Picking and Waxing, a Dream Workshop

The very talented and funny Daniella Woolf’s Encaustic Improv workshop at the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville, WA combined two of my favorite passions–picking at a garage sale and waxing. No, not my legs or eyebrows, waxing what we picked from the Lion’s Club garage sale. Daniella didn’t give us much direction, just be open to what we could find that might be “waxable.” Well, that was a pretty broad directive. As long as it wasn’t slick, shiny or plastic, we could give it a go back in the studio. Daniella is known for unusual encaustic installations of gigantic proportions and unusual materials, albeit now she is working on some very small projects that my friend, Irena and I were privileged to see in Daniella’s studio on Whidbey Island, and where Irene picked up Daniella’s very cool, yellow with zebra-striped-taped handlebars LeMond touring bike which Daniella had ridden in a few long-term bike rides, in a tutu, no less. Yep, saw the picture. But I digress……back to the garage sale.

I have to admit, I was a little unsettled with so little direction because I knew if I was picking that it would be for assemblages. Time and time again, I am drawn to combining my assemblage and encaustic work. I think I am just going to have to give in and concentrate on those two. Daniella says that I need to take a workshop with her friend Wendy Aiken. Road trip, anyone?

Our findings at the garage sale–first haul, there were two others……

Encaustic exploration

Encaustic and plaster piece using a photo from my friend, Kate Daniel.

Plaster and encaustic leaf

Bound for Love, mixed media, encaustic assemblage in drawer

Close up of markings and background

Remembering the Way

Close up of image in sewing machine drawer

Daniella and Irena

Waxing packing materials

Lid from a box that got “waxed.”

Daniella was up to teaching us anything that we asked, so the white board in the front of her work station was filled daily with new requests. I happened to see a wonderful piece of work on Pinterest and asked Daniella how the effect was achieved. She showed me and Remembering the Way is the result.

Daniella is a hoot, wears great glasses that we coveted that her wife, Kim, found on line. Zinni will be getting a few hits from workshop attendees. Daniella has committed to teaching the class again next year so if you are interested, be sure to sign up for the school’s newsletter because it will fill up quickly.

Kim and Daniella

Here are a few pictures of some of the other attendee’s pieces. My very talented friend, Irena, has the most wonderful sense of color and composition. And Shannon Cobb’s meticulous work was very inspiring.

Shannon Cobb

Mary Ann Daves, my tablemate!

Irena Ellis

Laurie Richardson

Laura Feeleus found a book on sock monkeys…..so cute!

Close up of Shannon’s work–those are beads!

A special shout out goes to my friend, Karen Raines for letting Irena and me crash at her house. Here’s what awaited us the morning that we left the island.

Sunrise on Whidbey Island

Thanks, Daniella, for a wonderful workshop. I’ll be seeing you soon and look forward to our next adventure.