Blackbird

Blackbird
6x6" Encaustic on panel
©2011 Giselle Gautreau

This painting is on view at Many Hands Gallery, in Capitola, CA

Among twenty snowy mountains,
The only moving thing
Was the eye of the blackbird.

-Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird, by Wallace Stevens

May Day


Goodbye April

I can't say that this month was very productive in the studio, as there was a bit of a lull after hanging my solo show at Regale Winery. Then came my children's Spring Break followed immediately with jump-starting our spring house projects. Speaking of our house, it's been three years since we've moved into our Santa Cruz Mountains home. Happy house anniversary! It's a bit of a fixer-upper, but with time it'll get to where we want it. In the meantime, the weather is warming so it's time to garden, be outside with the chickens, and dare I say it... contemplate getting honey bees.
During my hiatus from the studio, I have to admit that my head and heart were still in it. By the time I jumped back into my work, I had a million ideas spinning. It felt great to start making art again. I couldn't wait to return to encaustic painting. I've also been reading up on beekeeping, so bees are on my mind. You'll likely see some of the results of those two preoccupations in the following weeks here on my blog.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some upcoming art events.

My show at Regale Winery is up for another month. If you missed the opening, the show is up until May 30. Don't forget to sign my guestbook!

I will be showing some of my birds & bees paintings at Many Hands Gallery in May & June. Many Hands Gallery is located next to Gayle's Bakery in Capitola. Fabulous baked goods + art, all by the beach. Sounds like the perfect field trip to me.