Now Downloadable! "Authentic Visual Voices" and more

Now Downloadable or Streaming!  Authentic Visual Voices

I can't tell you how excited I am to announce that Authentic Visual Voices 

is now available as a download now for your ipad, iphone or laptop!!  

You can download it and/or keep it in the cloud for streaming any time.

Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper & Encaustic 

380+ color images 

29 video interviews with international artists 

who integrate the two media - 

for 2D and 3D inspiration!
Please visit www.authenticvisualvoices.com 

In fact all of our videos and books and research is available this way 

through our new Purple Platform shop...

For our educational Papermaking Workshop videos and the unique Beater Finesse, 

please visit www.papermakingresources.com

Entering the new digital world!

The Art of Jurying~ "Experimental Watercolor" Exhibit for the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild

I was asked to jury a show for the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild (SAWG) last week.  I am not a member and know very few of the artists whose work was submitted.  This is a synopsis of a letter I wrote to SAWG.  I thought to post it to my blog.... I am asked to jury a lot and was inspired to write about what it is I look for when I am analyzing the work before me.  Perhaps it will be of interest to other artists and jurors.

I am inspired to write to you all, the members of the Southern AZ Watercolor Guild~  Thank you so much for inviting me to jury your latest experimental show.  Last night was a great pleasure and an honor to view and jury this wonderful show.

1.  Best of Show (monetary)
Ruth Tone – "Foundation Patterns"

 

2.  Award of Excellence (monetary)

Laurie Giangregorio – "Ki’xocolatl" 

3.  Award for Most Experimental (monetary)

Sarah Schmerl – "Hiking Companions"

4.  Honorable Mention (monetary)
Deanna Thibault – "Circling Around"

5.  Photography of one artwork (Gift Certificate) 
Bob Luedtke – "Trova Bird" 

6.  Custom Stretching (Gift Certificate)
Francheskaa – "Silver Stream"

Anyone who has been showing for many years understands that jurying is always subjective.  One learns not to be disappointed (too much!) when hearing the results of the winners, or more often, whether or not one even gets their work into a juried show.  I have both been rejected fully and won best of show…with the same work!  (Obviously different exhibitions and jurors).  The viewer brings their world viewpoint to your work.  A juror does too.  If you didn’t get an award…6 out of 70 works were the odds, that by no means makes your work unsuccessful.  It has taken me years, no, decades,  to be able to shrug off “failure”. 
_______________________

The artworks that, to my eye, stood out amongst the rest have some aspects in common.  I thought to describe what it is/was that I search for and am moved by when I am jurying:

Experimental:  This is the theme of the show, so this played the most pivotal role for jurying.  Is there a freedom of markmaking/brushwork?  Did the artist push themselves with the use of media, either with straightforward watercolor or by mixing other media with watercolor?  Am I surprised and delighted or moved by the use of media?  While the work may have been extremely experimental for you, (for instance, if you are realistic and the work you submitted was abstract), it should also exhibit mastery of the principles of design and composition.  The works I chose for awards all also masterfully incorporated the following:

Masterful Composition:  How the shapes, directional movement, edges, color, difference in scale etc. should be arranged and designed with the viewer’s eye in mind.  What is the focal point?  How is that supported by the elements of design and imagery? I personally like some visual tension within the work.  Consider the rule of thirds when composing:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

Superb and engaging use of color and value:  Color evokes an emotional response.  Even when you are being experimental or non-objective, the use of color should be integrated.  For instance if you used all the colors of the rainbow in the same value, that might not be as powerful as manipulating some of them to be darker or lighter.  Experiment with using three analogous colors and one complementary color.  (blue, blue violet, yellow green and red) or (pink, yellow orange, red and blue).  Learn about the power of color, take a color course; try one small composition of shapes (photocopy a black and white line drawing of shapes) and try painting it five different times with different color combinations.  Try the same thing with varied values.
Some simple web searches yielded the following interesting links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_theory
http://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory
http://www.easy-oil-painting-techniques.org/color-psychology.html

Content:  You might think that a work has to have recognizable elements to have content, but scale of the image, visual movement within the work, emotive color, tantalizing pattern and energetic line quality all evoke mood.  Poetic sensation is directed by what is incorporated into the work, both consciously and unconsciously.  The painter Josh Goldberg is one of my best friends.  I am always viscerally moved when standing in front of one of his exquisite works.  I am not an abstract painter, but of course can be moved to tears by abstract works that somehow turn on a switch within me.
Visit the website of Josh Goldberg to view his work and read his thought provoking writings.
And another site that looked interesting to me:
https://www.boundless.com/art-history/thinking-and-talking-about-art/content/representational-abstract-and-nonrepresentational-art/

Mark of Hand:  Is there a conversation between the creator and the created?  What that means is, has the artist deftly left some “accidents” of media un-reworked to maintain freshness?

Lost and found edges: consider the freedom of brushwork and how edge and lack of edge can create a sense of spatial depth.
I love the freedom in the work of Charles Reid.  Here is his take on lost and found edges:  http://www.artistsnetwork.com/articles/art-demos-techniques/wc-reid-edges
There is a pdf you can download with further information.
New Zealand watercolor artist Susan Harrison-Tustain demonstrates her watercolor techniques of lost and found edges:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK9iGu_TRak
http://faso.com/fineartviews/38069/defining-hard-soft-and-lost-edges-in-your-paintings

Presentation:  The way the work is presented has to considered with the utmost care.  Does the framing support the artwork?  the frame should not overpower the work, rather it should serve to emphasize the work, pull the viewer’s eye into the painting.  Truthfully, we should hardly notice the framing:  it is the back up singer, singing in perfect harmony with the art and supporting the lead singer.  Is the presentation a bit shoddy?  Even if there is no frame, how it is suspended, mounted, positioned on a base should be clean and simple and elegant.

Professional photography:  I am adding this, but please note that as this was a local member show, photographs were not necessary or required.  It is vital that the work be photographed with finesse:  correct color and light balance, in focus and all extraneous surrounding environs totally cropped out.  Don't crop the work itself, if possible, especially if edges are important.  Always document the work before framing, especially if under glass.  No reflections and no hot spots. Remember that computer monitors vary in how color is viewed. Your job is to make the photo look just like the artwork. Take the photo with a gray card to achieve accurate color and value. "Hire up"- find someone who can shoot the works for you, if this is beyond your capabilities.  Note:  This show was not juried based on photography, I am just fortunate that there were images available for this blog.  A quick web search brought up this informative and helpful site about photographing artwork.

Fully Integrated:  When all of the above is working seamlessly in tandem, the work shines. 

________________________



One suggestion I have to SAWG is to include a few honorable mention awards amongst your very generous financial awards.  These can be non-monetary and could be offered to the juror to give out at their discretion…perhaps 3-5…ok I am giving six!  It was incredibly challenging to choose the awards…I belabored over my decisions…Not enough ways to acknowledge them.

Juror's Honorable Mentions:  I’ve woken up this morning, thinking about the show I juried last night, remembering particular works that didn’t receive one of the six awards.  So I am going to take the liberty to dole out six honorable mentions, if I may do so:

Frani Bopp – "Out There"

Sandy Brittain – "Dream Coat"

Mary Bubla – "Searching for Dinner"

Margret Erath – "Judgement Seat"

Terri Gay – "Ick-Ack-Ock"

Sue Ritz - "Tribute"

Go See the Show!
SAWG Gallery
5605 E River Road #131
Experimental Show
April 8 to May 4
Open Daily 11 to 4 – Closed on Monday
www.southernazwatercolorguild.com

Authentic Visual Voices: A Journey

After two and a half years of research, writing, interviewing and editing, I am truly excited to announce the completion of my book, Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper and Encaustic.  Deeply committed to the use of these two media in my own artwork for decades, I was and am inspired by how many artists had begun to integrate paper with encaustic. 

Artists who started with paper were discovering the wonderful qualities of wax and encaustic and vice versa, artists painting with encaustic were exploring paper as a surface.   For those artists new to the encaustic medium, it is important to note that even up to only 3 or 4 years ago, it was deemed “mandatory” to paint onto absorbent, hard substrates such as wood.  Paper was never touted as a suitable surface on which to paint encaustic.  Today, working with encaustics on the thinnest gossamer handmade Japanese sheet to a rigid cast paper sculpture is commonplace.

Both media have experienced a renaissance of artistic interest:  the exploration of hand papermaking and subsequent use of paper as an artistic media saw its popular renaissance in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.  Contemporary interest in paper was sparked by the research and work of Dard Hunter (1883-1966), who, making handmade paper as early as 1913 as part of the Arts and Crafts movement, also traveled the world to document the disappearing 2000 year old craft in over twenty published books on the subject, as well as by the studio experimentation of Douglass Morse Howell, (1906-1994) one of the first to experiment with paper pulp and paper as art media in the ‘40s and ‘50s, and who subsequently taught many talented artists who went on to teach others.  The act of creating with paper today is fully accepted in its own right. 

Encaustic’s renaissance within the art world is relatively more recent.  Certainly, encaustic has historical precedence that dates back before the Fayum mummy portraits of Egypt, with artist pioneers using encaustic during the last century as well,  but the increase in interest in painting with pigmented molten wax has occurred more during the last thirty years.

Calling it “cross-pollination”, I was keen on introducing these two media worlds to each other.  I did lots of research to discover the artists who’d been exploring the integration of paper and encaustic for many years on their own, developing techniques and methods that corresponded to their needs.  Compiling a database of international artists (created initially with my colleague, artist Haley Nagy), I realized that the real story lay in understanding the artists.  Not the how behind the media, but the whys behind the choices artists make to express ideas. 

To my curatorial eye and aesthetics,  a number of artists deeply intrigued me and I decided to pursue traveling to their studios to talk directly with them.  With the help of generous donations to my fundraiser through USA Artists Projects, I went on the road with video camera in hand.  I documented my visits though journaling, photography and video.  I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to finally publish the results of my research.   It has truly been an amazing journey, one that I invite you to share with me.

Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper and Encaustic is a survey of international artists whose work explores the diversity of paper combined with the unique properties of encaustic wax in collage, photography, printmaking, sculptural paper and artists books.  This unique book on DVD offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into the artistic process.  

Twenty-eight professional artists in their own voices discussed their artwork with me during in-the-studio video interviews.  Our focus was on where their creative inspiration emanates from and how they as artists synthesize experience, emotions and concerns into their work.

Each of the 28 international artists were asked to create a new work in front of the camera and complete it for inclusion in this book.  The content-rich, image-filled portfolio pages of these artists are followed by another gallery of compelling works and ideas by 102 international artists - a total of over 380 color images and almost five hours of edited video (29 ten minute video interviews).

Emphasizing the voice of the artist, Authentic Visual Voices is a brand new, computer interactive book on DVD that artists and art lovers in particular will find captivating as they gain a deeper understanding into the motivation of these engaging and powerful artists.

Computer Applications required to read/view Authentic Visual Voices

These DVDs on not playable on a TV monitor but are intended for use in computers only.

Viewers will need Adobe Reader  to read it (the book is burned onto two DVDs and is a large pdf with embedded videos in 5 parts) as well as Flash Player   to view the videos (the application needed to watch videos on Youtube for instance). These are free applications for both Macs and PCs.  There are eventual plans for the book to be available as a download.

TO BUY THE BOOK ON DVD: 
go to www.authenticvisualvoices.com

Some feedback from readers:

“...the production quality is wonderful and you ask the BEST questions!!!! You did a great job...I am really enjoying watching the videos.  Everyone should buy a copy!!!"

"I can read books about artists and also read what they say about themselves, but the interviews are a real treasure. To actually hear what they say-- often the kinds of words I'd like to mouth--is another dimension. And the format of the printed portion followed by the video is to me unique and so enhancing. I'm going through it slowly to really absorb. Thank you."

"I am enjoying this DVD so much! It's an artistic and spiritual feast! I take it in small doses, savoring each interview, which I seem to like to view first. Then I am more attentive to the written words. And I have a deeper understanding of the work itself going back to the visuals.  I'm recommending it to both encaustic artists and artists working in other media.  Such food for my soul.  Thank you for this gift."

“Authentic Visual Voices is a MASTERPIECE... I don't want it to end. I will spend the summer learning and learning. Brava Brava Brava!”

"By listening to the questions you had been asking each artist and how they responded, I suddenly understood what it meant to be an artist. I realized that each of them had the need to express in a visual format whatever it was that was important to them. It didn't matter if they needed to show their fascination with astronomy, or make a political statement, or show support for a social issue. The passion was there. It was so simple. I don't know why it had taken me that long to realize that. But it was your interviews that brought it all to light for me.
I realized I had the passion that other "real artists" were describing. It was such a beautiful feeling, but such an emotional moment for me. I will never forget how I felt. And it happened because I was listening to your interviews. I watched the rest of them over the next two days, feeling a new kinship with each artist....the excitement, inspiration and motivation that [was] generated in me allowed me to look deeper into myself and make a wonderful discovery, for which I am most grateful."

Follow and love~

I should be getting the duped DVDs of Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper and Encaustic back early next week.  It is all coming to the crescendo of a two and a half year journey~

New web site will launch and copies can be purchased...in just days!

Follow the journey on and on Pinterest and  Facebook 

(FB is the only place as yet, where you can view the full list of included artists)!

See you there!

Authentic Visual Voices nears publication!

 

Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper and Encaustic offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into the artistic process: 28 professional artists in their own voices discuss their artwork with artist/author Catherine Nash during in-the-studio video interviews which focus on where creative inspiration comes from and how artists synthesize experience, emotions and concerns into their work.

The content-rich, image-filled portfolio pages of these artists are followed by another gallery of compelling works and ideas by 101 international artists.  Emphasizing the voice of the artist, Authentic Visual Voices is a brand new, computer interactive book on DVD that artists and art lovers in particular will find captivating as they gain a deeper understanding into the motivation of these engaging and powerful artists.

Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper and Encaustic as a book on DVD will be available in late May!

Progress!! Authentic Visual Voices nearing completion

Mauricio Toussaint of Guadalajara, Mexico as we conducted our skype interview

Click on to see full view - Final Cut Express timeline of Alexandre Masino's edited interview

Alexandre Masino working in his Longeuil, Montréal studio in Canada

Click on to see full view - Cynthia Winika's edited timeline of her interview in New Paltz NY~

Deborah Kapoor in her Seattle WA studio

Cynthia Winika's artist book entitled Firecracker...I filmed her exploding fireworks on paper!

Kapoor working with encaustic on amate

My dear donors and supporters and those who have an interest in my book project, 

Things are a happenin'!

It has been way too long to have not heard an update from me!  Please forgive my silence...it actually means that I have been working really hard on everything.  Just yesterday I completed editing the final video interview sequence of 28 artists.  #28 of 28!! Five+ hours of edited footage in 29 10 minute sequences...no mean task~ It has been a true joy and great fun to do so...I got to relive my day(s) with each artist.   I have consistently worked on this amazing compilation of interviews and the content of my e-book Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper and Encaustic.  Still left to do is for me to edit one final short sequence as an intro (all footage taken) as well as organize the gallery section.  I really felt I needed to complete the portfolio pages and edited interviews before making final organizational decisions on the gallery section as of course, it needs to support the first part of the book. 

My book designer is leaving for a 5 week trip on Mar 30th and all will be finalized and checked before then.  The month of April will be spent duping the DVDs of our e-book etc.  They will be complete sometime in May.  These DVDs are not meant to play in a DVD player, but within your computer.  Nothing will be up "in the internet cloud", or available as a download.  We decided it was imperative to make a self contained product.

News about the forward:  So much has changed over the two years (!) that I have devoted to this project when the focus was media driven. 

As I did more and more work on it, I realized that the true story was creative idea...where do artists find their inspiration?  How do artists develop their focus over the course of life?  Therefore the change of title.  Originally of course I was calling it Contemporary Paper and Encaustic and certainly the chosen artists integrate these media (and use other media as well) but with the shift in focus as the stories unfolded, my title is now Authentic Visual Voices:  Contemporary Paper and Encaustic.   For now I am keeping the subtitle since so much promotion has been done with it.

The writer of the other forward, Joanne Mattera, recently very amicably backed out of the project in early January [she is incredibly busy on every level], but got me in touch with an art critic, Shawn Hill who will write about those very questions listed above.  So Shawn will write the only forward.  I am really thrilled with how this has transpired as the focus has changed so much.  Shawn has all the content of the book in his hand except for the final three skyped artist interviews, but those are being sent to him tomorrow by priority mail.

Moving along!  Warmest regards and sincere and deepest gratitude,

Catherine

Catherine Nash
Tucson, AZ

Catalog of my work available~ (Limited Edition :-)

8"x6" Pocket Landscape Softcover Photo Book, 45 pages....

I just had fun compiling a little catalog of my recent work a few months ago.   And it is available for sale...for $30 (incl. shipping...just a tad more for int'l destinations).  Payments can be made via Paypal to the address below.

Sample pages:

 Contact me at cnash at wvcnet dot com!!  Thanks so much~ 

Authentic Visual Voices™...book in progress!

Artist Russell Thurston, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Photo by Catherine Nash

.  

Upcoming Book:

AUTHENTIC VISUAL VOICES™:  Contemporary Paper and Encaustic is a book that Catherine Nash has been curating and writing for two years.  Traveling across the United States, she has conducted videotaped interviews in the studios of 28 international artists.  Media was used only as a parameter for narrowing the field.  While the reasons for choosing particular media is discussed, the book's true focus is about where artists' inspiration comes from and how they find their ideas.  The interviews are edited and being compiled along with rich portfolio pages of each of the interviewees.  Also included will be a gallery of international artists represented by one work each.

Russell Thurston, Fathom #2, 2009.
Encaustic, dry pigments, oil and aspen leaves and tar mastic on rag paper.
50”h x 38”w
photo by the artist

Here is a peak at what I've been writing...

Russell Thurston
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Russell Thurston, Midnight Bloom, 2011    
Encaustic and oil on rag paper.
41 x 41 in.
photo by the artist

The home and studio of artist Russell Thurston is in the piñon and juniper studded hills in southeastern Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Through his studio windows, one can see out into the Rio Grande valley to the south. These vast scenic stretches are fodder for Thurston’s creative ideas.  He is quick to explain that he is not trying to depict nature realistically, but seeks to imbue his artworks with the expansive and intuitive connections he experiences while out in the surrounding wilderness. Thurston celebrates the mystery and wonder of growth in works such as Midnight Bloom and Tiger Eye.  These paintings’ use of pattern, repetitive forms and rich color speak to the beauty of the interior of flowers with their petals, pistils and stamen. They are seductively instilled with an enigmatic atmosphere that incites a meditative state of mind.   

Russell’s love of nature lives side by side with a deep appreciation of science and a thirst for “understanding the whys and hows of things”.  In his art he contrasts, or rather, integrates nature and technology by juxtaposing organic and inorganic forms. For instance, in Down to the Well, an intricate system of pipes and machinery dependently pull energy from an imaginary field and sky.  The atmospheric landscape is painterly and organic, filled with shapes that speak to cells or microscopic organisms.  In contrast, the machine-like labyrinth of technological ducts and piping is hard edged and mechanical.  The machine is created of finely cut tissue paper that has been painted in gradations of encaustic paint and burnished down into the surface. 

Thurston’s art offers us a way to contemplate the subtleties of the intersection between scientific systems, technology and nature in our modern world.  Our understanding of the interconnectedness of the environment and humanity continues to evolve not only through the insights of scientists, environmentalists and writers but also through visionary contemporary artists such as Russell Thurston. 
 
 - Catherine Nash

Russell Thurston,   Down to the Well,   2011      
Encaustic, oil, tissue paper & shellac on rag paper.
31” x 45"
photo by the artist

Process of writing a book...Contemporary Paper and Encaustic

Artist Mona Waterhouse in her studio in Peachtree City, Georgia  (Photo by Catherine Nash)

It seems that I am writing my book, Contemporary Paper and Encaustic, in a most unconventional way.  Through my preparation for my one on one time with each of the 28 interviewees, I do intense research beyond what they have sent me and on their personal websites, uncovering information and images 10 pages back in Google, searching in a variety of ways that includes reviews of their most recent exhibitions and mentions in varied articles and blogs. Then I compose a series of questions specific to them.  It takes me from 3-6 hours of research per artist.

The artists I have curated to interview have all conferred on what I intend on asking....and rarely do we need to adjust the questions although sometimes we think on our feet, so to speak, when in front of the camera...the interview is truly collaborative, creating the sets (at least 4 or 5 per interview) with lighting and their supporting artwork.  I make sure that they feel they have stated and covered all information that would reflect themselves in the manner they'd like to be "seen" at this moment in time before we are finished. 

Artist Michael Marshall in his Athens, Georgia studio (Photo by Catherine Nash)

Artist Lynn Sures in her Silver Spring, Maryland studio (Photo by Catherine Nash)

I just completed interview #16 or 28 with my trip to the Southern states Feb 14-28.  I'll complete 9 more on my next trip March 23 -April 11 to artists in NY, NJ, CT, ME and Montreal, Canada, with a final 3 interviews by skype in early May~

Because their interview is in lieu of writing, once the 28 interviews are all edited (I anticipate extreme editing focus this summer), the layout of this "portfolio" section should be relatively easy.  Of course, there still remains the job of organizing the 90 or so artists represented by one work each in the "gallery" section and indeed I will do some comprehensive writing to tie them together by content.
 

Artist Dennis O'Neil at Hand Print Workshop International in Alexandra, Virginia (Photo by Catherine Nash)

While some would find my schedule harrowing, I am deriving intense pleasure and fulfillment from it...learning so much.  Making connections with people/media/ideas.  Total kick!   I am not worried about when the book (i.e. the product) will be done but I do have a new goal to have it published by September in time for a joint conference by The Friends of Dard Hunter and the International Assoc. of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists...

Artist Georgia Deal in her studio in University Park, MD (Photo by Catherine Nash)

Artist Jessica Drenk in her Clemson, SC studio (Photo by Catherine Nash)

I am so very grateful for the great success of my fundraising last Nov/Dec.  It has enabled me to pay for the expenses incurred in conducting these cross country interviews and more publishing related expenses. Working consistently on my book, I also must teach and earn money full time to pay my personal bills.  So I am not rushing this book writing... If I can't derive intense pleasure from the process, there is no point in undertaking a project at all.   I took a big leap of faith and am trusting that all will somehow fall into place with this huge idea I had....  My ultimate goal is to translate all that I am learning and absorbing and getting inspired from into a publication that will offer a unique perspective on artists and their ideas and process...written by an artist in the trenches herself~

Interview with artist Christel Dillbohner and...Still climbing to my higher financial goal

Christel Dillbohner,  The Black Pool,   2011

489 industrial filters made from pigment and wax, 5 encaustic painted panels.
photo courtesy of the Don Soker Gallery, San Francisco, CA 

106%!! Fantastic! A major milestone...and due to your generosity! Thank you.

With just four days to go in my fundraiser, I am still striving towards 130% which would see me truly and fully funded and able to realize all 28 interviews.

By reaching 100%, I am ensured of receiving all pledges made thus far. That was my minimum goal. I am now striving to be fully funded to my higher level of 15K that will enable all 28 interviews to happen as well as be able to hire a book designer to oversee the technology needed to create the embedded videos and help layout the publication...

I am writing you from the home of Christel Dillbohner in Berkeley as I am on the first short leg of interviews that I could afford myself...Christel and I taped her interview yesterday. What an amazing opportunity to spend time with her (we'd never met before), collaborate on our interview shoot, learn of her deeply committed ideas and aesthetics and gain insight into her creative process!

I can see how enriching this whole adventurous project will be. The process of collaboration with each individual artist interviewee will enable the most inspiring of information to emerge.

A conversational approach within the taping turned out just to be a natural extension of our preparatory talk at the table as we planned a sequential approach. Christel and I found that we just got better and better with each take. The questions shifted slightly, the answers got deeper and more to the core of her artistic intentions. What a gift to experience!

Thank you for considering upping your pledge (you can choose artwork on my blogpost below at http://www.papermakingresources.blogspot.com/2011/11/donor-rewards-art-for-your-pledge-usa.html#more

With $2615 more in pledges, I will reach my higher financial goal of $15,240 and my project Contemporary Paper and Encaustic will be fully enabled.

If you can help in any way, I would be most grateful. Pass the word, contact someone you know who would be supportive, choose an artwork for yourself or a gift....Go to http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/project/contemporary_paper_and_encaustic_international_trends and support this

But the bottom line is that I appreciate all of you, my supporters, so very much. Once again, thank you!!

Catherine

Gratitude~ ....0 days to go!!

I am so very grateful for the support that my colleagues have given me by donating art towards my fundraiser Contemporary Paper and Encaustic...touched at their generosity, giving of their creative work toward this very special project.  I thank them, and I thank you for your tax deductible pledge on the USA Artists site.  Go to that link to learn more about it and how to support my project.

You can view offered works in the blog post before this one as well...take a look, make a pledge, grace your walls with superb work and know that you are enabling me to undertake a huge year long effort...walking into the studios of 28 talented international artists across the United States to learn about their ideas and creative processes.

So much to discover and absorb.  I'll give back by videotaping and editing my interviews, and sharing them in a unique publication entitled Contemporary Paper and Encaustic.  But first I have to raise the funds so I can travel there!  The work below is offered by one of the 28 artists I hope to interview:  talented Mona Waterhouse of Peachtree City, GA and Sweden:

Mona Waterhouse of Peachtree City, GA and Sweden

Flow I: size 7"x 5", Medium:  Ink jet print on handmade paper, colored pencil and encaustic, mounted on board

Yours for a pledge of $200

Choose an artwork. (Find them in my previous blog post which I keep updated with all art available.) Make a pledge and then contact me (thru the USA Artists site once your pledge has been processed) with the artist/title of the work you've chosen as a donor perk.

I've grouped these 28 artists into 4 trips...all of which will be completed by April of 2012.
I'll interview 9 artists in the first one,  which will be accomplished before the end of this year:
# 1 trip Oakland > San Francisco > Santa Cruz > Redding > Seattle > Taos > Santa Fe

So exciting!  Please consider supporting my project!  You'll also support the 28 interviewees, master artists who will be included with their inspiring work in the "portfolio" section of Contemporary Paper and Encaustic.

Mona Waterhouse,  Pod VI - Cradle    

Wire, paper, dye, medium and wax.  6 1/2" x 16" x 5"

Yours for a pledge of $550

Thank you so much~  I am so grateful for your support!

12//11 It's a countdown!! 0 days left! Thanks so much for helping support USA Project Contemporary Paper and Encaustic

Contemporary Paper and Encaustic: A Fundraiser!

Fundraiser
*
Contemporary Paper
and Encaustic
an e-book
by Catherine Nash
*
Fundraiser

I am seeking funding 

to help me travel across the U.S. 

to conduct studio visits with 28 international visual artists: 

one-on-one taped interviews with inspiring and dynamic artists 

that will be incorporated into the portfolio section 

of my e-book Contemporary Paper & Encaustic.

For over 30 years, I've been enamored with paper and artist books and for the last 17 have avidly explored encaustic (painting with molten wax).  Contemporary Paper & Encaustic bridges these media worlds by presenting the work and processes of a full range of innovative artists from around the world in an e-publication, a brand new type of teaching tool formatted for use on the computer. 

Please help support my project!

To learn more about the project click this link
To view a portfolio of the 28 int'l artists I'd like to interview, click this link~
To see a step by step photo showcase of how I created the above cast paper sculpture entitled Sky Nest, a new work of mine from 2011, click this link~

A number of artists are offering works in exchange for your pledge.  I've uploaded imagery of their works in the next post.  Here's a link.


Thanks so very much for
your generous support!

Catherine Nash

This is a description from Lynette Haggard's blog:

Contemporary Paper and Encaustic

WHY IS CATHERINE NASH WITH USA PROJECTS? 

Catherine has been selected to participate in a new online community of America’s finest artists called USA Projects. This site was created by United States Artists to expand its mission of investing in America’s finest artists. USA Projects provides a platform for promotion and fundraising for individual artists projects. 


WHAT IS CATHERINE GOING TO CREATE?
She's got a big vision. Her book will be a full 200+ page e-book with "turnable" pages — a brand new type of teaching tool formatted for use on a computer. It will be available both on DVD or online. It will encompass both a gallery section that includes a work each from 90+ international artists as well as a portfolio section that includes a 4 page spread for each of 28 international artists with their embedded video interview within their pages. She plans to focus on how media corroborates with the expression of artists ideas and content.  

To see the artists Catherine plans to include in the portfolio section of her book, click  HERE.

When Contemporary Paper and Encaustic is published in DVD format by the summer of 2012,  it will be sold on Amazon.com as well as Catherine's site.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT HER PROJECT?
Catherine is seeking funding to help her travel across the United States to conduct studio visits and create one-on-one taped interviews with the twenty eight artists.

Her project fundraising has a countdown: If she reaches her goal by December 3rd, the project is a go!  Currently your tax deductible pledge will be matched by USA Projects.  Your credit card will not be charged until the results are in...