Malachites in The Buzz exhibit

This Friday, October 19, marks the official FUSEDChicago opening of The Buzz.

About 25 encaustic artists will gather from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to explain their work to anyone passing through the Zhou B gallery 303 that evening. On Saturday and Sunday, a few artists will provide demonstrations of encaustic techniques to showcase this lovely medium.

I took a sneak peek at the show last week, and the variety of work is impressive and mesmerizing. I love how encaustics can generate so much creativity and texture and beauty.

Malachites encaustic collage by Maike’s Marvels

I have my Malachites diptych in the show. The collages were inspired by multiple visits to Butterflies and Blooms, a special butterfly tent the Chicago Botanic Garden had set up during summer which featured local and exotic butterflies.

Photo copyright Maike’s Marvels

It was so lovely to get close to these butterflies and see the unique markings they have.

Photo copyright Maike’s Marvels

Just the wing pattern is mesmerizing, but have you seen its underwings?

Photo copyright Maike’s Marvels

And what about this lovely portrait? One visit I spent just focusing on butterfly faces, which was such fun anthropomorphism.

Photo copyright Maike’s Marvels

The Malachite butterfly, or Siproeta stelenes makes its home in Central and northern South America. Its green color is striking, and it is named after the stone, which has black and green markings.

 Photo copyright Maike’s Marvels

I was doing a bit of heart chakra work (corresponding to the color green) and reviewed the healing properties of malachite. The ones I liked most were printed on paper to be embedded in the collage.

So come on out and peruse the lovely works by my friends and get a closer look at the Malachites.

Participants include:Dan Addington, Alicia Forestall-Boehm, Donna Zarbin Byrne, Linda Sorkin Eisenberg, Denise Funfsinn, Shelley Gilchrist, Kari Guziec, Brad Hook, Nikkole Huss, Katsy Johnson, Dawn Korman, Pat Lagger, Jenny Learner, Barbette Loevy, Elyse Martin, Bridgette Guerzon Mills, Ahavani Mullen, April Nomellini, VA de Pintor, Yvonne Prisble, Sarah Rehmer, Julie Ris, Kathy Blankley Roman, Emily Rutledge, Mary Krebs Smyth, Karen Tichy, Michele Thrane, Gina VanderReyden, Kathleen Waterloo, Maike van Wijk.

Artist demonstrations will include live painting, printmaking, and technique introductions between 1 p.m and 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21. There will also be polaroid painting with encaustic on cigar boxes, and photography on tiles.

The Buzz will be up from October 2 until October 30, and Studio 303 Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday from noon-6 p.m. or by appointment (773-936-3645). Zhou B Art Center is located at 1029 West 35th Street, Chicago, Illinois. The Bridgeport Art Walk is from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday (20^th), and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday (21^st).

Photo copyright Maike’s Marvels