helene
“Flying Owl” by Hélène Farrar.

A few weeks ago I met up with my former Gallerist and now friend who complimented me on my ability to continue to play in my work. It made me think of the performance Artist  / Musician John Cage from the 1950’s. He was an interesting music maker, believing that the act of play through experimentation and the use of alternative sounds (and play) was an authentic way of creating his art. While my own materials aren’t necessarily alternative, I too practice play as a means to “image making”. I am always staying open to seeing something that inspires an idea, that I can immediately respond to or collect it for another time, and I like to pivot while in the act of painting in technique. From splattering, to scraping or using a blade. Not in any specific order.

Most recently, I’ve created close to a dozen encaustic critters of bunnies jumping and twisting (see below a fav of mine). And if you need to see those bunnies, they are available at Ticonic Gallery, Waterville Creates in their Holiday Bazaar. Details here. I’ve also been using the act of walking outside as much as my schedule allows to observe the landscape and return to the studio to paint. It feels like playing for sure. The Archipelago Gallery has the one above and five others from this set now in Rockland. Info here about the Gallery.

You might remember from last month that I made a big announcement that I am working towards moving my studio to the midcoast of Maine. It’s definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone, but I am also very excited. It’s going to happen over a bit of time, but I’ll keep you in the loop here. You can sneak a look at what my artwork looks like (and some big pieces still available) here as more of a showroom and maybe you might know someone who’d like to take on this cheerful farmhouse. Feel free to share. And yes, I am still running my 15% off sale to honor my 15 years of officially being in business! Plus some more new works too! See here.

This weekend is my last workshop of the year. There are a couple more spaces in  “Oh Glorious Autumn” a two day workshop in encaustic painting at Waterfall Arts in Belfast. Here is the link to learn more. Also, mark your calendars for Small Business Saturday, November 30th for my annual online “Small Pictures Sale”. It’ll be right in my online shop here! I’m aiming for twenty little works under $200 bucks. Not to worry, I’ll drop a reminder here earlier in the month.

Phew. That’s it.  Time for a second cup of coffee, right? Have a wonderful day wherever you are! Thanks again for being here.   

— Hélène