I’m glad to be out of touch with mainstream camera culture. Here’s the truth….I love photography—but I am completely out of touch with mainstream camera culture. Ask any friend I’ve traveled or photographed with. I’m not up on the latest cameras, newest lenses, hottest apps, or whatever Photoshop trick is trending this week. Honestly? I’m… Read More »Out of Touch with Mainstream Camera Culture
I’ve known photographer Doug Beasley for years. I’ve taken his workshops, stayed at his cabin, walked countless laps around Como Lake with him, and shared many meals and conversations about creativity, art, and life. He is not only an extraordinary photographer and educator, but also one of the most thoughtful souls I know. This particular… Read More »The Power of Creative Vulnerability
Photo copyright isn’t the most thrilling topic in the art world—but it’s one of the most important. As a photographer, my creative process begins with my own images. The wax, pigments, and techniques transform the photograph, but the foundation is uniquely mine. That’s why I refuse to work with images I didn’t personally take—even if… Read More »Understanding Photo Copyright as Artists
My Life as an Artist. Making a living as an artist isn’t always easy—but most of you already know that. Still, it’s absolutely possible, and I’m here to tell you it can be done. Yesterday, while working at the fire art center, I had the chance to talk to a group about my process and… Read More »Art, Business, and Making It Work
It’s all about relationships…… I know we all know this, but it bears repeating…..it’s all about relationships. It’s about finding ‘like minded people’ or as some say, ‘finding your tribe.’ I do a fair amount of social media, but there is no shortcut for building a genuine relationship with another person. I’m reminded of this… Read More »Finding Community as an Artist
If you know my work, you already know I use a lot of white encaustic paint. And every so often, I find myself in a pinch—out of commercial white and needing a quick solution. Commercial encaustic paints are made from beeswax, damar resin, and high-quality pigments, often dispersion pigments that are formulated with very little… Read More »DIY Encaustic Paint Using Oil Colors
5 Reasons to Enter Art Competitions Entering art competitions can feel intimidating—especially if you’re new to the process—but they offer tremendous value for your growth and visibility as an artist. After judging the 2016 National Juried Photo Encaustic Exhibition at Sage Gallery in Portland, Oregon, I was reminded of just how transformative competitions can be.… Read More »5 Reasons Every Artist Should Enter Art Competitions
Meet Deborah Williams. One day when Deborah and I were emailing back and forth she nonchalantly mentioned that she grinded her own pigments. My reaction…..wait, you do what? She had my attention, and fascination. Since this is so far out of my realm, I asked her to talk about her process. +++++ I love the… Read More »DIY Pigments for Photo Encaustic Artists
How do you find your style? Finding your artistic style is one of the most common and elusive topics in my classes. Students often ask: “Does your style find you, or do you develop it based on your strengths?” The first step is mastering the techniques of your chosen medium. Style can’t truly emerge while… Read More »Discover Your Unique Art Style
Where does the time go? At the end of July my Minneapolis studio lease ended, and half of my supplies went into garage storage while the other half came with me as I headed west. By early August, I landed in Snowmass, Colorado, ready for 11 weeks devoted almost entirely to creating art… and hiking.… Read More »Reflections from My Colorado Art Residency