I love October. But this year seems different, the rains that usually soak the mountains and riverlands are taking their time in getting here, and instead we have fog.
Stretches of fog, over the river and lakes, covering the wetlands and following the canals. I follow the fog to work everyday as I drive the half hour distance across the farmlands to my school.
The fog gives my eyes and my spirit a rest as I juggle my time between my job and making art, my home and family.
When I do get time to stand at my work table and paint with wax I almost feel like I'm in a whole other place, and it's so hard to pull myself away from the spell of creating and get back into the real world.
I was going into my classroom for a while every Sunday, but just can't seem to anymore, so instead I go in early Monday just to make sure I am ready for my week. The art time is just too important.
Here are images of my days. Mornings and evenings. Just trying to capture a moment or a color, the lines and shadows of October.
Here, the leaves are just beginning to turn.
These are piles of the different waxes that I am experimenting with. I love them all, and try them in different combinations.
I found this pan up in the mountains, something about the blue called to me. Now the rim reminds me of the blue of the river, and the rust is the color of the fields that thrive along side of it.
I am working on a new link on my sidebar for my etsy shop. I also made a link to a video I made last autumn: Autumn Rains that is there as well. Please visit if you have a chance!
And while I try to find my own rhythm, (and for you that are finding yours as well), I will take time to rest my eyes-on the images that make this month so special, to make art even if it is just an hour a day, and try to find a balance in my world.
And for a beautiful post about balancing life and art and the Encausticamp I went to this summer, visit Amanda Jolley's blog here.
And Bridgettes blog here for thoughts on motherhood and art.
I love thinking that while we go through our life, all in different stages, that we all try so hard to hold on to our passions.
Thanks for the mention, darling.
As always, I am enthralled by your encaustic pieces, and am noticing a theme of wings. Is this new for you or have wings been a longtime symbol in your art?
Posted by: amanda jolley | October 23, 2011 at 03:16 PM
It's always really beautiful here, Roxanne. I especially love the first photo.
Your encaustic work is so smooth and luminous. Love it.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Your words & your images always inspire, lift & ground me all at the same time. And I'm absolutely loving your encaustic work as much as your original mixed media pieces, too.
Posted by: Veronica Funk | October 17, 2011 at 08:15 AM
You are totally inspiring...I love all your pictures: so mellow, so zen like, so awesome. Lovely sentiments and wise words always do it for me too. I'm off to explore your Etsy and your sidebar stuff :-)
Posted by: Debrina | October 16, 2011 at 04:05 PM
Thank you so much for the blog visit; I am glad I found your blog and will definitely visit again :).
What wonderful photos of your surroundings and your art! I love your encaustic mixed media pieces - just fantastic!
Fall is a wonderful season, isn't it? Too short, if you ask me, so I think we all try to make the most of it in whatever ways we can.
Posted by: Sonya Johnson | October 16, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I'm hoping you find the balance you need, dear friend. I love how you've captured the beauty of the fog in your photos, as well as in your encaustic pieces. The wax gives everything such a rich and mysterious depth.
Here in Wisconsin, I'm seeing different weather patterns, too, and some of the birds and other wildlife have changed their patterns, as well. Since I cannot stop the changes, I am learning to appreciate some of the beautiful things these changes bring. Slowly.
xoxoxo
Posted by: Angela Recada | October 15, 2011 at 10:45 AM
The encaustic was such a beautiful, natural progression for your work. It adds that atmospheric element...I love it! I have some damar resin that I hope to add to the beeswax and play with, this has given me inspiration for sure!!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | October 13, 2011 at 01:40 PM
So much has changed since my last visit here to your beautiful site, but the mood and the atmosphere remain the same. So peaceful and ethereal. I love the way that you view the world, dear Roxanne, and I am very glad that something drew me back here to reconnect with you, today. I hope that all is very well with you and your lovely family.
Hugs,
Debra
Posted by: Debra | October 11, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Roxanne, I'm glad you decided not to go in to your classroom on Sundays. Your art is far too important to push aside. Each of these images is an artwork and I agree with di about selling your photographs. Have a look at Red Bubble. The quality of the cards and calendars is excellent. A friend of mine sent me a few of hers and I was so impressed. I love the first one and the two torn out pages make wonderful photos.
Posted by: robyn | October 11, 2011 at 07:26 AM
Good for you for making time for your art (Sundays)! It's fun watching you continually evolve in your work. And as always, your photos and words are moving. That first photo in particular belongs on a wall. Have you considered selling your photos on etsy along with your other art?
Posted by: di from di-did-it | October 11, 2011 at 05:05 AM
This is so Zen-like--- trying to catch a moment in time.. and such beautiful moments you have captured.
Posted by: Donna Watson | October 10, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Such gorgeous images here as always. Happy to say that I am the proud owner of one of the encaustic pieces shown here. Looks like the autumn has been good to you so far and provided much creative energy.
Posted by: Seth | October 10, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Good morning, we on the east coast have been having a good bit of fog too but then we've had enough rain for several states to enjoy! your photos are lovely. I have enjoyed looking and thinking about your part in them! thanks, lyle
Posted by: lyle baxter | October 10, 2011 at 04:16 AM
What a beautiful post, your photos are always so inspiring.
Posted by: robruhn | October 09, 2011 at 04:11 PM
Dear Roxane,
Thank you for accepting my request on FaceBook and with your latest post notifying me that you have a new entree on your blog.
Autumn and rain is not a combination we have here in Northern California, but last week we had two storms of which the last one left us with a good amount of rain. Though it is cooler, the sun is out and we are expecting rising temperatures. In many ways i am delighted we have had a limited number of 100° degrees, because i just do not do well when it is about 85°.
Looking at your encaustic work, I am very excited with what you are doing since your studies this summer. Personally I love encaustic and i hope to be getting into it at some point soon.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us.
Warmest regards,
Egmont
Posted by: Egmont | October 09, 2011 at 03:51 PM
We are getting the rain you aren't I think. Altho today its lovely out. It did rain during the night. These are all lovely colors. I was thinking that the materials seemed to be more summer colors but as I look out my window I am seeing those very same colors in the trees and bushes and late flowering plants.
Posted by: Cris, Artist in Oregon | October 09, 2011 at 03:36 PM