The Transitional Image

Light On Yoga Studies

I love the intensity of Iyengar. Just because I love it doesn't mean it's not intense for me! These kozo encaustic prints are somewhat like ancestral studies; my teacher trained with Iyengar. There's far more space between my atoms for it. _____________________________________________________________________________________ My studio wall July 9th, 2009. Elena Ray Copyright 2009. 17" x 22" Pigment Ink Kozo Encaustic prints.

All the elements conspire to wed

Birds and beeswax make me think about nudes. ______________________________________________________________________________________ This Image "Ikebana". Elena Ray Copyright 2009. Lensbaby photo pigment ink print on watercolor paper with encaustic overlays. 7.5" x 16.5". Summer is sexy. Melting beeswax is sweet. Translucency is encouraging. Things make sense. No distrust. Giving/Getting ~~~.

Calligraphy Birds

Enjoying the 4th with my Mom and Tim. Later on we're going to get into the RV and head out to high ground to watch the fireworks. Last night we watched "Hero" a beautiful modern Japanese movie with a calligraphy theme. So, this morning, for the first time since the brush creativity workshop with Kaz, I took out the brush and began making characters. The difference in me was immediate; big new liberating confidence with the brush! It's mind boggling how much a teacher can give you! The universe of late has seen fit to send me teachers that work powerfully in me, which means I think, I am ready. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 

This image "Little Bird on Pine". Elena Ray Copyright 2009. 8.5 x 11" Pigment ink print of a digital image produced on an altered substrate: origami paper mounted and stained with acrylic and InkAid. While in the mountains I photographed the little birds in silhouette as though they were black ink strokes.

Happy Birthday To Me!

So sorry I haven't blogged. I am doing stuff, but it doesn't seem ever finished enough to write home about. The paneled artwork is (intellectually) taking a turn into becoming assemblage. Both Wini and Lori have been around, looking at my growth, and after both giving their input I've been led to this assemblage conclusion. I don't know about you other artists, but when an artist is looking at my work and giving me advice I'm all over it like white on rice. Basically, I'm greedy for help. Many people in real life know this about me. 

Today is my birthday (45 Alive!) and I feel like I want to give myself the gift of an entry. I really love blogging, it has helped me so much. but the days of producing image after image to write about are behind me as I grapple with physical art. So I think I'm gonna change things up a bit so I can continue to reap the benefits of sharing my process live. Here goes. 

Also, just so you know my feelings about "getting old". F*^K that! I'm just damn happy to be alive considering how many times the reaper has given me a glance at his profile. And one thing every new birthday reminds me, is that the spirit never seems to feel age, and that the soul was already very old, so... I'm happy. I'm having fun with this incarnation. ________________________________________________________________________________________ The studio wall sometime around late June 2009. (You can click on the image to see a larger version.) Image Elena Ray Copyright 2009. 

Encaustic Collage

Everything in my studio is coated in sweet beeswax! The thrift store pancake griddle is god. Loving the transparency qualities of the melted wax on paper. I am layering here a thin white rice paper over the Geisha calendar girl print with a copy of an ancient grass style calligraphy layered beneath her face. The blue trim at the bottom is some Japanese block paper stained with blue encaustic paint. Wini suggested melting crayon into muffin pans for additional colors so I will be making another thrift spelunking venture soon.

 I have also assembled my first 4 paneled art work. It's not done... it requires far more abuse before it's soul bursts out. But it's there, hanging on the wire off my studio wall, begging me to be brave enough to have my soul burst out too. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 

This image: Geisha Girl Collage Elena Ray 2009.

Typewriter Poem

Mockingbird printed on InkAid treated hemp/kozo washi with typewriter factoid poem.

I totally get this typewriter now. It has a voice. It writes poetry. This is it's first poem. 

Everything is opening up hugely. Enormous support from friends who get me. Thank you Thank you Thank you. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

This Image: "Bird Poem". Elena Ray copyright 2009

Encaustic Dictionary Page

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Found an old pancake griddle at the thrift store... Yes, the gods know me. It's exactly the tool I need to melt the beeswax onto these carbon adorned reduced and compressed tree bones. _________________________________________________________________________________________ This Image "Encaustic Dictionary page 1" Elena Ray Copyright 2009.

Melting Wax Laying Gel Beautiful Paper

Yesterday I was channeling Joseph Beuys and his spirit had so much energy in me! I've been making encaustic dictionary pages. ~I don't know why.~ I figure, it's better not to ask the gods too many questions... I have a vision of doing paneled art work, so I'm producing the panels, all in deference to the beauty of the materials I'm working with... I honestly feel my skills are not really up to this task, but then I catch a wave like yesterday and my confidence is boosted. Setting my ego aside, the elements and ingredients I am collecting and adding into the narrative are not my own. )) This is collage. _________________________________________________________________________________________ This iMage "Butterfly Calligraphy". Elena Ray Copyright 2009. 8.5' x 11" Acrylic and InkAid treated watercolor paper Ultrachrome inkjet print with gel medium Chinese calligraphy gel medium overlay. 

Organic Range Free Eggs

This time playing with the Lensbaby.

Pattabhi Jois died today. That's been on my mind all day, thinking about yoga, what would I be w/out yoga...what a strange and beautiful art it is, how when I practice alone it's so intense for me, the mental aspect and how much deeper I know I can go, but I fatigue... imagining the resonance of the master yogis, what amazing creativity; playing the body as a spinning double helix of steps, trying to reach the stars of consciousness. 

More on eggs here: Silverspring Studio

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This Image "Green Eggs" Elena Ray Copyright 2009

Stock Image Shiitake Mushrooms

Exploring the 60MM's depth of field qualities in natural light with these gorgeous mushrooms. They seem to be the origins of everything asian. Nature is truly the greatest artist and to be part of that as a photographer is as easy as falling in love with a texture, tone, pattern and form. I noticed as I moved around the setting that slightly different apertures were better; not jumping from 2.8 to 22, but rather from F4 to F8. Just a stop or two makes all the difference when endeavoring to maintain that beautiful flow of softening focus with total attention and intention. 

I'm back to shooting still life because I need material for my mixed medium work, which has stalled out a bit...tho part of that is some of the new materials I have are just so so so exquisite... I am hoping the spirit of some great dead artist will take pity on me and breathe down from the heavens some artfulness, understanding, ability, something illuminating that will help me transcend this unworthiness. _________________________________________________________________________________________ 

This Image "Shiitake Mushrooms" Elena Ray Copyright 2009. Image for stock.