Mingling with FUSED and perusing From Motion To Stillness

The FUSEDChicago members recently gathered for a meeting. First we conducted some organizational business, but then we got to the fun part of socializing, noshing on goodies, and watching demos.

Jenny Learner set a panel on fire by torching shellac on a panel-in-progress. It had a few layers of wax on it already, and this seals the design below in, while then allowing to add more encaustic to the layer above.

Then Kathleen Waterloo gave us a peek into her technique.

Martin Jon filmed us for an upcoming FUSEDChicago video.

Visiting the studios of other artists always makes me joyful.

It was a lovely morning, made more enjoyable by the gorgeous exhibit on the first floor of Zhou B Art Center, titled From Motion to Stillness.

Rory Coyne’s A Better Companion (whom I first saw at Marked by Myth) is on display. (He’s having a big sale on Wednesday, by the way. Check it out on Facebook.)

As is this gorgeous piece, The Commitment by Tim Okamura, that juxtaposes butterflies with urban life.

My favorite creatures:

Casey Childs’ Unveil reminded me of the historic masters.

Becoming by Steven DaLuz drew me in as well.

The variety of finishes is intriguing, some painting very smoothly while others use brush strokes as texture.  From Motion to Stillness is up through March 10 at 1029 W 35th St. in Chicago. Curator Sergio Gomez posts great interviews with artists on his blog.

Meanwhile, FUSEDChicago is gearing up for an opening on Friday, March 1. FUSEDChicago: A Group Encaustic Exhibition will be on view at the College of Lake County March 1 – April 7, 2013.

The show includes works by: Dan Addington, Alicia Forestall-Boehm, Shelley Gilchrist, Nikkole Huss, Katsy Johnson, Catherine Keebler, Elyse Martin, Jane Michalski, Sarah E. Rehmer, Paul Rinaldi, Emily Rutledge, Michele Thrane, Kathleen Waterloo, and Donna Zarbin-Byrne.

The opening reception is Friday, March 1, 7:00-9:00 p.m. with live music by harpist Daphne Freund. The exhibit is located at 19351 W. Washington St. in Grayslake, IL 60030. The Gallery is open to the public from Mon-Thu: 9am – 9pm; Fri-Sat: 9am – 4:30pm; Sun: 1am – 5pm (check for Spring break hours).