Wistful for wax

Process: Painting in Encaustic, originally uploaded by e.briel.

Photo from 2000, painting in encaustic.

During my last year at university, I received a grant to study encaustic painting, an ancient Greco-Roman technique of painting in wax. I continued working in the medium for a few years, then turned to cyanotypes as they were more portable for my travelling lifestyle than cumbersome kilos of wax painted onto wood panels. But since settling in here, I've considered starting working in encaustic again.

Last week, before I accepted a position as Visual Arts Facilitator at Colour My World, I worked out a studio schedule that would still allow me to produce work regularly. But most of my studio time will be during evening hours, well after prime cyanotype time. I've considered spending evenings painting cyanotype "negatives" for a new series, but will only be able to print two days a week, so have been searching for another medium to use at night. Encaustic fits the bill perfectly, but will have to wait till I get my supplies shipped from Mom's basement in Minneapolis.

Today I found Deanna's blog. She's an encaustic painter in Texas, and kudos to her for painting with hot wax in that weather.

Other changes due to a restructuring of my life & time: this blog will now be updated once a week, instead of Monday-Friday(ish). Priority at this point - aside from my work at the center - has to be on making work and figuring out where to hang it (aside from the plaster walls of my studio).

Hurrah for lace and spandex. Here's a painting by the Malaysian artist Kustarto BUDI, from his "Power of (G-string)" series. He's a finalist for the Sovereign Asian Art Prize this year.

The Hong Kong-based artist Simon Birch is also a finalist.

Deadlines: can't live with them, can't live without 'em

I've just accepted an exciting "day-job" that will force me to better manage my studio time. So I got to thinking about deadlines.

Wiki says a deadline is "a boundary where a person may cross only at the risk of death"

And as always, some upbeat advice from Robert Genn this week:

"I've noticed that advertising people, commercial artists and other folks who are used to dealing with deadlines, tend to do well when they parachute into fine art. It seems they start giving deadlines to themselves.

Maybe everything worthwhile has to be done to a deadline. Maybe nothing gets done without them. At least in the studio they tend to be passive, or at least pleasant.

Maybe we just fool ourselves.

Life itself is an hourglass swiftly emptying. Time is precious
and has to be managed. In the case of life, the deadline is not
always firmed up. Maybe that's why we need them now.

PS: 'A goal without a deadline is a wish.' (Cindy Rold)"

Just when we get broadband, the plastic melts

Our computer won't turn on these days and Roy's doing CPR with the hard drive, so hopefully my thousands of photos haven't been lost ("we can back them up when we get Nero with a genuine Windows" I'd said - oops!)

We've just installed a "legit" Windows to replace the illegal version that came with the thing, so that could've been it, or perhaps it was a delayed reaction by the CPU to the jarring sustained by being pulled in a trolley across a small Lamma valley, when we moved last month.

Either way, the blog was interrupted, but life continues.

Have a look at Marcela's Illustrated Dictionary. An Argentine artist/language teacher in HK, with fiery hair and a fast brush.

Yesterday Noah & Trinh Potkin had a multi-purpose party: housewarming, "going-away" (Trinh will leave at the end of the month to have her baby in Vietnam), and a "happy birthday Elizabeth" party, too.

A mantis decided to join us, just in time for chocolate cake:


Anh and mantis



Neighbors love their dried fish


Housewarming gift from Jimmy

Leena's paintings will be at the studio till Spinoza/Edward's show of "Wild Teenage Beatnik Dancers" on October 14th.

They'll be available for private viewing, and prints should be available in coming months.


Leena in heels


Lisa wants this one


Jo and friends

Candid photos


Leena with artist - and Chinese/English translator - Annie Knibb


Looking lovely

Guests and Goodbyes

also from Leena's opening.


Bob Davis, photographer


Steve says goodbye


Erik (from the Main Street shop) signs the guestbook, with his wine in a provocative place

Leena's work has real presence to it - hard to describe, but easy to see.

Here are some photos of guests with her "sunglasses" painting.


Noah


Steve's in love


Andre - visitor from South Africa

Photos from Marilena's [Leena's] opening

Leena the Artist and her husband Nick the Bookman


Lots of wine


Trinh and the Latin ladies

No internet at home till next Thursday!


Painting by Leena

In the meantime, here's the first newsletter from The Cyan Studio:

Dear Artist / Art Aficionado,

Can it already be September? Summer's long languorous days are over - for this year at least. It's back to school for many, back to work for a few, and galleries & cultural organizations are gearing up for a busy season ahead. On our little Lamma island, many teachers and parents are back, just in time for cooler weather and longer nights.

Featured Artist at September's Open Studio: LEENA

This Sunday September 9th, from 2-6pm, The Cyan Studio is pleased to exhibit the striking paintings of the beautiful artist Marilena. Originally from Finland, she has called Hong Kong home for many years now. You can view a selection of her paintings here.

NB: They're nudes, so "Not Work-Safe". Just scroll down and you'll see them. Thanks to Lamma-Gung for letting me use his photos, as my computer's still in pieces after a recent move.
Studio map available at http://www.thecyanstudio.com

Autumn Art

Daylight has already begun to change to gentler autumn light. For photographers, this often means a warmer tint to their images, especially during the morning/late afternoon. If you've the luck to live in a region where trees turn into riotous reds and oranges, send me some photos!

For artists, it's a wonderful time of year to do "plein air" painting: cooler weather and breezes mean a better time for you and your art outside. While watercolors can have a luminous look, their transparency and water content can be difficult to manage. Acrylic paints are the easiest to use both inside and out of your home, and if you apply them in thin layers, should be dry within minutes of painting.

Studio Notes

Recent works I've posted online have been preparatory drawing for cyanotypes; the final image will look quite different. Currently I'm calling it the "Chinoiserie" series. You can see some of them on Flickr.

After a recent stint painting faux marble at the Macau Venetian hotel, I've since taken on more "English through Art / Art in English" students, and currently have some room in my schedule. Feel free to pass on this email or contact me if you know a child or adult who might be interested in art or photo classes/workshops.

The Hong Kong Mural Society is currently seeking sites and proposals for murals during the coming school year. Past murals have been painted in 100 locations around Hong Kong, including schools, parks, and housing projects. It's a unique educational and community program. One of the founding members, Martie Geiger-Ho, has just returned to HK to teach at HK Baptist University. See some of her work at http://www.kilnlore.com


Wishing you warm autumn walks with your camera or paintbrush - or just good company,

Elizabeth Briel
--
The Cyan Studio
+(852) 6252 6839
2/F 21C Back Street
Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island
Hong Kong S.A.R.
http://www.thecyanstudio.com