These two pieces of artwork were created during an oil and cold wax workshop with artist Leslie Miller in Tubac, Arizona in April. It was my first in-person workshop in over two years!!! How wonderful it was to be creating amongst others again.

This diptych came to me on the last day of class. I had several layers of wax and marks down from the previous day. I was unsure how to bring the piece together, but had the sudden inclination (and braveness!) to cover the entire work with solid colour and try to mark a horse figure into the wax. I layered translucent earth tones and warm white, then, scraped back to lower layers in specific areas and marked in the horse with a chopstick. Much to my surprise what emerged completely captured the earth, warmth and feel of the Arizona landscape. I had bought a few pieces of turquoise jewelry the day before and magically their unique colour weaved into the work as well. Isn’t it amazing how when we are in a creative place in mind and soul how open we can be to the power of our surroundings?

After the workshop, I travelled north to the Salt River where I met with fellow artist Karen McLain who regularly paints Plein air along the river bank. It gets pretty hot here and the horses have free access to the river which they regularly cross, sip and bath in, alternating between dusty rolls and sleeping in the shade up on the river bank.

Since my trip to Arizona, I have been alternating between working in cold wax medium and oil painting. I have come to own this combination of media, as for some time I have questioned if I should be focused on one medium or style. However, the truth is, I like the diversity and contrast of the two mediums. For the month of August am showing this combination at The Portland Bottle Shop, in Sellwood. I think that despite the diversity in the mediums, the pieces still all flow together and create a unified look. I hope you are able to come to see it!!