BY LISA DONOHUE
Winter is usually my rejuvenation time - when I retreat to my studio, clear my space, and think about what I'll be creating in the coming months. Up until a few weeks ago I had been skiing pretty regularly to get in shape for a family trip along with brainstorming upcoming performance ideas with my dance troupe of 12+ years, Danse Carouselle. Things changed when a New Year's Eve ski injury would make it pretty impossible to do either of these things, short of watching on the sidelines with a shot of Jäger. After a lot of nature walks and sulking about what I'd be missing out on, I decided what I could do is turn my focus to encaustic painting and creating art.
I never thought I'd see the day I would put it out there for real: I'm going to exhibit my artwork. It's crazy even typing it. I had been following a good friend Jonquil's Instagram feed for quite some time and was inspired by her gorgeous macro photography. Everything from deceased animals and bugs, to earthy vegetation and critters emerging from the rich soil. Then it occurred to me it would be lovely to work on a collaborative project in photography and encaustic - even plan a first-ever exhibition. Knowing I'd have some down-time with my shoulder injury, I hit "send" on a text to Jonquil asking if she might be interested. It felt sort of like "hey, will you go out with me?"
Jonquil responded with awesome enthusiasm and positivity, and our first business meeting was set. Strangely, the very next morning I got a message from another dear friend, Siobhan, who asked if I'd be interested in submitting a couple pieces of work for a gallery opening on Whidbey Island. The pre-selected subject matter for the group exhibition would push me to create something COMPLETELY different, especially for more common contemporary applications of encaustic. I was terrified and thrilled all at the same time.
So here we go, into the unknown... In the coming weeks we'll be posting artist profiles, samples of work, exhibit information as it becomes available, and updates on this here blog.