Betsy Rice + Encaustic Art + Pursuits with purpose
How was I going to connect "community" with my new passion? This developed organically as I invited people into my studio to share my new hobby. There is nothing like experiencing something new with a friend. It doubles the joy. Turning my garage into my studio has given me opportunities to connect with my friends and community on a whole new level. I saw it as "building community" but one of my friends called it "fellowship".
The Merriam-Webster's definition of fellowship is:
1.) community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience ,
2.)meaningful communication for building trust.
EXACTLY! Lots of good music, fresh air, conversation, and laughter as we learn together.
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This week i had two fabulous beekeepers join me in the studio to work with wax for the first time. They told me all about beekeeping and how it is not for the faint of heart. Kendra (left) began beekeeping because her daughter had an interest. (See previous post of her daughter, Velveth, and husband when they visited my studio last year) Kendra was an open book and shared about her early beekeeper mistakes . She wisely encouraged me to learn more about it before jumping in head first …it is not as easy as you may think. But even with the trials of beekeeping, she persevered and seems to have found a hobby with a special community. Our town has a beekeeping club and they all support and mentor each other so they may become better beekeepers. Nancy (right) is Kendra’s mentor. Nancy has been beekeeping for five years but she has lots of other interests. She uses cut wood to create animals, pumpkins, and seasonal decorations. She also enjoys photography and lives on 15 acres with a pond. She showed me a photograph of her beautiful property as this was the inspiration for her encaustic painting. I will definitely be learning some more from these ladies.
Well, I finally got to paint with my landlord and sweet friend, Terry. I have posted about Terry before when he came to visit…but this was the first time he has painted with me. …and boy…he has some serious creative energy. He wanted to create this heart for a Valentines gift (since it is just around the corner) and the other picture in his right hand is hard to see but it was to honor the Lakers. The day we painted was the DAY BEFORE Kobe Bryant’s tragic death. I knew he was a big fan and followed the Lakers and Kobe Bryant with tons of respect so I knew this would be a hard week for him. It is hard for everyone …In the words of my friend Terry, “Take every day… Appreciate Life…. You never know…”
Suzan did not hesitate. She walked in the door and immediately picked up the canvas and her torch. I have never seen anyone jump in for the first time like she did. She wasn’t afraid of the torch or of the wax moving the wrong way. She worked fast and with intention and never looked up to see what anyone else was doing. It made me think three things: 1.) i want to work with such focus 2.) i want to work with no fear 3.) i want to work without worrying about what the people around me are doing. Great lesson for me today.
Brandy, Hannah and Kathy all came to paint today for the first time using the encaustic medium. Kathy is my dear friend and she just moved back to town. We are so excited to have them back and we love to spend time together. What better way than to paint?! She knows how to sew…i am hoping she will teach me a few things.
I met Mike today. He joined our mini workshop and jumped right in. We felt like we had a celebrity with us. He is a musician from Atlanta with tons of talents…rapper, dj, songwriter, etc… Notice his sweatshirt signed by a lot of artists. I was worried he was going to get paint on it:) . Go Follow Mike @bigmikemicwhoa
Brandy showed up today along with a handful of people from the building where i have my studio. They all came to learn about encaustics and paint with me. I learned that she was a nurse but now paints out of her home studio. When she began her first encaustic, she had no hesitation. She chose earthy colors and continued to build the texture, trying all of the techniques she had learned in the short hour. Her painting changed shape, color, and texture multiple times and each time I could tell she was really enjoying the process. Sometimes, people trying this medium for the first time get frustrated. I mean…wax moves. It seemed more that Brandy was happily accepting and enjoying the challenge.
Hannah is an artist and has studio space in the St Andrews Center-right down the hall from me. I had only met her once or twice but today she came to paint and learn about encaustic work. She shared that her father is also a talented artist and was a big influence for her. She said she always ends up painting faces. Faces are so hard for me…i love how easy it was for her.
This is my new friend and talented photographer, Virgil Fox. We met when we both had some pieces at @firehallstudiosgallery. Today he came and painted with me combining photography with encaustic. It is my favorite thing to do-paint with someone. It always surprises me how much you can learn about a person while you are creating together. I learned that Virgil met his wife when he was her boss but then married her when she was “stolen” from his department. He said he lost an employee but gained a girlfriend.I learned that he loves to travel and travels often, taking pictures wherever he goes. Often he and his wife will camp and have even slept in their car when needed….adventurous spirits. His wife is an actress and you can tell he adores her by the way he is so proud of her work. Virgil is the type of person that never meets a stranger and seems to really enjoy connecting with all types of people from all walks of life. Hope you have a Virgil in your life!
Velveth and her parents have become beekeepers and were curious about painting with their beeswax. She brought her harvested wax to my studio and we got busy. …and may I say how yummy and sweet was the smell of her wax. I loved hearing the story of how they began keeping bees, how Velveth has never been stung, yet , her father got a “Jay Leno” chin from a sting. But my favorite part of this day was when Velveth left the room. Her father told me the story of when Velveth asked to get a tattoo. He was reluctant -until finding out what she wished to have “permanently marking her skin”…it was the date her parents adopted her. He then showed me his arm. The whole family went to get the same tattoo. He was beaming and so proud of his beautiful daughter. It reminded me of the scripture that says our name is written on the palm of the Father’s hand.
I haven’t painted with Terry….yet. But every time he comes by my studio, we are almost there. You see, I rent my studio space from him. He is a handyman, a landlord, a servant, and a missionary of sorts . He has a huge heart for the homeless and thinks the world needs more art. He told me a story about seeing homeless men in the woods when he was a little boy. At that moment he thought to himself, “if they are there, then what is going to keep ME out of that situation”. He said he knew he needed to be proactive and work hard. He went to a technical school and served in the military for several years. I asked him how he learned to “fix” things and he told me when he was young he didn’t have toys so he busied himself with working with what was available. But the thing he said that stuck with me the most was this: “it was written”… . He kept repeating it. It took me a minute to figure out that he was referring to the fact that even as a little boy of 6 years, God was instilling in him the desire to care for the homeless and marginalized. His story was already written. Now he is building a diverse community in an old building right in the middle of Highland Park. I am thankful.
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid…. Dawn is a new friend (on the left) and today we had an impromptu painting session that started with a missed coffee date. When she was telling me all of the things she was interested in, I was blown away by her impressive diversity…jewelry mending, sewing, acrylics, pottery, wood burning. She told me that she didn’t have all of those talents, but that she just wasn’t afraid to try new things. She is brave to the bone and it made me want to go out and try all of the things on my bucket list. I mean, why not?! She sees beauty in the small things and really seems to look for how God has woven those small things just for her. I hope everyone has a “Dawn” in their lives. I am thankful she is now a part of mine.
June (left) came all the way from Orlando to paint with me. She makes exquisite jewelry but wanted to try her hand at encaustic. I was thrilled to have her in the studio. She was fearless…knew how to handle the torch…and wasn’t afraid to “mess up” . I loved hearing her work. When it wasn’t going the way she expected, she would say, “oh well…let’s try it this way” , and she would go a different direction. Makes me wish I could shift direction that easily-and not just with my art. Ann ( right) heard we were in the studio and brought her watercolors to work with us. I am thankful they aren’t afraid of a messy studio because I LOVED having friends with me.
She has played with watercolor but tried something new today. When people around me are willing to try new things, it makes me want to step out of my comfort zone and try new things.
Gracie is a college student FROM MOZAMBIQUE! and is one of my new friends. She has so much joy in every thing she does and sings while she works. Her joy is contagious.
Elena smiles all of the time and is a gentle soul. She squealed when she burned her shellac top coat and loved her end piece of art! Wish you could have heard that squeal.
She is a creative, an amazing photographer and likes to surf. She is also one of my daughter's best friends. Loved hanging with her and seeing her creations.
Ramsey was here for the summer working as a lifeguard. She is a college student and knew very few people when she arrived. Painting with her was a great way to get to know her.
What I have learned about Ryn is that nothing will hold her back. She loves adventure and trying new things. She is full of energy and has a huge heart. She inspires me!
but over the 30 years we have known each other, we have never "arted" together. This was so new for us and challenging. But look what she made!!!! ...so sweet and she gave it to her mom...even more special!
This day was full of joy! It was so fun to do this with these guys. Thomas, Elena and Will are sweet friends and really encouraged each other as they were unsure of the process. Will (right) was inspired by a book he had just read for school...something about the Black Forest maybe? Beautiful day!
Mary is my fourth and only child left at home. She likes to surf...even though we live in a landlocked city. She is fierce and I loved spending some rare time with her.
Merrile came over to create with me. One day I ran into her in the city and this is what she was wearing.
Her phone case: IT IS WELL
Her shirt: MY LIFE STORY WILL BE A GOOD ONE
This says it all!
Amanda is a friend of my son's. I love her sweet, gentle spirit. She is one of those people that is always game for anything. She loves to be outdoors so we just opened up the garage door and created!
This is Hilary. Check out those guns?! When we walk around together I tell people that I am her trainer. haha- Seriously, she makes me laugh. She is new to town but hasn't missed a beat. I have only known her a short time but I learned quickly that she is highly disciplined, has a heart of gold, and is loyal to the bone. I feel like we have known each other forever.
I made a new friend today so we played in the studio. I learned that she owns a frame shop, has a really smart kiddo, and has been in Chattanooga for 17 years. I also learned that she has a curious mind, a giving spirit, and some serious creativity. Thanks, Michelle, for sharing your friends.
Giving back to a community is a privilege. Hoping this section becomes filled with opportunities to serve our community. This will change as the needs arise.
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When Donna was planning on retiring, she took a job at Howard. That was 12 years ago! She has a heart for these kids and is often reaching out to the community to request help in meeting their needs. PURSUITS WITH PURPOSE will donate 35% of our proceeds over the next quarter in an effort to assist in the goal of providing excellence for these kids.