Hello everyone!

Been working it in Studio 8! Fresh off the easel is 'Keep it Clean'. This was a fun piece to work on, difficult with all the varing layers of white...but fun. Let me know what you think!

I have also continued to work in and explore encautic painting. I am quite pleased with this peice, which I am calling 'Divided Tempers.' I would love your feedback on this one too! I love the spontenaety of encaustic painting, and it is a fun step away from traditional painting, yet there are so many possibilities. My mind is all a-whir with ideas. In this little painting I really wanted to concentrate on capturing and trapping a lot of texture and I used a lot of different kinds of medias throughout the process. So much fun!

I also wanted to let everyone know about a new feature I am trying out on my website...a LIVE CHAT feature. I have called it Cagney's Chat Box. You can now chat with me directly! I am going to try and stay with it during the  weekdays to see how the interest goes. Let me know if you like the feature and the open communication! Go there now and check it out!

Until next time - Rock on!

Heeellllooo out there! Thought I would drop a line and get everyone caught up on what has been going on...which has been lots by the way! I have been spending a lot of quality time at the easel in Studio 8...so here are a few things I have to show for it.

Not a very good picture, but...you will get the idea. Besides, you all know by now that to REALLY see things...you need to drop by Studio 8 and see them in person! I'll work at getting a better picture up for the gallery as this one just won't do. This is "Roman Remains." It is a multi-weight graphite drawing and oil painting done on a piece of 24x24" marble. I just loved working the oil paint and graphite on the marble. It was very tedious as you had to be extremely careful and methodical with the drawing as not to smear anything...kind of intense really...but I loved the sensation and the whole process. It is now complete, and ready for you to come and visit!

This little ditty is called - "Safe at Home." It is an encaustic and mixed media painting on wood panel. I have recently been back at dabbling in the encaustic realm and really enjoying it. So much so...I wonder now why I set it all aside. Perhaps just not in the right frame of mind, but at any rate...I am happy with how this painting turned out. My favorite part about encaustic painting (besides the set-up and process...not to mention the blow torch!) is the touchability of the finished pieces. You can handle them and really enjoy them up close. I enjoyed working on this so much...that I am excited to try some different mixed media ideas that I have!

As this Friday is 2nd Friday - which means that The Artists Upstairs Studio Group will be having our monthly open studio night, I hope those that can, will stop by and see the works in person!

That also means that my monthly radio show will be tomorrow AM - Bright and damn early...and I have a GREAT interview that i did with the Indianapolis Anti-Art School Dr. Sketchy's chapter founder. It is awesome! For those out of the listening area...I will do my best to post the interview on this here blog for you to enjoy.

What's next on the easel you ask? Well...I am still working away at the unfinished series that everyone voted on (don't worry...I'm still doing that too! Haven't forgot) So I am working right now on "Keep it Clean" and "Jump Anatomy." I am also working on some other graphite and painting projects, as well as my encaustic journey. Just not enough hours in the day! Let alone easels for me!

As usual...keep the comments and e-mails a-comin' I LOVE IT!

By the way - Lots of e-mails and inquiries about Sugar...so here is a little Sugar update. She is doing fine...still very skittish and seems to waver between calming down and then freaking the hell out...but, it is that whole patience thing. We went shopping last Saturday for art supplies and she seemed very happy to have a girls shopping day out and did really well...but then proceeded to go back to freak out mode when we got home...so It is a very slow process...but I am still hopeful that she will give up the struggle, learn to trust and enjoy her little life. She sends her very best to everyone though, as I do share your wishes and e-mails with her!

OK...Whew! Until next time...Rock on everybody!