I’m really fortunate to live in a community that supports and encourages the Arts; Arts with a capital A as I’m not just talking about painting.  I applied earlier this year to the GCAC – Greater Columbus Arts Council – for a materials grant: $500 worth of Gatorboard so I can make larger encaustic pieces.  Gatorboard is a special foam board with a harder, water-resistant outer surface. Many of former CCAD* President Denny Griffith’s encaustics are on Gatorboard. I’ve been studying a new shellac-burn technique (left & center pictures below) and it will be amazing to try them at a larger scale without straining my body to lift and turn the support and they will be ready for my October show at Dick Blick’s in the Short North, when I will be their “Artist of the Month”.

GCAC not only gives material grants, they also give professional development grants.  I’ll be taking an advanced oil and cold wax workshop later this year (right picture below).  You can learn more about the Greater Columbus Arts Council and see Denny Griffith’s work by clicking on the links.

* Columbus College of Art & Design