Cabin Fever In Alaska

Sunday, December 13, 2009

It's Just Another Sunday in Paradise, not really!

Sunrise 10:10am and sunset 5:34 but the nice thing is the sunrises and the sunsets last for hours and on the coldest winter days they seem to be the prettiest.
Today I awoke at 10:45 a.m. it's strange because I went to bed relatively early 10:00 p.m. and slept like a hibernating bear wrapped in my warm down comforter and my pleasant dreams. It was a shock to realize that I slept soooo0 long. Then I get a rude awakening; I get up brush my teeth and find no water pressure, it's the well again is my guess.
Its 4 degrees out there no wind just cold everywhere. The well business Gelarowski’s is not answering their phones it's Sunday after all we may just have to haul some drinking water and do our bathroom business at the local gas station. That’s better than triple rates anyway. Ah living on a dirt road in Alaska comes with its problems. I guess this is going to cost me my Christmas present this year, damn. I should just go back to bed today.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

A Christmas coupon from Judy!

Christmas time is nigh so don't let this offer go by

offer good until January 1, 2010

20% off all Judy Vars artwork

Firefly

Anchorages Artisian Co-op

419 L. Street * Anchorage, Alaska 99501 * 907 334-9979
Tue-Sat 10a-6p Sun 12-4p

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Sweet Tico Woman

Title: Anita Polanca
Medium: Oil
Size: 16" X 20"
Artist: Judy Vars
Price: unframed 320.00
On our holiday to Costa Rica we went to the copy store in Puerto Imenez and this old woman was out sunning herself in the afternoon. I asked Peter to take a picture of this beautiful old woman. He started a conversation with her and found out that she is 97 her parents came from Spain, after charming her and kissing her little hand she graciously posed for a photograph with a little twinkle in her eyes and a girlish smile. Costa Rica is a “Blue Zone” meaning people are healthier and live longer. This is a painting I wanted to do since our last trip to Costa Rica.
Tico is what the Costa Ricans call themselves translated it means little. I put my friend:
Cappy Will Kitsos on the job to find her name out
Will-Do Services Unltd.
What they won't do Will-do will do...
Will came through her name is Anita Polanca.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

1,000 Days

I'm 20,912 days old today pushing 21,000 days old. Give or take a few days in another 1,000 days from now I'm a sextarian. What can one accomplish in 1,000 days? Be fit walk everyday become the very essence of health, in the art world become a master of my craft and have an art show in a museum or NYC, make $1,000,000or more, become a great Meditatior, learn to speak Spanish fluently, grow my hair to my butt.....

The average life expectancy is 78 years, mine according to a life expectancy calculator is 87.4 while my virtual age is 47.6 (my good habits gave me an extra 10 years). What good is this information anyway? Why the obsession with days and years? Maybe to plan and look ahead is bargaining with fate; no don’t take me now I’ve got other plans? Life is a habit and even when it gets tough most of us keep toughing it out.

My mother she was robbed of old age because of Lew Gerrics disease ALS, my dad smoked and his earlier days drank hard, courting the inevitable day, friends are taken from this life in the prime of their days.
Please don’t think I’m morbid. I’m only telling the truth, if today is all that we have and tomorrow is still a mystery; in the face of reality it seems silly to make plans. Still I busy myself with the mess that is my office trying to organize little details and setting goals therefore giving myself the illusion of control.

Life keeps on lifeing. quote: judy vars

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Babes In Toyland

This is what I've been doing this week helping to paint the set to Babes in Toyland. A first for me, I've always wanted to try. It was fun especially when we got into a rythum. The people in the slideshow in no order is Carmen Summerfield, Nann Potts, Vera and me. The pictures are out of focus sorry.

Monday, November 16, 2009

VALLEY ART ALLIANCE
ART FOR CHRISTMAS SALE
Unique One of A Kind
Christmas Gifts - Artwork, Crafts, Cards and More
Made by Local Artists

The Alaska Gallery
(next to Madd Matters)
101 E. Arctic Ave
Palmer, Alaska
745-6045

Through November and December

Art Makes a Wonderful Gift for Christmas
All the items are reasonably priced and most under $100.00

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Productive Thursday in the Beehive

The other day we painted the backdrop for the Valley Performing Arts upcoming play Babes in Toyland, a very interesting adventure (big headed artist types painting together. Said goodbye to a friend flying to Texas today. Today is the day I go to my artist meeting of VAA this takes place from 11:00 to 1:00 Thursdays at Sopias Kafe Neo on the Palmer Wasilla Hwy, they have good coffee and a Mediterranean menu, we artists gather to discuss art and all things art related. Occasionally politics are discussed and we still manage to get along. Afterward I went to The Alaska Gallery and Madd Matters frame shop to drop off art work for the Christmas show sponsored by Valley Art Alliance. There ran into a friend, we discussed my foot painting and how we were going to paint our dear friend's feet when she died, she took a picture with her cell phone that she still keeps. We Made tentative arrangements for dinner Sunday at my house. Discussed invitation to a baby shower our angel friend's daughter is having for her niece, because her sister and the baby's mother is being deployed to Afghanistan. Good God! the world keeps spinning people come and people go each one of us spinning our own stories and being as productive as possible bouncing of each other like little tops. This beehive painting illustrates my point. I should call it buzzzzzy beez. Is this fascination to the beehive due to my Mormon upbringing?

Beehive Painting
Encaustic Beeswax on 24 4 x 4" Wood Blocks
16" x 24"
525.00
Judy Vars
With all this going on around me I managed to create this cold peaceful painting called Winter Abstraction.

Winter Abstraction
Encaustic
8" x 12"
132.00
Judy Vars

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Saturday Night!

My face looms in the darkness, (not scary at all) the night was clear the milky way visible and the moon was at half mast rising over Denali.

This is a whole lot of female energy! Peter almost bailed them some men showed up. One man told us of an expedition he took with the Discovery channel to Antarctica. He said the mountain tops look like the Grand Tetons and rise from a frozen wilderness where the snow is as hard as diamonds. They were checking the gravitational fields trying to predict when the poles will change.

This is Deb Wessler hosting her house warming party we were all happy to stand around the bond fire and tell stories.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

First Friday in Anchorage

'Yapita' a Fayum Mummy Portrait
encaustic
395.
Judy Vars
Date: Friday November 6, 2009
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Doriola's, 510 West Tudor, #7, Anchorage

ENCAUSTIC ART EXHIBITION at Doriola's. This is a group showing of work by members of the Alaska Chapter of International Encaustic Artists (AK IEA). The show will run for the month of November and opens with a First Friday reception on November 6th, 2009, from 5p until 8p or until they kick us all out. Doriola's is located at 510 West Tudor # 7 between Arctic and C Street (just west of Cattle Company and Applebee's, on the south side of Tudor in the strip mall next to the double Asian restaurants) 907 375 0494. Mon - Fri 5a - 4p, Sat. 6a - 3p, Closed Sundays.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

It's November alright and I'm just rambling...

we stacked 1 cord of wood, put all the lawn furniture away, pulled in the boat and dock and picked up the yard. The forecast is snow but it's a balmy 40 degrees. However the lake has a thin sheet of ice covering it and it's so pretty, it was comical to see a duck come in for a landing and slide in an ungainly way.
I'm curious why the swan couple have not flown South yet they are just sitting on the ice.
With daylight savings time it is suddenly dark earlier it confused Buddy my doggie who took himself to bed at 7:00 p.m. Daylight savings time is a completely stupid idea in Alaska, why can't someone change that!
I got Peter Direct TV for his birthday and am enjoying HBO a little too much but I will get tired of it soon.
The free Peking Opera last night was good except we had to sit through a lesson and a translation that took too long. Somewhere in the parking lot, or on the way in or in the autitorium I lost my cell phone. What a pain in the butt I had to replace it.
Tomorrow is Charmaines birthday she is my sexy Scorpio daughter. I told her I was giving her present to a homeless girl at the annual candelight vigil at the Covenant House for lost and run away children. She loved the idea. Happy Birthday Baby Girl, I Love You!
MoM

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Happy Halloween!

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
Oil Painting
16X20
320.00
Song of the Witches
by William Shakespeare

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Saturday's Inspiration - Children

The Palmer Arts Council www.palmerartscouncil.org "Make I And Take It" event was so much fun this is what the kids made in my assemblage class. Basically I threw my junque on the table with paint, glue, cigar boxes, Altoid tins, hot glue gun, a whole plethora of objects and just said go for it. It was the mess that attracted them I think, plus there was the added bonus of me getting rid of a bunch of junk. They were proud of thier crazy creations and even wanted to put them of e-bay. The parents just said; ok???

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tuesdays Inspiration - FEET

Your Feet

by Pablo_Neruda

When I cannot look at your face

I look at your feet.

Your feet of arched bone,

of your hard little feet.

I know that they support you,

and that your sweet weight

rises upon them.

Your waist and your breasts,

the doubled purple of your nipples,

the sockets of your eyes

that have just flown away,

your wide fruit mouth,

your red tresses,

my little tower.

But I love your feet

only because they walked

upon the earth and upon

the wind and upon the waters,

until they found me.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Raven, Raven Monday or Wax on Wax On

It's been a busy week for me painting on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I worked at the Firefly Gallery last Tuesday and I'll be there again Wednesday the 21st. I've created some spooky Halloween art and other curious artifacts and for the Shamhain also known as Halloween, I am painting a beautiful witch brewing up a love potion. Will post her when she is ready and not until.

Thursday I attended my Valley Art Alliance Meeting and got ready for the workshop the next day.

Last Friday night I gave my Encaustic Demonstration and Mini Workshop it went fairly well there were 11 attendies, everyone had a good time inspire of quite a few technical difficulties: the venue at last minute cancelled, so we held it in a garage, there were space issues, electrical issues, cold issues. Well I learned what to do better next time I hold a workshop. My goal is to have a three day workshop next time with lots of studio space set up for encaustics and really let people get into the medium. I do my part to spread the cult-of-the wax.

Peter's birthday was on Saturday he has a lovely tradition of getting other people something for his birthday I was the benefactor and recieved a big Persian rug the real deal from an estate sale also a little Queen Anne desk that needs restoring I SCORED! From Me and Porter he got Dish TV (I personally hate the idea of paying for the boob toob) but he wanted it. Later Nick, Nicole and G Kids Max and Jackson came over and we had a barbeque, played golf on the WII Fit and ate birthday cake, it was a pretty mellow day.

I joined the International Encaustics Association last week and Sunday went to the 3rd meeting of IEA, we discussed the upcoming encaustic show at Delorias, and I took the hanging job. Sheary talked about the IEA Convention that she just attended in Carmel, CA.
We had show and tell where I showed off my Yapita and Digonees the Flautist (they were amazed) another woman painted a fishing trawler on iron wood from the wreck (very, very cool).
I learned how to make a good transfer without zerox and water that was worth the gas money to get to Anchorage. Kelli sent me more cool raven images but it's bedtime and I must make myself go to sleep.

Today Monday again and I got happy and excited to paint more Ravens and try out my new transfer technique. Here is Raven, Raven Monday

with.......

A Murder of Ravens

Encaustic Transfer

6x6"

Judy Vars

Saturday, October 10, 2009

200 Years Later Poe Gets a Proper Funeral

Quoth the Raven "Nevermore"

Encaustic Painting/Collage

Judy Vars

This one is not yet finished I was given a wonderful large black Gothic baroque style frame it's extravagantly ornate and fits this piece nicely. It needs to be cut down, luckily I am married to a carpenter who as of late has been so good to frame up my artwork. When it's finished I will probably post the painting again.

Tomorrow is Poe's re-funeral, he died in Baltimore, MD at the ripe old age of 40, he was found outside a tavern and taken to a hospital where he died 2 days later. The actual cause of his death is a mystery although the evidence of the influence of alcohol is strongly disputed. His cousin neglected to tell anyone so only 7 people attended his first funeral. Now 200 years later this great fiction writer will get a proper funeral.

A likeness of his body is laying in state in his Amity Street home and will be transported via an antique horse drawn hearse to Westminster Hall. Where the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will be playing speakers will be such notables as Sir Alfred Hitchcock, H.P. Lovecraft, Sir Author Conan Doyle, Monte Maxwell, organist for the United States Naval Academy who will play the 1889 Johnson organ. Since I cannot attend tomorrow yet I also will be there in spirit. I hope this re-funeral gives Edgar a chuckle. RIP (we hope not).

Monday, October 05, 2009

It's October! so it's Ravens, Witches and Poe all month long

Amorous Raven

Encaustic

6" X 6"

60.00

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Encaustic Demo

Encaustic Wax Demonstration and

Mini Workshop

Given byJudy Vars

@Make A Scene1201 Melanie Avenue

Wasilla, AK
October 16th from 4:00 until 7:00
15.00 for class and 20.00 for suppliesTo register contact Kimberly 841-3635 or Make a Scene 373-2698 space is limited so call early
Encaustic wax art is pure organic beeswax and dammar resin. The pigments are high quality cakes of wax made with natural ingredients like oil paints. Encaustic which simply means to burn in. the wax is melted on a hot pallet and applied to the substrate hot, it cools instantly, then each layer is then reheated and the next layer is applied.
Encaustic painting is like nothing else it has a depth and luminosity that other mediums cannot achieve. Because the wax is malleable there are infinite possibilities. Each painting is unique. You will be provided with all the materials to makeyour own one-of-a-kind work of art.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

It's been almost a week since I've written in my blog

but that does not mean I've been idle. When friends leave Alaska they are faced with the problem what to do with all thier trash, ship it, sell it at yard sales and Craigs list or give it all away. This month I was the benefactor of a windfall of painting supplies, Dawn one of my closest friends in Wasilla, left her husband, home and Alaska vowing never to return. The story is a sad tale but all to common couples dig in and refuse to compromise and start to take each other for granted. I've been the divorce route before so I can see the problems from my perspective (men are basically idiots) except mine of course.

She gave me a huge storage cart, folding table, 2 huge 78 x 48 inch canvases, canvas on a huge roll, stretchers, 2 big easels, one smaller french easel, paints, camera, lighting, about $3,000 worth of art books coffee table size, and small what-nots too numerous to mention. I have been sorting this booty for weeks. In the process I have been attempting to organize and get rid of some of my trash. When I moved up here from SaltLakeCity, Utah in 1994 (yes, is the answer to your obvious question) I condensed my and my sons belongings to one palette and what we could loaded into my Mercury Tempo and left it all behind. Upon buying my little cabin in Big Lake, Alaska my neighbors made sure I had everything that I needed. It was tough the first winter but I quickly learned how to survive and forage for my provisions. Now I am blessed with an abundance that we can pass on some to someone else just getting started.

I washed my walls Monday used my new power steamer super cleaner to blast the dirt from every nook and cranny and today had all my carpets steam cleaned. Whew that feels so good to begin to get my life clean and organized. The Flylady http://www.flylady.net/index.asp is of great help, If I could just do everything the fly Lady suggests (but I think she is too bossy) then look out I would be one of those highly effective people that we all admire and envy. Next it's the windows and hubby has a long honey-do-list that he is diligently working on. The snow is on the mountain tops, termination dust we call it, we still need a couple of cords of wood, the gazebo put away, leaves raked, windows winterized etc. Then maby we can cuddle up for a long winters night, but not yet!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The myth of Pandora sounds alot like Eve.

Poor little Pandora the first mortal woman on earth was bestowed with beauty from Aphrodite, Hermes gave her cleverness, Athena taught her how to spin, Apollo taught her how to sing. But Zues also made her mischievous and idle. The Gods gave Pandora a exquisite box as a gift before she came to Earth and she was told never to open this box. By and by Pandora wanted to be good but was so curious she couldn't even sleep at night, finally she took the gold key from her neck and opened the box just to peek inside. Bad move, Old Age, Sickness, Insanity, Pestilence, Vice, Passion, Greed, Crime, Death, Theft, Lies, Jealousy, Famine and all the rest were unleashed upon the world, Hope was at the bottom of the box (so it's not so bad I guess.)

My box gives Pandora a fair chance, it is transparent so you can see the bad spirits inside and it is sealed shut there is no easy way to open it.

Summer is over old man winter is knocking it's going to be a long cold night, burrrrrrrrr.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Busy Yakking, Painting and Getting Inspired

Yesterday I drove to Anchorage to attend the Alaskan chapter meeting of International Encaustic Artists http://www.international-encaustic-artists.org/, Jannan Kitchen gave her experiences at the last conference. I want to go to the next one in Carmel, CA this October 1 - 4th but I did not meet my goal to sell enough art in a month to pay for the trip. Art is an expensive endeavor; the supplies, the marketing, the time spent, the commissions, the fees, the postage and handling. It's no wonder by the time the client buys their masterpiece they pay for it! I listened and took notes if I only remember 10% I am doing pretty good.

Then I stopped by the Firefly http://fireflyartco-op.com/content/ to move my art into the first room it's better real estate in the gallery.
I was invited to a YAKKING circle with some younger artists. I was inspired to paint a beautiful witch with a partial nipple showing. One of the younger women volunteered to let me take some pictures of her, perhaps I can get her to model for me, a real live model would make a much better painting.

Today, put the finishing touches on my wolf for the juried wolf show at the Madd Matters Gallery October 10th. http://www.alaska-gallery.com/ Last night I left the easel with the painting on it outside the sliding door and later walked past and thought a real wolf was staring in, it was scary just like a dream I had, the wolf was at the door and I tried to light a fire in the living room then run and hide but the wolf kept coming and found me hiding in the closet.

My wolf is very realistic.

I am getting ready for my Encaustic Wax Demonstration and mini class at Make a Scene http://web.me.com/joshfryfogle/MaS!_Music_Fest_09/Performance_Hall.html:

Duh they did not put the date and time of the class in the paper.
October 16th from 4 - 7 p.m.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

5 minutes of fun and chaos

In spite of the serene waters the next 5 minutes was anything but serene!

Max and Jackson my grandsons and Nicole my daughter came by today to go fishin, they were doing fine when I told Jackson to cast toward the fallen tree in the lake. I thought the fish might be hiding there, he cast and caught the hook on the branches.

We needed to paddle the boat to get it unhooked. Jackson is a "I'll do it myself " kind of kid and wanted to do the paddling and unhooking. while I was holding his belt loop to keep him from falling overboard we heard this loud plunk and splash behind us.

Max had blithely stepped off the dock into the lake (that is so like him) just as Nicole was catching a fish. She pulled him out as she was reeling in the fish. We paddled back hooked up the boat I ran into the house to get a pair of needle nose plyers as the fish had swallowed the hook. Benson the evil chocolate lab busted out and ran away. It was crazy we were all laughing so hard! Taking pictures almost the whole time.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Another Acquisition For the Museum at Purgatory

This tiny and curious skull was found in the Meadowlakes area of Alaska.
It is not uncommon in this area to find mastodon tusks and bones from the dinosaurs that lived here before the human. Inspite of that this is a truly unique find.
A couple while foraging mushrooms for their soup discovered this most curious little skull, it resembles a tiny ram but says the couple "we are pretty sure rams are not that small."

This small artifact seems as obscure as the jack-alope or the shrunken mummies of Belsharha.
The couple intends to sell this to the Smithsonian or perhaps Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum for a king’s ransom.

But seriously, if anyone knows what this is or has ever seen anything like it, please contact the owner of this blog. All inquiries will be taken seriously.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Save the Beez

Today I was at the Alaska State Fair doing a demo in the Craft House. First I stopped off at the agriculture building and I talked to a young woman beekeeper about her bees and encaustic art and getting raw wax.

It is a romantic notion of mine to have bees. I raise my bees with tender loving care, provide acres of Alaskan wild flowers and clover for my happy bees to pollinate, then I would harvest the sweet golden honey and get pounds and pounds of wax for my art. Did you read “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd? I highly recommend the book or movie.

I asked her opinion of the collapse of the hives and she told me about huge bee farmers in the lower 48 states store them is huge connex trailers and truck them to a huge field where farmer Joe pays him to let the bees pollinate their huge crop fields. We don’t do it here because bees don’t survive the winter here unless they are kept in heated buildings from October till May.
The problem is the pesticides and fertilizers being sprayed on the crops! It seems obvious to a layman like me why there is a huge collapse of bee hives?
They are being poisoned!

I buy organic produce most of the time, recycle my trash, use my own cloth bags for shopping and consoludate my trips to town for fuel savings. It’s small steps for now. In the future I dream of a self sufficient home that does not impact the earth. I and am hopeful that we are going to solve the devastating problems we face from overpopulation, greed, addiction to fossil fuels etc.

I was inspired to make these two pieces of art today in honor of the bees, I invite you do sit down with me for just a few minutes have a hot cup of tea sweetened with honey and simply be grateful for these wonderous little creatures that bring us so much.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Egos Galore or Is it just me?

Recently I've collided some egos in the art world. How do I recognize this? because I am an admitted egotist with an inferiority complex.

Here are some examples; while at an artist meeting a lady introduced herself to me like this, "I'm Michelle and speak with a British accent." OK? it's not like my ears can't pick up uour charming British accent. I pass around my mushroom encaustic painting to the group and got a critique. The lady with the British accent said, "does the painting stand out as a painting? why was it painted in encaustic? Is it because I was just seduced by the medium?" What? Was I just insulted?

The other day another fellow artist and former friend (I broke up with her because she is high maintenance) called me to say that she had something to say that has been vexing her. She said my Virgin Mary with Jesus in her belly is very similar to something she painted over 10 years ago and she accused me of plagiarizing her work. OMG does that mean that all icons are plagiarized? Instead of calling her a crazy itch and hanging up the phone. I sought to reason with her but to no avail her mind was set.

Are there any new ideas really or has everything been done before? Years ago when I did my first assemblage I thought.WOW! I invented a new type of art. After researching a little further I soon discovered Assemblage art is definitely not a new idea.

When I picked up encaustic painting 6 or 7 years ago it was unique and new. Alas it is getting more and more popular, main stream and trendy.

I work hard at being a professional painter and artist; improving my skills and techniques, keeping my eyes and spirit open for inspiration and ideas, always striving to learn new things as they apply to my artistic vision.
I am secure with my artwork and I do not need to copy yours.

BTW most of the hits I get on this blog are people grabbing images of my artwork and photographs.

So I implore you readers, is there anything new under the sun or has it all been done before?
Let me know what you think about the questions of intellectual property, plagiarism and egotistical people, I promise not to take it too personally.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Young At Art or Listen To My Rant

It's still August and it's still all about moa. Are you sick of it yet? I found this nice article about me and my show in the Anchorage Press.

Judy Vars is really an artist who is young at heart. “I have been an artist my whole life, because art to me is like playing and I love to play. Art, like playing, is taking risks, letting my imagination run free, getting outside my comfort zone, learning new things and having fun,” she says in her bio.Vars works in several mediums including oils, acrylics, mixed-media and found-object sculpture. Her current exhibit showcases her work in encaustic art. In order to create encaustic art the artist heats beeswax (sometimes pigment has already been added, other times the artist adds their own pigments) and uses the liquid wax in much the same manner as one uses paint, with brushes and other tools used to manipulate the wax.
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Vars uses the wax to create multi-dimensional works of art, often adding found objects to her pieces. “I love encaustic wax for reasons not entirely definable. To me the medium is mysterious. Layers can be built upon layers and the transparency of some pigments let us look through to what lies partially hidden beneath. It can be molded, carved, heated, pushed, scraped, layered, and collaged into. I manipulate the wax and colors with specific results in mind, but ultimately the encaustic takes its own course and the results are always surprising.”The subject matter of Vars’ works is varied. She creates encaustic wax portraits portraying anyone from ancient Greeks to the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. She also has several pieces portraying ghostly images, spirits, and skeletons.“Wizened and Natal” encaustic wax creations by Judy Vars. Madd Matters Gallery (105 E. Arctic Ave) in Palmer

But today I have been literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown!! Why? because I have been working on my art and doing other fun things with my life lately and I have not had the time to do any housework much office work either! Now all I can see is everything that needs doin; the walls need washing, the cobwebs, the carpets that need cleaned. Because of my packrat tendencies everything has to be sorted through and given away or thrown away. I cleaned my closet the other day and took out two large trash bags of clothes that I will never miss, like my old pin striped (tryin to be like one of the fellas) business suit worn when I sold cars another lifetime ago. .

To add insult to injury we live on a dirt road in Alaska I have never had to contend with so much dust. Plus my doggies, husband, grown kid, grand kids, the squirrels in the attic all do their part to mess up everything and do very little to keep it clean. YIKES ! DON'T JUDGE ME!

Why is it some lady's have it so together? I want a PA, trainer, agent, coach , secretary, web master, butler and a housekeeper.

Any takers? will trade for art. Where's my fluffer!!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Magic Mushrooms

These three sweet magic mushrooms were growing in my yard this morning, they were the perfect subject for my encaustic painting today.

Yep it's Monday and I'm back painting on schedule, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, I paint, paint, paint.

Thursday I network, Friday I could do office work, Saturday clean and run around and Sunday I play, hang out with family and friends and relax.....Sounds like a plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sunday, August 16, 2009

It's August and Still All About Me!

August is my month! my Anniversary is in August, my birthday is August 20th, and my art show is up all month long at the Madd Matters in Palmer.

Here is a video of the reception last Saturday night, my friends, family and some patrons showed up; Thank God I did not have to stand around awkwardly while nobody showed up: Here are some things people wrote about my art;

Enjoyed seeing your work_ very ethereal and thought provoking Gale

WoW Judy! I love your work Very delicious Dawn

I Love your work and keep coming back for another look Molly

I loved your show you are Great! 10+ Guess what I love the fish

Your surfaces are so very rich! Like chocolate cake, I love it...

You are awesome I always like seeing a little piece of how your mind works I liked your Prayer thingy, Enigmas, the trees were were awesome, the scary stuff was pretty scary, the girl alone, Delphic and your Romans pics..you are the bomb!!! Jeannie

Judy, Your work has evolved - still evolving- as you are!! If I can with permission am proud of you_ Beautiful Artist Great Success Love Fran

Fantastic! Follow your style - Maintain 1 interest at a time. You will sell! Wonderful to meet you Susan

Friday, July 31, 2009

Wizened and Natal

What does that mean anyway?
I'm a wise woman a nice crone wizened by life. What a life it's been rich with love, friends, travel, excitement and interesting experiences. My talents are honed and sharpened after much use and experience. Oh Baby! Now I understand the cliché "youth is wasted on the young." Still in spite of my gray hair I remain young at heart anticipating each new day and the chance we’re given to do it over again. Perhaps that’s what Natal means every day is new like a new baby a clean slate, natal, another chance to live this enigma we call life. Or is Natal a place like a state of mind? hummmmmmm

Encaustic Wax Creations
Wizened and Natal
From 6-8
By
Judy Vars

Alaska Gallery @
Madd Matters
105 E. Arctic Avenue
Palmer, Alaska
99645

Meet the Artist Reception
(Second Saturday)
August 8th 2009

Friday, July 17, 2009

Wizened and Natal a Sneek Peek

See an expanded version of this body of work at my upcoming show Wizened and Natal @
The Alaska Gallery 105 E. Artic Avenue, Palmer, Alaska Saturday August 8th
It's only 20 days away.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Yapita

Ypatia

Fayum Mummy Portrait

Encaustic Painting

Judy Vars

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Van Gogh Tree

Encaustic Painting

Judy Vars

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Tonights Image Tuscan Trees

Tuscan Trees

Encaustic Wax Painting

Judy Vars

I've been so busy lately painting it's like a job! only it's a job that I love, love, love. Here is another one of my encaustic paintings. I'm really on a roll and almost don't want to stop and have some fun at the Girdwood Forest Fair this weekend. I will be at the GCVA booth on Friday night and at the gallery Saturday and Sunday. It's the 4th of July and I plan to party Satruday night.

My schedule is getting full this summer with the Garden and Art show at the fairgrounds on the 11th, a mini show in Girdwood from the 15th to 31st, my show at Madd Matters; August 8th Wizened and Natal, (the name is kinda wierd) so lets hope that I make some $$$$$ this summer. btw I have lost 21 pounds.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Diogenes the Flute Player

My interperation of the mysterous Fayum portraits: The Fayum Portraits: Greek and Roman painting style, encaustic on wood, part of the Egyptian culture (funeral portraits).They show the faces of the inhabitants of ancient Egypt at a period influenced by Greeks and Romans. The Fayum portraits are the best preserved paintings of Antiquity. Some of these produced by Greeks who worked in Egypt, part of the Greek population that settled in cities like Alexandria, when Egypt was ruled by Greek kings after the peaceful conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great.
The first one I painted was so gorgeous that I gave him a kiss when on one was looking. Saturday at Art on Fire a teacher from Japan fell in love and took him home.
So I made Diogenes #2. Peter came home and said he looks like a gay guy at a Greek party. Wow, that's soooooo funny I forgot to laugh.
So I ask you dear readers become a critic and tell me which one do you prefer and why, dead Greek guy #1 or dead Greek guy #2? Please respond in my comments and let me know. Diogenes the Flute Player #1 or #2?

Diogenes the Flute Player #1

Diogenes the Flute Player #2

Monday, June 22, 2009

Enigmas for my 500th post.

Enigmas
I walked around as you do, investigating the endless star and in my net during the night I woke up naked, the only thing caught, a fish trapped inside the wind. Pablo Neruda
by
Judy Vars
Encaustic Wax
12 X 12

Sunday, June 21, 2009

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT

My blogger friend Patti from Woodstock tagged me to answer personal questions
Well OK I'll play.

The rules:1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.2. Tag eight other people.

What is your current obsession? My encaustic wax pieces. I have created 9 12 x 12" pieces and am going to make at least 18 to 20 more in 6 weeks.
What is your weirdest obsession? The first thing that comes to mind in my thing about pillows, I need feather pillows but they must be tripple cased and during the night I trade off for the cooler one that I keep against the cold wall. I think its menopause.
What are you wearing today? Black valor pants, black tee shirt, and a black zippered hoodie with red skeletons. Its kind of nippily in Alaska today.
What’s for dinner? Cassaba comes from Costa Rica its fried plantain, pasta dish, meat, rice and beans, salad.
What would you eat for your last meal? Whatever is for dinner.
What’s the last thing you bought? A 19" flat screed LCD Emmerson TV $228.00 yesterday for Fathers Day at Wall Mart.
What are you listening to right now? The U.S. Open Golf it's just background noise, I used to not be able to stand the boring sound of golf on tv but its gotten more interesting since Tiger came along
If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? I would love to be transported to the high mountain top with a view of forever and just sit for an hour with God
Which language do you want to learn? Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic.
What do you love most about where you currently live? My home is too close to a lake but has been grandfathered in so I can keep it, sometimes it feels like I live in a houseboat there is an abundance of wildlife in my backyard. Sometimes I ask myself how I ever got so fortunate.
What style is your current home decorated in? I'll call it Alaskan Eclectic.
If you were a time traveler what era would you live in? The Golden Age.
What is your favorite color? Black because its all the colors.
What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe? It's my Harley Davidson tattoo shirt i bought off my sister Patty.
What were you doing ten years ago? This is an all time first for me because I have been married to the same man for 10 years in August! Ten years ago I was going hot and heavy with my fiance and planning my wedding.
Describe your personal style? I choose to ignore this question.
If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on? Getting my carpets cleaned!!!!
What are you going to do after this? Check out the progress on my encaustic painting boards.
What are your favorite films?Owl and Pussycat, Leaving Normal, Twin Peaks, My Familia, Dune, Batman, Jonny Depp films, I like most things.
What inspires you? Passionate people
What doesn't? Rush Limbaugh
Your favourite books? I don't read alot but I loved The Fountain Head, I read it over to understand it better when I was a teen.
Do you collect anything? and everything.
What makes me follow a blog? Its people I like and would like to know better we have things in common and learn from each other.
What was the most enjoyable thing you did today? Let me give you a hint it's something we should do more of.
And my question? When is the last time you wrote a letter to a loved one?

tagged: Annie, Nicole, Charmaine, Angela, Rose, Yoby,

Sunday, June 14, 2009

St Jude Thaddeus - Hope for the Hopeless

Jude Thaddeus

Saint Jude, Hope of the Hopeless, Pray for me

Oil

20" X 16"

Judy Vars

$500.00

This is St Jude the patron saint of lost causes and also of artists. Saint Jude reminds us to stay optimistic in difficult times.

NOVENA TO ST. JUDE

O Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return, I will make your name known and cause you to be invoked. Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Mary's and Glories. Publication must be promised. St. Jude, pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. This Novena has never been known to fail. This Novena must be said for 9 consecutive days..

Friday, June 12, 2009

Girdwood is my second home

Yesterday I got up early and drove 2 hours to Girdwood http://www.girdwoodchamber.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi and guess what? I was not scheduled to work! So I drove around looking for a place to pitch my tent instead. Girdwood now has No Camping signs all over town because of the partyiers from the last Forest Fair. Rumor is they found a lady floating in the river 2 days after the festival.
I drove to Hope, Alaska which was a 45 minute drive. Buddy and I went for a 5 mile hike on a beautiful trail in Hope on the other side of the Cook inlet. There was a sweet little campground for $14.00 a night, but I hate to pay to pitch a tent. It seemed safe with a camp manager but that was a long drive back so after searching I decided to sleep at the gallery in the mini gallery room off to the side. With an air mattress, sleeping bag and a pillow I'm right at home. Problem is there was a big controversey about my sleeping at the gallery last year. Some said; whats the big deal, and others said; it's inappropriate and not covered under their insurance. So I snuck in after 10:00p.m. and got up at 6:00a.m. packed up my gear and went for a walk until opening time. Still I will probably hear about it. While on my walk to the coffee shop I spied a big black bear about 150 yards from me in a residentual neighborhood. Finally after all my walks I finally saw a bear.
I am at the laundormat this computer and internet access is costing me .15 per minute and some register sign keeps popping up and robbing me of time because I cannot type when it is on and guess what there is no one to complain to, gurrrr.

In the gallery there are people from everywhere, Buddy the schnauzer is my greeter, he puts everyone in a good mood. I wanted to talk a little about selling art. In the past I sold cars and I was good at it always the number 1 or 2 salesman, I made a good living for many years. I came to Alaska to live my dream and become the artist I always wanted to be. I am fortunate to have realized that dream. Problem is when it comes to selling my own art, I am not that aggressive sales person that I used to be. It's perhaps so much of my self is tied up in what I create, which is just silly, yes I created it but it isn't me.

There are 4 steps to the sale; the greeting, the permission phase, the objection phase, this is where it gets dicey, they say things like; it costs too much, I don't have anymore room for stuff, there is no room in my luggage are common objections. This is where I fall down I assume they are just lookey lews and do not really want to buy. My job tomorrow is to get to the bottom of their objections try to answer their concerns. The final step is to ask for the sale! Hey whats the worst that can happen? If I have done the first three steps the ABCs then asking how would you like to pay for this, or so would you like to take this home today, or it would make a wonderful gift for your mother-in-law, do you need a box, or how would you like this shipped? It should be a no brainer.
Oh look .47 cents or 3 minutes left and I'm all done.