New Year = New Bold Color


A painting of a woman in a kimono smoking.

Kabuki, 3.5″x2.5″ mixed media

2019 began for me with an Award of Merit for my “Kabuki” painting in the Copley Society of Art small works show. This miniature painting was created by transferring the image of one of my 24″x18″ watercolor paintings fused into encaustic medium, then highlighted with pigmented wax and oil pastels. The translucent layers of wax allow for light to travel and keep the colors brilliant. You can visit the entire show online here – Copley Society of Art

I also have been focused on alcohol inks and discovering multiple ways this paint can be combined (safely) with encaustic medium, as well as painted directly on Yupo and other papers. The movement and layered color has been very liberating as I have taken my private studio practice in the direction of abstraction.

A painting of a colorful abstract scene with green, purple and pink.

Nest 1, 12″x12″ alcohol ink and encaustic on panel

A painting of colorful abstract shapes and colors.

Nest 2, 12″x12″ alcohol ink and encaustic on panel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These paintings are successful when combined together as a diptych or as individual works. I’ve also started painting on larger sheets of Yupo paper, and will be playing/learning with different types of inks from various companies going forward.

So far, I have used Piñata and Ranger combined with extenders and 91% alcohol. I’ve been reading “Pigments of Your Imagination” by Cathy Taylor which made clear a connection for my love of watercolor wash techniques to a similar love for alcohol ink painting.

Living a creative life has always been my happy place. It feels good to be learning something new and unfamiliar… being vulnerable to trial and error opens the door to alternative thinking and creativity… after all, what else is there?

A woman holding a ribbon in front of many paintings.

Polar Blast, 26″x20″ alcohol ink on Yupo

A woman holding a ribbon in front of many paintings.

Underwater Cave, 20’x26″ alcohol ink on Yupo

2 Comments

  1. Patricia Mauceri on February 3, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    These are so beautiful! Congratulations on the Copley Society award!!!!

    • rsamiljan on February 4, 2019 at 8:22 pm

      Thanks! Glad you made it to my blog.

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