Online tools are great to keep you organized. Thank you AA! See new work posted here: https://www.artworkarchive.com/artwork/lisa-sisley-blinn.
New
Solo Exhibit at St. Charles County Arts Council June 1-30, 2013
Join me for a solo exhibit at the Lillian Yahn Gallery, St. Charles County Arts Council. Over 40 works of art. Easy to find in Winghaven, O’Fallon, MO. 7443 Village Center Drive, 636-561-0028.
Sisley-Blinn/Mixed Works
Paintings, Drawings, Prints
Solo Show. June 1-30, 2013
St. Charles County Arts Council
I will be at the gallery from 1-8 pm on Saturday June 8 for the reception. There will be an encaustic painting demonstration at 3pm.
Artist Statement
I am drawn to the ideas of liminality, chaos and deeper order, and the subsequent visual constructions of atmospheric environments overlaid with ordered structures.
In other words, in the process of decoding the bombardment of daily information, I try to focus on key concepts of visually fascinating instances. To get to the essence, I strip away the social-cultural temporal interpretations, which leads me to a moment of defined introspection. A cusp between the representational and the knowable, and the less tangible properties of emotion and non-linear identification.
As an example, what may have started as the observation of a wintered field, becomes a recursive process of refining the visual planes, a study of the saturation and dispersion of coloration within the landscape space over time, and the reduction of extraneous noise, such as telephone wires and poles, cars and people, billboards and street signs. Eventually I come to a balance of the essential elements. The question of, “What is catching my attention about this scene?” is closer to being answered.
Often, a horizon line of trees that wind break one field from another may slide up or down the defining space of the painted rectangle. The decision of more sky or more field may result in the line of demarcation sliding off the edge entirely forcing a reevaluation of the newly created internal landscape dialog. Maybe I didn’t actually need the trees, field or sky. Perhaps it is the references that are constructed by light and shadow, texture and pattern that are the subject reinforced by the cool or warmth of the day, energizing scents of the woods, sounds of the birds. The divining out of the essential experience of the space pushes the composition across the cusp from realism to abstraction, from the knowable to the “less sure.”
This chaotic imagery of fluid color and implied movement can be disorienting. So superimposed systematic shapes, grids and restraining lines, repeated patterns and textures are used to create stability: structure over chaos grounding the visual experience. Like looking through a rectangular window frame at the blowing garden leaves and petals on a blustery day. These spots and flows of moving colors, patterns of light and texture, reveal the path of the wind, and perhaps our thoughts.
Mixed Works: A Survey of Work in Various Mediums strives to cover several years of art creation that steps back and forth across the cusp of tangible and intangible interpretation. From minimal landscapes, abstracted bouquets, to distilled internal discussions dependant on color, texture, and pattern which create meanings and relationships. Over all, it is my hope that each piece offers a meditative space, a visual moment of contemplation.
Selected for Linda Womack’s 3rd Edition of Embracing Encaustic
I am thrilled to be included in Linda Womack’s 3rd edition book, Embracing Encaustic. Thank you Linda!
Embracing Encaustic
Read about it on Linda Womack’s sites:
- Embracing Encaustic: http://www.lindawomack.com/books//EE3-apply.html
“Choosing the artists for the new edition of Embracing Encaustic was challenging job, but in the end I selected 70+ pieces from over 150 artists who submitted work.”
- Linda Womack Blog: http://embracingencaustic.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/embracing-encaustic-as-an-ebook/#more-3100
“Great news! I’ve decided to reissue my book, Embracing Encaustic: Learning to Paint with Beeswax, as an electronic book (eBook) for the third edition. This will allow me to create a more comprehensive and less expensive book that will be available for immediate download by artists all over the world. It will be available through Amazon.com and readable on Kindle readers, iPads and other devices with Kindle software. Publishing as an eBook will also allow me to greatly expand our Gallery section to include many more inspiring works by artists from several countries.
Choosing the artists for the new edition of Embracing Encaustic was challenging job, but in the end I selected 70+ pieces from over 150 artists who submitted work. … I plan to have the eBook out before the end of the year, but hopefully much sooner. Check the Embracing Encaustic web page for updates on the progress or join our mailing list on the same page for email updates and the official announcement when the book goes live.”
“Iterations: #821.”
Encaustic and Oil Stick on Cradled Panel.
36″ x 36″ 2″ 2012
New Fall Classes 2012
Sign up early! Classes fill quickly.
- Encaustic+: 4 Week Intensive with Lisa Sisley-Blinn
Sundays: September 9-30. 1-3:30pm. 4 Weeks.
Location: ArtMart. http://www.artmartstl.com/
Class: http://www.artmartstl.com/class-registration/?ee=140
2355 S. Hanley rd. • St. Louis, Mo 63144 • 314.781.9999
Have you always wanted to learn about encaustic painting? Come to the “Encaustic+ 4 Week Intensive” to learn about this luscious, beautiful, versatile medium. It will cover safety and studio set up, transfer, drawing methods, collage and texture creation. Everything you need to know to get started. Taught by encaustic artist Lisa Sisley-Blinn. 2 1/2 hour class. 18 years+ (unless arranged with the instructor).
- Week 1: Encaustic + Basic Techniques
In the first class we will briefly take a look at the history of encaustic, review contemporary artists, learn about equipment and material safety, and studio set up. We will complete our first painting using layering and fusing techniques. - Week 2: Encaustic + Transfer, Direct and Indirect Drawing
Encaustic is a very versatile medium. In addition to painting techniques, encaustic can be used with most drawing materials either directly on the surface, or by means of transferring the image from another surface. Special focus will be on the use of oil paint sticks to create intaglio-like surface drawings and texture. We will complete our second painting using a water-based transfer method , as well as using drawing tools common to your home or studio. - Week 3: Encaustic + Collage: Embedding and Encasing
The encaustic medium can be used to create beautiful collages with both flat and low relief materials through the use of embedding and encasing techniques. Our third painting in this series will focus on using encaustic to create a collage, layered with drawing and painting to create a finished piece - Week 4: Encaustic + Texture and Low Relief
In our last class for this series, learn how to create texture using both common and surprise tools and materials. You will also learn how to create low relief patterns and shapes that can be built up quickly and easily. Complete your fourth painting
- Week 1: Encaustic + Basic Techniques
- Introduction to Encaustics
Saturdays: September 22-November 10. 8 Weeks.
Location: St. Louis Artists’ Guild
This class will focus on exploring current encaustic methods and materials. After a brief history and survey of artists currently working in this medium, we will explore studio safety, tools and materials, supports, heat sources, encaustic paints and medium, mark making, transfers, direct and indirect drawing, embedding, collage, and mixed media techniques. This class is well suited for both beginner and intermediate level students.
Instructor: Lisa Sisley-Blinn
Dates: Meets every week on Saturday
Saturday, September 22, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, September 22, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, September 29, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, October 6, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, October 13, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, October 20, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, October 27, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, November 3, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday, November 10, 2012 – 10:00am – 12:30pm
Cost:
$120 for SLAG members, $150 for non-members
Email: knahorski@stlouisartistsguild.org
Phone: 314-727-6266
- Studio Encaustic Intensive. Studio of Lisa Sisley-Blinn
(1 Class, 6 hours)
Experience the tactile, versatile nature of encaustic painting in a private studio setting with a one or two day workshop. Workshops can be scheduled for individuals or small groups up to 4 students. Skill level can be tailored to your needs, current projects, or interests.Learn about studio safety, materials, tools and techniques. Receive
handouts on safety, contemporary artists using the medium, professional groups, resources, recipes for encaustic medium and more. Some of the topics covered include: working safely, preparing a substrate (paper, panel, braced panel), making paint and mixing colors, hot/cool techniques, digital image transfer, collage and embedding, incising, and use of a heat gun and torch. Many materials included: encaustic medium, beeswax, encaustic paint, and oil stick.
One-day class is 6 hours, 10am-4pm with a break for lunch. Two-day class is 4 hours each day, 10am-2pm. Come take a class: laugh, learn and take completed work home with you! Limit 4. 18 years+
One Day Session, Six hours
$150.00 for one person
$125.00 for each person, up to 4 students
20% off class price for WaxCentric members. Learn more about WaxCentric. Membership is free. Sign up on our MeetUp: http://www.meetup.com/WaxCentric/Email: sisleyblinn@gmail.com for more information.
Online: Adobe Kuler Color Tool Rescue
Sometimes it is hard to either think clearly about a new color scheme, how to complete or extend an existing one, or troubleshoot a problem color. A tool that I love is Adobe’s Kuler. It is a free online color-chip style generator, and there are thousands of color groupings, called themes, that have been made by others that you can search by keyword. There is a short AdobeTV overview video.
I made too much of a semi-translucent green that reminded me of Lava Soap. Kind of a medium-minty color. Well, a little is fine, but I have way too much. So, turning to Kuler, I searched for “mint” as the tag and found many color options to work with my new treasure. Out of 650 results returned, some of my favorite combinations were: “watermelon mint,” “coral mint,” and “a passing feeling.” “Watermelon mint” is shown here.
You can create color groupings called themes based on analogous, monochromatic, triad, complementary, compound, shades, and custom. It is possible to make themes from pictures found online or uploaded from your computer, or variations on existing themes made by others. Save your favorites, and import colors into some current software tools.
In a short time, I came up with three combinations that could help me work with my Lava Soap encaustic color supply: “Iris I Detail II,” “Theme 3,” and “Theme 4.” Combinations are limited only by your imagination and time. (Possibly snacks and a beverage.)
I have over 100 color themes, including “Encaustic Bliss.” Look for “lisa.”
(No Lava soap green here!)
[Studio YouTube music-a 70’s Flashback: Harry Chapin: Cats in the Cradle; Cat Stevens: Father and Son, Moonshadow, Peace Train, Oh Very Young, Sad Lisa; Jim Croce: I Got a Name, These Dreams; Gordon Lightfoot – If You Could Read My Mind, Dave Loggins: Please Come to Boston.]
Sisley-Blinn 