"Quandry" 24"x24" Encaustic by artist Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

This encaustic painting "Quandry" (painted with molten, pigmented beeswax) shows more drips of wax than some of my paintings.  I could have scraped them off but decided to leave them.  Five of my encaustics this size are currently in the lobby of the Artist Repertory Theatre in Portland.  The play showing at the theatre for April and May is "Ten Chimneys", about a 1930's Broadway couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.  My paintings which are at the theatre are of women who seem to represent that time period. One of them is named "Vera", after my mother.    -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel 

Encaustic Series of twelve 12"x6" unframed Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

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Usually I frame my encaustic paintings but I've been asked to paint some on deep cradle boards which is what I've done in this series (3 of 12). These are small in size, 12"x6".  All are painted in the pure encaustic process with layers of molten, pigmented beeswax, each layer fused to previous layers with a propane torch.
-Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Large encaustic impressionistic figurative by artist Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

My latest 24"x24" encaustic (painted with molten, pigmented beeswax) is entitled, "Vera", which was my mother's name, although my daddy always called her Nancy.  I have a photo of my mother when her hair was wavy like this. There are over 25 layers of wax in this painting, each layer fused to the underneath layers with a propane torch.  I dedicate this painting to my dear mother. -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic Still Life and Figurative

Donated to Cascade Aids Project 2013 Auction
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I posted this 24"x24" framed Encaustic a couple of months ago but I've continued to feel it lacked a focal point so this week I made changes to it and I'm more satisfied with it now.

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"Her First Tattoo" is a new 16"x12" Encaustic, unframed on cradle board.  It will be in a show about Portland, Oregon, and a tattoo felt right to me.  Both of these art pieces are painted with  layers of molten, pigmented beeswax, with each layer of new wax fused to the underneath layers with a propane torch.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Breezy" 12"x12" figurative encaustic Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Breezy"  is painted from my imagination, and is an example of why I paint and draw often from the live model.  When painting with molten, pigmented beeswax (encaustic) such as this painting, each time I add new wax I fuse it into the underneath layers with a propane torch, therefore the hot wax is moving about much of the time. Suddenly a figure's hand might be where the elbow should be. With knowledge of the live figure in my mind, using the propane torch I can move the wax back into credible positions when necessary.  This 12"x12" encaustic painting is in a wide gold frame.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Small Figurative Encaustic molten beeswax - Janet Amundson Splidsboel

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"Her Cup of Tea" is a 6"x6" encaustic painting, framed, and available for $195.  The past two weekends my studio was open as part of the Portland Open Studios event with 100 juried artists throughout east and west Portland opening their studios to the public.  I demonstrated my encaustic method (painting with layers of molten, pigmented wax; no photocopy or collage) for those 4 days and was able to nearly complete ten 8"x8" paintings which will be available in the Big 300 show on the 3rd floor of Pioneer Mall in downtown Portland in December. I'll also have encaustic paintings in Guardino Gallery's "Little Things" show in December, and the New Brow of Portland show at the Portland Center of Performing Arts in November and December.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic Figurative "Heather" 12x12 Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

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"Heather" gave me the opportunity to paint skin with molten beeswax (encaustic painting).  I keep many of my live model figure sketches and sometimes look through them for inspiration for paintings, which is what I did in this case.  There is only a slight resemblance to my original drawing but it is the pose that got me started and then I used my imagination from that point on.  This is a 12"x12" encaustic painting on board, framed in a wide classic gold frame.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic Floral Still Life Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

I don't paint flowers often but it is a nice break from figurative work.  This 24"x24" encaustic still life (painted with molten, pigmented beeswax) has a finish that looks like polished tile.  I left some of the drips of melted wax throughout the painting.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Genevieve" 24"x24" Encaustic Figurative -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

My daughter Erica posed for this painting, "Genevieve", a 24"x24" encaustic (molten, pigmented beeswax) painting.  The dress and surroundings are from my imagination, and my focus was on developing loose shapes of color with the melted beeswax.  There are about 20 layers of molten wax in this painting.   -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic "Nora" Figurative 24"x24"

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I was away from art for two weeks while on vacation; while away I spent considerable time visualizing what direction I want to go with my encaustic figurative paintings.  When I returned home this week, with excitement I immediately painted this 24"x24" encaustic of a woman from my imagination.  Her name is Nora.  I believe the style shows increased looseness and abstraction of shapes, which is what I visualized while "painting in my mind" those two weeks; can you the viewer see any difference from my earlier paintings?    -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic 12x12 "Nouveau II" Figurative Classic Woman

"Nouveau II" is one of my latest 12"x12" encaustic paintings (18"x18" framed). When I look at my figurative encaustics I often see things I want to change, but I know that every time I go over the beeswax with the propane torch, changes could also occur which I don't want.  With that risk in mind, if the flaws aren't fatal then I remain satisfied and I look ahead to my next painting.   -Janet Amundson Splidsboel  SOLD

Encaustic Figurative Art Noveau Influence Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

10"x10" Encaustic painting in a frame that demanded something slightly different so I did a very loose painting with bright color.  This is painted with molten, pigmented beeswax.  As I work, each layer of wax is fused to the underneath layers with a propane torch.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel   SOLD

Mother Child Series 12"x12" #3 Encaustic figurative Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

This is the last in my 12"x12" encaustic series of women and children, at least for the time being.  There are many layers of wax in this painting; each new layer is fused to the underneath layers with a propane torch.  This series of 3, along with 10 other of my encaustic paintings, will be on display at the Lake Area Artist show at Lakewood Center in Lake Oswego, April 27, 28, and 29.  Forty artists belong to Lake Area Artists and most will be participating in this upcoming show. -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel   SOLD

Mother Child Series 12"x12" Encaustic figurative Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

This 12"x12" encaustic painting is one of 3 in a series of Mother and Child.  Viewers still ask me if my work is a painting with wax put on top of it.  I explain that no, it isn't.  The painting is done entirely with layers of molten, pigmented waxes, with each new layer fused into the underneath layers of wax with a propane torch.  There is no photocopy or collage in my paintings.  With regard to this theme, I don't want sugary sweet but people seem drawn to the mother and child and so am I.  I would appreciate your thoughts (in my last blog post, people's comments were rejected, but I believe and hope that problem has been remedied.)   -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Mother's Child" 12"x12" Encaustic painting (molten pigmented beeswax) by Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

I'm doing a series of encaustic paintings of women and children.  It is subject matter that has been painted by thousands, yet as a subject it remains timeless and universal.  Many themes in art are endlessly repeated, like trees and seashores and paths and pears and winding rivers; the challenge is to evoke an emotional response no matter how often the subject is painted. What are your thoughts?  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic Demo Large Figurative Encaustic

This is the current 36"x24" encaustic painting I am working on. The propane torch is the main tool I use to fuse each new layer of pigmented beeswax to the underneath layer.  The molten, pigmented beeswax is applied with bristle paintbrushes, followed by the fusing of the wax with the torch.  At this stage the painting is about 50% completed and has some 15 layers of wax.   -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Vertical Encaustic Still Life Gold Frame, Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Donated to Cascade Aids Project Auction

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Still life and floral paintings are experimental for me.  This encaustic painting is 24"x12" (unframed).  I intentionally chose a new subject matter, since I usually paint the figure and sometimes landscape, but almost never still life.  

On another subject, thank you Katherine van Schoonhoven for passing to me the Liebster Blog Award which originated in Germany and recognizes bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  Katherine is an artist, writer, and musician, see her blog at www.katherine-artandmusic.blogspot.com.  Thanks for the honor, Katherine.     -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Until You Know Rose" 30"x30" Encaustic Portrait-Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

This is an example of thinking a painting was done and then a few days later realizing I simply had to make changes to it.  This is the final 30"x30" encaustic painting and now I accept it as completed.  This is Rose, and the painting is still entitled, "Until You Know Rose."   The melting wax under the propane torch makes facial features a special challenge.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Large 36"x24" Encaustic Figurative Painting, Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Accepted into Emerald Art Center National Spring Exhibition May 2012, Springfield, OR

"Each Afternoon" is a 36"x24" encaustic painting.  I'm working large to be ready for upcoming venues where larger encaustic works are needed.  There is a lot of beeswax in a painting of this size, and approximately 25-30 layers of molten, pigmented beeswax. I will  appreciate your comments on this one, since it is the largest figurative encaustic I have painted to date.   -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Encaustic Figurative Painting, artist Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Ruby" is a 12"x12" encaustic painting.  This is the last painting I'll do for a while of women with arms raised.  I plan to keep Ruby for some time since she makes me feel happy.  Isn't it funny how subjective art is?  Today I submitted 3 paintings to a show and Ruby was one of them, but out of the 3 paintings the other 2 were selected and Ruby was not, even though she was my favorite of the three.  She had a different title, so now that I have her back I've named her Ruby.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Expectation", Young woman painted in encaustic

"Expectation" is a 7"x5" encaustic painting, painted with molten, pigmented beeswax. Today, 9/11, has painful memories for many; I like thinking about new life and hope, so I enjoy this painting of "Expectation."  I've been asked by several to include prices on my posts so I'll do that from time to time on smaller pieces such as this one. This painting is $175 including the frame, plus shipping and handling $10.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

Landscape Encaustics 12"x12" Framed

This is a new series of 2 Encaustic (molten, pigmented beeswax) contemporary landscape paintings.  Each is 12"x12" unframed, and 18"x18" framed. These 2 paintings are on display at the Oregon Society of Artists during this month of September 2011. -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

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Figurative Plein Air

Jennifer is a favorite model.  I painted this 30"x15" oil painting of her yesterday in an outdoor garden setting.  Another painting I did this week of a different model, in the same style as this painting, is posted on my Facebook page.  -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

2011 City of Hillsboro Plein Air Event

The City of Hillsboro Plein Air Event ended today with a reception and award ceremony at the Walters Cultural Arts Center.  My oil painting won 2nd Place in the Landscape division; it was painted at Jackson Bottom Wetlands.  It was a good event and weather conditions were near perfect most of the time.  About 40 artists participated.  Many of us knew each other and I want to thank those who walked by me as I was painting, and offered words of encouragement.  There were 3 painting categories:  Landscape, Cityscape, and a Quick Draw Figurative, and all of the submitted paintings were excellent.  Kitty Wallis, in the photo with me, was the judge.  As many of you know she is a nationally recognized artist and the creator of Wallis art paper. -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel  SOLD

"In the Garden" Figurative Impressionistic Oil Painting Prints Available

                         

In April I was one of 30 artists participating in An Artist a Day event at the Muse Art and Design in Portland, Oregon.  A different artist painted in the front window of the store each day of the month.  In May a reception was held at Milepost 5, and the 30 paintings were auctioned, with 50% of the proceeds donated to benefit Schoolhouse Supplies.

This particular painting was well received; 8"x10" prints are now available for $30 each including shipping (10% of sales is donated to local animal rescue groups.) The print is on luster paper which has a satin finish, and is sprayed with UV blocking spray to prevent fading. This print is vibrant with a wide off-white or white mat under glass in a standard sized 16" x 20" frame.  The print may be purchased below through Paypal. -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel  (original SOLD)

Oil Portrait Live Model

Painting from the live model sharpens an artist's eyesight so I try to do it once or twice a week.  It helps my artistic eye even though portrait painting is not what I primarily do. This is a recent 18"x24" two hour oil portrait I did using Craig Srebnik's limited pallete,  primarily umbers, burnt sienna, Indian red (or similar), black, white, and in this case some cadmium yellow for the model's sweater.  -JAS

Small Figurative Encaustic Series Classic Women

These are the latest 9"x9" encaustic paintings I've completed, fitting these smaller ones in between larger paintings that are in process.  Redheads are clearly one of my favorite subjects to paint. -Janet Amundson Splidsboel

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"Sara" Live Model Figurative Oil Sketch

Sara was our model at last Sunday's Candlelight Wine Cheese Live Model art session at my studio in close-in NE Portland.  This is a 24"x12" oil sketch which I painted of her.  Being an artist herself, Sara instinctively knew how to inspire us with her hairdo, clothing, and pose. If you are interested in more information about these Candlelight sessions, scroll further down in this blog to see a short video of an earlier session.  The Candlelight group meets one Sunday evening a month from 5-8 PM and is open to any artist who signs up early enough to get a spot since the sessions do fill up in advance. -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel

"Rose Bouquet" Contemporary Encaustic Figurative

"Rose Bouquet" is a 12"x24" Encaustic painting.  I painted this encaustic earlier this year.  I've never done much with it, she just hangs on my wall and I look at her often.  People who have seen "Rose Bouquet" don't carry on about it, but I especially like Rose and plan to keep her myself, at least for a while longer.

"All the Fields" Oil Landscape

Spring is around the corner and I am thinking often about plein air painting.  I painted this landscape in anticipation of painting outdoors, hopefully soon.  I'll divide my time between encaustic painting indoors and plein air painting in oil, and divide my subject matter between figurative and landscape.  This oil painting is 24"x42". -Janet Amundson-Splidsboel     SOLD

"Almost Here" Small Classic Encaustic Figurative

This is a 6"x6" encaustic painting, one of a series of eight.  Lately I've been concentrating on much larger wax paintings and when I need a break I like painting one of these smaller pieces. -JAS

2 Hour Live Model Figurative Oil Painting Redhead

Instead of an encaustic painting, for something different this post is a 2 hour 20"x16" oil painting I did during one of the Candlelight Wine Cheese Live Model sessions held at my studio in Portland.  To see a short video of one of these Candlelight sessions scroll down through my posts and you can view a video of one of the sessions.  These live model events are quite fun for the artists who attend.  We paint or draw from the model for 25 minute sessions with 10 minute breaks between.  We bring snacks to share during the breaks while we visit with one another, and we time our sessions and breaks so we stay focused. Candles around the room provide ambiance and our great models provide the inspiration.

"Encaustic Still Life" Floral Oriental Impression

This encaustic still life is 18"x30" framed; it is the first still life I have done painting with molten, pigmented beeswax.  Celeste Bergin of the Portland Plein Air and Studio Painters presented a challenge to artists in the month of January and this painting is my response to  that challenge.  Three photos were given as inspiration: animal; building; and still life.  On February 1, 2011,  all paintings submitted in response to the challenge will be posted,  http://behindthescenes-ppasp.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-challenge-results.html.  My daughter has asked for this painting so it will eventually hang above her piano. -JAS

"Isabel" Encaustic Classic Figurative Woman

"Isabel" is a 12"x12" Encaustic painting, the second in a series of women in similar poses.  This painting is currently hanging at the Oregon Society of Artists in Portland, Oregon, 2185 SW Park Place, Portland, 97205 (on the NE corner of St. Clair & Park Place).  In addition to other paintings I'm working on, my goal for the next month or so is to complete one encaustic painting each week, 12"x12" or larger. -JAS

"Olivia" Oil Figurative Quick Sketch

"Olivia" is a 24"x18" oil painting.  I painted her loosely and quickly from my imagination, which was relaxing to me after working more intensely on encaustic paintings in recent months.  She is colorful and bright, a good mood for beginning a New Year.  She is framed in a wide gold frame and is now for sale at HooDoo Antiques at 122 NW Couch in downtown Portland. Six more of my landscape oil paintings are also on display at that same location. -JAS

"Madella" Large Encaustic Figurative Classic Redhead

"Madella" is a 24"x24" encaustic portrait I completed today.  I am currently trying to convey women who are timeless in appearance.  My current encaustic figurative paintings are larger and include the hands in order to give me practice.  It is a challenge to do the face and hand details in wax using the propane torch and I remain determined. I am doing more encaustics than oil paintings these days, but soon I plan to take a break and do a series of oil paintings.

"Getting Ready" Series #1 Scarlet Encaustic Figurative Classic Woman

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This encaustic painting is 12"x12" plus the frame.  I've been working on a series of women "getting ready".  I don't know what they are getting ready for,  but that doesn't matter.  They are lovely, timeless women.  Scarlet is painted with molten, pigmented beeswax. This painting won a Recognition Award at the 2011 national spring exhibition in Springfield, Oregon. -JAS

Encaustic Face Study

This is a 14"x14" Encaustic with many layers and colors of wax.  I wanted to experiment with many warm and cool colors of wax within a portrait.

Pastel Figurative Live Model Sketch

This is not an oil or encaustic but rather is a 30 minute pastel sketch I did at the Canvas cafe last Monday evening.  The Canvas in northwest Portland has live models each Monday evening from 6-8 PM.  There is one 15 minute and two 30 minute different poses.  All artists are welcome.  It's asked that each person spend $5.00 for food or drink but there is no charge for the model session.

Encaustic Small Figurative Redhead

This is one of four 6"x6" encaustic paintings currently hanging at the Oregon Society of Artists show.  These have all sold but I'm working on more.  I paint lots of red-headed women.  Also brunettes, but mostly redheads and hardly ever blondes.  I have absolutely no idea why, I just start painting and that's what happens. SOLD

"Quin" Live Model Oil Portrait

This is a quick 12"x16" oil study done of Quin Sweetman who was our model at a recent Wednesday session of artists who paint on Wednesday afternoons at Jantzen Beach Mall in Portland.  Quin is an artist known by many of you.  She has a website and Etsy store which you can visit.  As you see she is also a terrific model. I see that I forgot to sign my painting.  The Wednesday group is open to all artists and is free unless we have a paid model and then it is $5.00 for 2 sessions.  The other 2 sessions of the month we paint/draw each other.  Contact me if you want more detailed information.

"Here and Now" Live Model Oil Figurative Classic Woman

This painting is a 14"x14" Oil on board. It is based on live model drawings when I usually put a hat on the model. I added a historic look to the clothing but she remains a modern woman.