite Parisian icon, breaking it apart and making three separate mixed media pieces. I used the paint like watercolors with a Maxfield Parrish end of a magical day color palette. I took a leap and added a 3D element, an antique clock face totally painted and aged which is a departure from my usual pieces. Ahhhh, when I look at these pieces it is reminiscent of a late Autumn day when the light is thin but colorful. These pieces are available at the Green Rice Gallery in the NODA Arts District in Charlotte. If you haven't stopped by yet I also have some of my Birdstacks, Eggs and an Elephant Series hanging there. Christmas is coming, BUY ART!

Little Art Altars...

2008-11-22T07:13:00.000-08:00

Joseph Cornell has been my muse all week. I have been thinking, dreaming and designing JOCO boxes. My most recent piece is this "Spirit Box". I have incorporating things that are special and spiritual to me. I have incorporated painted fortunes from Chinese meals shared with friends and family, Chinese fortune sticks, my favorite Buddah holding a heart rock and a time worn heart shaped clamshell I found at the seashore. The scientific moment is the presentation itself and the round canisters housing a shell, compass and of course some eggs (they always sneak into my work). The box itself is covered with handmade paper and topped with 5 egg rocks found on a sojourn with my niece to Campobello Island on the Bay of Fundy many years ago. I like the way this box evokes a sense of mystery, mystical and eastern philosophy and a bit of magic as well.

Joseph Cornell, Master of Assemblage...

2008-11-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

Joseph Cornell is known for his small wooden boxes (from 10-12 inches to 20 or more inches in size), artfully filled with various objects. These boxes were usually covered with a pane of glass. Some of the elements were kinetic. These works of art are referred to as assemblages. The objects were chosen carefully, although many held no intrinsic value alone; when combined these objects reveal a deeper meaning. Birds were a common image, (a personal favorite) as were constellations and other heavenly bodies, either as two-dimensional images or merely evoked by a round sphere. Juxtapositions were always poetic, evoking associations often explored by Surrealists, of mystery, fantasy, the subconscious, dreams, etc. However his work differed from the Surrealists in that he was more interested in finding poetic connections of meaning between disparate objects. The miniature world in itself always has a unique charm and when these few objects are isolated in such a way they force us to really look at them and to think about their possible intended meanings. The spareness of the compositions also contributes to the expressiveness, with their geometry, curves and two- and three-dimensional spaces.Cornell's work brings some of this sense of wonder and mystery back to us.
Here is a bit of history that formed the foundation for Cornell's Assemblage Boxes. Duchamp, the Dada artist, developed the idea of the 'readymade' as an art object, early in the 20th century. Basically as an intellectual questioning of what the nature of art truly is, as well as a Dada shock tactic, Duchamp placed a urinal in a New York exhibition in 1915 (an object is art if the artist says it is). From this point on, the 'found' object could also be art, alone or with other objects. Cornell had already been collecting bits and pieces and putting them together into collages when he met Marcel Duchamp in the early 1930's.(Ah true inspiration!) His acquaintance with Duchamp and the Surrealists influenced his thinking and his work, as well as the box constructions of Kurt Schwitters, another Dada artist. Schwitters' abstract collages and constructions were composed of materials which had already been thrown away and 'useless,' however, rather than precious items chosen carefully for their meanings. Cornell had no formal art training, and didn't draw or paint or sculpt in the traditional sense. However he was the very definition of artistic and creative, as an artist who takes materials and/or elements, and combines them in inventive and/or expressive ways.
Click on Arrow to View Slide-Show.

Cornell worked in the textile industry as a designer until 1940, and continued to make his boxes and collages, as well as a number of films. Until his death in 1972 he continued to be honored as an artist and to live his quiet life.

Are you interested in taking a workshop that is inspired by the work of Joseph Cornell? It is a Saturday Sisters Art Workshop event and will be held the second Saturday in December.I created this sample to illustrate my interpretation of a Joseph Cornell Holiday Box. Click for more info.

Something is "Fishy" in My Studio...

2008-10-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

I have officially started my next series of paintings, I am calling it "FishLines". It is an underwater series of Fish and their environment. I love the texture of the different papers and paint on the canvas. The light in this first painting " Trout Fishing in America" is liquid and somewhat murky, streams tend to be that way.
I am now working on a bright calypso/tropical piece. It is 4 canvases equaling 8 ft of underwater magic. This sea scene will be bright, cheerful and energetic.
Excited is a good way to describe how I feel about this new series of paintings.Exploring light, color and how it interacts with water is a good way to spend the day!

Arty House and Assembled Art...

2008-10-08T06:23:00.001-07:00

Sheila Carpenter is inspired and delighted by many things. She draws her inspiration mostly from old/antique objects and incorporates them in many clever ways. Currently she is working on a series of dress forms, using different materials to explore texture and movement. She is always adding new techniques for her different assemblages and is a fan of attending artist's workshops. She was recently inspired by a Michael De Meng workshop, he is an assemblage artist with a flair for making magnificent altered creations that are shrine-like but look rusty and careworn. Sheila has applied this technique to her work in a fresh and different way.

I have so much fun photographing at her house/studio. Her work is very personal and she often uses photos of her family, some from many generations ago for the base of her creative endeavors.

She has an interesting home, filled with magic and artistic moments.
Sheila's home sings with light

at the beginning or the end of the day, that is when the natural light reaches deep into the rooms. This is when I like to pop by and take a few shots of whatever she has been up to, artistically.

Sometimes I can find a cool still-life on a book shelf, sideboard or an antique cabinet.

Her bookshelves are an interesting mix of curiosities, and lovely objects, as well as thought provoking reading material and of course her art is scattered throughout.

In her real life she has a big job, and I am never sure where she finds the time to be so prolific in her creative and artistic works.

She is one cool cat. Oh that sister of mine!

Click on Arrow to view movie

KDB Featured at Gallery...

2008-10-01T07:37:00.001-07:00

Since June of this year I have been painting and creating a fanciful series I call "Birdstacks, Eggs and and Elephant". I have created 11 pieces to date. They are pieces of Art that until recently have graced my walls and entertained me and my special friends who happened to drop by my Home/Studio.

This past week I was accepted into the Green Rice Gallery and six pieces are hung and Gulp for sale! I did not intend to let go of my private world but maybe it will be a good thing. The Green Rice Gallery of Charlotte, N.C. is in the NODA Art District.

Click on Arrow to View Slide-Show.
The music/soundtrack is Lynn Wedekind's "On the Wing"

The Baroness of ART Revisited...

2008-10-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Nancy Barron is an artist who works in many mediums. Whether she is painting a still life devoted to nature or the human figure she does it with energy and panache. Nancy is the Assistant Director for the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, Maine. She revels in the daily challenges of working with other Artist's and people who buy the Art. She has a sunny can do personality and enough energy at the end of the day to come home and nurture her school age twins, teenage daughter and darling husband. She makes her home on the shores of the Kennebec River. Nancy is an Artist who embraces the seasons and interjects her art with the colors of the natural world that surround her home. This time of year her Hydrangeas are in full regalia I wonder when she will start creating her Autumn series. Hmmmm.
Nancy can be seen in person at the Harlow Gallery most any day and her work can be viewed in three different adjacent towns.Keep up the inspired work Nancy.You can drop her an email for more info,
or to read more...

Click on arrow to view.

Home Is Where The ART Is- Pam Fawcett...

2008-09-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Pam Fawcett is a very talented artist who now lives in Charlotte N.C. I met her through an "Arty Group" of women. She is fun, delightful and so well versed in many different mediums. I was treated to a tour of her home and studio and was absolutely inspired by her fearless artistic approach. She attends many workshops and applies the knowledge she has picked

up along the way to create magical mixed media canvases and "found object" sculptural pieces.
Her home is filled with her own Art as well as a few other well placed pieces by other Artist's who are her friends or whom she admires. The actual style of her home is eclectic and lovely. The colors are bold and neutral and the furnishings are comfy and inviting. The overall atmosphere is a truly creative and inspiring one. Pam is an artist who loves actually doing all kinds of Art following whatever her inspiration may be on any given day.
Pam I look forward to hanging out in your studio again, soon. You inspire me.

Click on arrow to view the slideshow.
This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Birdstacks, Eggs & an Elephant...

2008-09-30T18:37:00.000-07:00

I have been on a painting tear. I have created 8 pieces since June.
I think living in the clouds is having an interesting effect on what I am choosing to do with my time.
I am loving the idea of stacking birds, incorporating eggs, and I just finished a piece that is 5 ft square in three sections.

I used an Indian Elephant as the anchor, Butterflies for light and air and the Birds are stacked way up into the starry heavens with a hanging moon.

It is fun to create fanciful images and explore texture, mixed media and image transfers.

Click on the arrow to view the slide show of
Birdstacks, Eggs & an Elephant!

This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Painting, Oh What Fun...

2008-09-30T18:35:00.002-07:00

I have had a relationship with art since I was a child and I have been a painter and a photographer for as long as I can remember. I have always enjoyed the creative process and have delighted in exploring all of the different mediums and the possibilities they present. The newest series of paintings I have been working on involve canvas, acrylic paint, transferred images and the tools needed to manipulate the paint ( brushes, palette knife, sponges and paper towels). I use a wide variety of paint products. Golden Paints has a wonderful selection of colors with various transparencies and the best gel medium which is great for transferring and applying the images to the canvas. Golden also has a wide and varied selection of molding paste and various gels and finishes. Liquitex, and even a generic store brand paint works very well. Try to stay away from the cheapest canvas' as they may not be primed and can be made in an inferior way. The best bet is to explore all of the choices at your favorite Art Store. A few here in the southeast are Cheap Joe's Art Supply and Binders Art Supply, both have websites and both have quality products at a price that is easy on the pocketbook. Log on and check it out. If you have questions you can also give them a call.

Some Artist friends and I have been exploring the world of image transfers in a scientific way. We have studied many different methods and our findings (which are still being discovered and calculated) are all over the place! The goal is to transfer the ink and not the paper, then apply, in this case to canvas. Many Artists use watercolor paper, and I have in the past, however canvas gives you the ability to add texture behind the image. This can be achieved by applying handmade paper, and various other paper based products which can be painted over and onto. I am still working on my quest for perfect transferred images. It is fun to have friends as curious about the process as I am. So we will try, try again!

Art is fun, art is personal and no matter what you say, everyone has an ability to create. So give it a try, go to a book store and hang out in the art and technique section, check out Somerset Studio Magazine, join an Art group or take a workshop but most importantly explore and let your creative self take over. You will be happy you did.

This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Janice Miceck, Creative Spirit, Talented Artist...

2008-09-30T18:35:00.001-07:00

Today I am going to write about the creative muse that lives within us all. My friend Janice Micek is an incredibly talented artist. Her specialty of the moment is assemblage art. She lives her life in an artful manner. I went to a workshop in her home and asked if I could come back and photograph her "Arty Still Life's".

I was inspired by her love of nature and her ability to tell a story with objects.
Tables filled with silver from a bygone era, shells and other treasures from the sea, a bowl of pieces and corners of old frames, not to mention the charming natural whimsy that was the underlying foundation to her display work. Janice also had a fair amount of nests and all were displayed in a cozy and nesty fashion.
Oh yes, this is a woman I could and will be very good friends with.

She loves art and the natural world and she understands how to integrate them into pieces that are clearly personal and pure magic. You go girl!
Click on Arrow to View Slide-Show.

Art Clubs and Groups...

2008-09-30T18:33:00.001-07:00

I had so much fun at my sister Sheila's, Art Club. It is a cool trend that is sweeping the nation. Basically it is Artists, and people, mostly women who are interested in socializing and doing some kind of interesting "Art Project" while catching up on news and kids. Friendships are forged and a good time is had by all. Oh and you get to take some sweet artful gem home that you created with your arty pals. No downside there!

The gals who hosted this Arty Afternoon were a delight. These events are usually held in someones home. The interesting thing are the levels of creativity and actual talent vary, however the Art at my Sister's club in Charlotte is mostly different variations on the current craze of "Assembledge".

Joseph Cornell is one of my favorite Assembledge Artists. His work is inspired by nature, mostly. Cool boxes and/or frames with items truly taken from nature. It is a cross between a mad scientist and a naturalist with the creative mind of an artist displaying the many items that surround us in the natural world. I am inspired by his work.

So if you are
interested
in an
Arty Club
in your area, consult Google or your local newspapers for events close to home.

This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Lari Washburn is Todays Featured Artist...

2008-09-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

Lari is one cool chick. I met her in my studio, she had come by to have me photograph her paintings. We hit it off, like peas and carrots. We have spent the last few months plotting and designing her website, photographing her body of work, which is extensive and having a major amount of fun.

I love to meet people who love what they do and have a passion for the life they are leading.It is always a joy to be around Lari. (Her name is pronounced Larry!) One day in early December I went to her home in Wiscasset, Maine to photograph her studio and some of her other paintings. What a kick. I ended up shooting part of my "Arty Still Life" series in her home that day . She has just launched her new website. Her work is clever, fun and tells the stories of a childhood, magically lived. Take the time to check out her work at www.lariwashburn.com or log onto her blog.

This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Lari Washburn, Maine Artist...

2008-09-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

I love to go into homes that are rich with small moments of beauty, or still-lifes. I always think of the great little photos they would make. My friend Lari Washburn is an Artist in Maine. Her home and studio are filled to full with inspirational moments. They reflect the season, her passion for color, and an artful presentation.FMI and to view her portfolio log onto www.lariwashburn.com