Victoria Pittman

New Year Wish

2012-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Holiday Angels Card

2011-12-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

Superstition Symphony

2011-12-02T15:54:00.000-08:00

Arizona November

2011-11-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

October in Maine

2011-10-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

Unspoken

2011-09-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

22" x 30"
Chinese Ink

Think Snow

2011-09-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Not to rush the beautiful Autumn season that will be here soon but with these crispy mornings, my mind is

anticipating snow again and the possibility of hitting the slopes ...and these latest encaustic "starts"

reflect it.

Having fun...Dreaming

Cape Cod and some encaustic play

2011-08-09T16:19:00.001-07:00

Road to Mendocino

2011-05-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

LIme Art

2011-05-10T15:45:00.000-07:00

On Mother's Day my daughters Alexandra and Johanna visited and we had a most delightful weekend.

There was a bit of outside gathering by Alex for an assemblage project which involved some birch bark, branches and crystals and a Lime/Raspberry cake was made by Johanna. The cake was delicious .

After they had left, I found the grated limes on the counter and couldn't resist doing a little collage with the Bark, tangerines and the beautiful limes....now pieces of art themselves...

Small encaustic on found board

2011-05-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Mendocino Trip

2011-04-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

A view from the Pacific Star "boutique" winery where we bought a delightful bottle of white for our anniversary . We brought it back with us and enjoyed it for an Easter treat.
The coast is just spectacular, isolated and windswept. For several nights we opened doors wide to listen to the roar of the Pacific and crackling fire.

Views from the Pacific Star. While we were wine tasting another couple joined us . We were chatting about Maine and turned out that the gentleman was from New England and had done the Rockland 10K a few years back. After some chatter about that our host chimed in that she could do us one better. Her sale of her home on Islesboro (and island off the coast of Camden, Me area) provided enough for the purchase of the acreage seen here. Give her a visit if you find yourself in the upper reaches of PCH.

Desert/April

2011-04-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Pothos/ encaustic

2011-03-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

monument valley evening

2011-02-19T16:00:00.000-08:00

The Valley

2011-02-19T13:50:00.000-08:00

Monument Valley, Utah

2011-02-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

Dream

2011-02-08T13:34:00.000-08:00

Encaustic, infrared photography, lettering, varnish

Encaustic, lettering, metal leaf patination

2011-01-24T10:25:00.000-08:00

Another version of the image below reversing lettering colors.
I think I like this one better. The imagery on top is evoking mountains . This will most likely evolve in that direction unless I get distracted by the 10 other pieces on the table.

Encaustic, patinas, lettering

2011-01-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

First Snow 2011

2011-01-06T10:05:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011

2010-12-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T12:47:00.002-08:00

A quickly sketched and fanciful N for the New Year.

On the bottom, the desert with snow- capped peaks viewed from Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

On to the festivities of the day.

A festive Roulade / Chocolate Mousse and a bit of the bubbly/almond infused.

Happy and Peaceful and Productive New Year!

Bosque del Apache

2010-12-21T10:11:00.000-08:00

Wonder as I Wander

2010-12-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken down by Salt River at Granite Reef Dam with infrared lens.

The Mesquites have such a wonderful and textural flow.

I have since tweaked the lettering to beef it up and get rid of some noise that I overlooked.

Ready to send out.

Something different

2010-12-06T12:49:00.000-08:00

While sorting through really old artwork (almost 20 years ago) during a recent purge of the studio , I came across these quick one minute sketches done in ink with 1/2" automatic pen.

I kind of like them. Perhaps I'll revisit doing more of these.

FaLaLa...

2010-12-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

Decking the halls today with desert decor.

Bougainvillea entwined in Cholla skeleton with gold leafed sculpted flourish

Fall light

2010-11-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

A few images from Fall. The Cape image was from last year's trek out to National Seashore. Always a favorite haunt. The long stretch of beach is a fine soulnurturing walk. I gather soft flat black stone there for carving.

Withered flowers...so much more interesting than in full bloom.

The View from Mount Battie in Camden.

Things change, things flow

2010-10-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Encaustic backgrounds. Ever changing.

Playing with overlays/possibilities.

the intuitive flow....

Simple Gifts

2010-10-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

New encaustic ideas

2010-10-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

OK..so this one (3 Suns) is a composite dream...a little Photoshop dancin' with overlays. But I loved what happened when I duplicated and flipped the image..

Calligraphic Jazz

(as in most of my encaustic experiments this one doesn't even exist. Obscured and enhanced with more and more layers. I'm just short of scrapping it altogether, it sits in the studio for me to ponder the next couple of days.

October Ice

Seeking light

2010-09-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Seeking light...

deeper Hearts

wilder places

A very good read.

2010-08-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

Nouveau plant designs

2010-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

A few more designs based on ink sketches of variety of plants.

Shown below are based on Yarrow, and Russian Thistle.

Just having fun with photoshop generation and thinking toward a new class based on contemporary botanical designs.

Paisley and other line designs

2010-08-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

Lighthouse dreamers

2010-08-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

I caught these two girls at Marshall Point Lighthouse beach last year. I'm not sure why they were dressed in such fashion ...perhaps part of some historical reenactment ...but they looked wistful and charming as they gathered stones along the beach.

Design Play

2010-07-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

First design upload to blog with new connection

Testing to see if it stays...

Ginger snaps

2010-06-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

Just need a ginger fix.

Abstract Camera play

2010-06-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

In the flow...

2010-05-14T10:56:00.001-07:00

Back to the slow computers and ancient ways..
Hopefully will be up and running on a higher vibration soon......
Now seem to be having trouble with making the pictures that I post stick. They seem to disappear after a couple of hours.

Oh, the joys.

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully I will be able to get this thing back and running soon!

I have a backlog of images waiting for release.....

New Patinas/Brass and Copper

2010-03-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

A few new combination patinas that I have been playing with in anticipation of upcoming "Tortured Metals"

workshop. I just set off the fire alarm so I'm thinking this will be an outdoor activity.

Superstition Mountain Wildflower report

2010-03-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

March 13, 2010
Along the base of the Superstition Mountains going East toward Peralta Trailhead.

Wildflowers seen:
Blue Dichelostemma, Mexican Poppy, Bladderpod, Fairy Duster, Desert Daisy, Trixis, Yellow evening Primrose, Scorpionweed, Fiddleneck, Desert Chicory, Cryptantha or Popcorn flower, Globe Mallow, Mirabilis, Lupine,Phacelia, Four O'clock and Filaree.
The Ocotilla are just starting to bloom as well as Brittlebush in certain area.
Chuparosa abundant near "hummingbird" alley.
It will be warm this week and the wildflowers should be at their peak.

Yesterday a Mohave rattlesnake was seen on the Heiroglyphic trail.

Bleach day

2010-03-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Some manipulation with words and plant images

Mirgorod/Gogol

2010-03-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Desert Traces/Marks

2010-02-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

A first few encaustic trials and experiments. Possibilities . Endless . Fluid . Saturated . Evocative

Golden grid

2010-02-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

Desert Night Hike

2010-01-05T10:42:00.000-08:00

Low clouds reflecting the distant city lights gave the mountain a soft illumination last night as I entered into nightly dance , an intruder in the undercover ritual.

Night hike in the desert. I am Awe filled! The grandness , The quietude, broken by the whisper of owl's wing, the scurrying of unseen low creatures....then the shining eyes, the prowlers twitch, the distant howls .....and the countless unseen Watchers.

Then ....I let fear work in this thought.

I wonder how far away a pack of coyotes can smell fear? The cougar, rabid bobcat, the recently relocated and angry gang of packrats. Wimp that I am. Walk quickly the rest of the way.

I'll try again this evening.

Windcatcher

2010-01-03T15:46:00.000-08:00

New Year Wish

2009-12-22T16:11:00.000-08:00

Infrared Christmas Card

2009-12-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

It's a lazy sort of day.........

2009-12-07T16:25:00.000-08:00

Scenes from a couple of years ago...same time, same place.

Holiday Wishes

2009-12-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

Ever changing. Still tweaking and reworking so stop by next week and all will be changed .

Abstract Reflections

2009-11-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

Having fun with the camera.

Winter cove

2009-11-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

Gold Play

2009-11-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

Beginnings

2009-10-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Variations on a theme

2009-10-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Irish Countryside/September

2009-09-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

A trip to the Western part of Ireland earlier this month was wonderful.

Full of music and remarkable and breathtaking scenery.

Lovely connections.

We drove from Doolin and Aran Islands up to Connemara area and then down to the Dingle peninsula before heading home via Limerick.

On the first morning drive to Doolin, after a night flight and no sleep, I was enchanted by the light that early morning. The fog was just lifting off the marshes and the hills and in that light I saw a weather phenomena that I have never seen before. I was calling them "light bows" Because they were arcing as rainbows do but it was an intense white light arching to the ground which was illuminating small areas of green. I can't even describe how beautiful ...

I later researched and found that they were called fog bows.

Also upon arriving, I noticed that the countryside around Doolin and over at the Islands was infused with a faint aroma that I remember from my childhood. I later identified it as a perfume I loved ..."Je Reviens" After a few days I couldn't smell it anymore as often happens when you become adjusted to something but I wonder if there is something in the compound of that perfume that was in bloom in that area.

Of course, now I need to see if that perfume is yet available...

Ireland/September

2009-09-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

The view from Inis Oirr/ Aran Islands

Flowers near Clifden

Scenic view ...why did I not label these?

First Light/ Last Light/Trace Light

2009-08-31T14:17:00.000-07:00

On the river/views from kayak at low tide and full moon

Start of an expressive work/unfinished

Distraction/Upon Water

2009-08-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

Red Tangle

2009-08-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Doodling/while in boring meeting

2009-07-23T15:30:00.000-07:00

Brush lilac design

2009-07-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

Started as a brush lilac in sumi.

Ended up here.

Multiflora rose

2009-07-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Poor maligned Multiflora Rose. Running crazy and free in Maine and choking out some of the native species.

I am torn.

They fragrance the air with sweet scent like no other, mixing with balsam and salt air.

Pleading....

2009-07-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Act I

2009-06-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

tulips amid boredom

2009-06-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

The basement smells like fresh paint and is dank and chilly so idle time on the computer generating tulips and getting bored with it all.

Today, working on ideas for several pieces for a show.

Feeling a surge at last.

A beginning at least....

Walking Port Clyde

2009-06-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Day trip to Vinalhaven

2009-06-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

View from the ferry on the way to Vinalhaven taken in infrared...false color with channel swapping.

Gray day in Maine

2009-06-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today

2009-05-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

Lilacs in infrared/backyard

Annual Lilac blog

2009-05-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

They are out! Blooming a little earlier this year and just starting here on the midcoast.
These bunches are from our yard and a swiftly "borrowed" bunch from an abandoned lot. The below photo was from last year along with JP's graduation invitation from U Chicago...designed by Melissa.

Island stroll

2009-05-21T12:58:00.001-07:00

Reds on a Grey Rain

2009-05-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

InfraBumble

2009-05-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

Working a dandelion/Bumblebee in St. George in infrared.

Arizona Cactus/April

2009-04-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

A few cactus shots before heading back East.
Next post will be from Coast of Maine.
The desert bloom, especially the cactus this year, have been spectacular.
These are from a hike I took 2 days ago.

The Trichocereus further down on the page were from my neighbors stash.
They were quite spectacular ..blooms about 3 inches around!

Prickly Pear in bloom

Saguaro in full blossom

Prickly Pear bud

Cactus Bloom

2009-04-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

Flying Saucer cactus

Chain Fruit Cholla

Staghorn Cholla

Celtic art and music

2009-04-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wind and Dreams

2009-04-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

I love wind and weather. The fiercer the better. The desert has had it's share of crazy windy days lately and I'm relishing it. Down drafts off the mountain have been intense and I'm grateful that the mesquite trees are now grown enough to provide a soft sweeping whisper out the bedroom window . Lulls one to sleep.
I'm always curious why so many people hate the wind. Is it a hair thing? Allergies?
I don't get it.
All I know is that it gets my creativity going...energizes and excites!

Abstracting wind

2009-04-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

Mardi Gras friends

2009-04-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Art buddies having fun.
Joyce ,Vicky, Chuck.

Below... leaving the house with daffodils are Chuck, Joyce and Nancy. We had a fun day with caramel rolls for nutrition and then Suminagashi for the soul...or maybe it was the other way around.

Desert rose

2009-04-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

The desert cacti are early to bloom this year. This Hedgehog cactus blooms in beautiful array of colors from clarets , yellows and fuchsias to every subtle variation in between.

Random

2009-04-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

What makes a wonderful blog, for me , is maintaining a theme, digging deeper into one's subject and having a sense of humor and appreciation for the random absurd happenings in life.
Oh yeah, and lovely or thought provoking images.

The only thing that ties my blog together at this time seems to be it's randomness!
The same theme is reflected in everything I do. When I look around at the studio, there are about a dozens of active and diverse projects going as well as the computer buzzing with digital projects. I have several books and magazines started at various levels of interest and depth.
In the kitchen, I tend to throw things together with either a skeleton recipe or a taste memory to create something new or improved.

Sometimes it is chaos. Sometimes it comes together.
Sometimes something remarkable and enchanting emerges and it is all worth it.
I rather like randomness...

Down by the "Riv-ah"

2009-04-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

I took a quick trip to the Salt River the other day to get a few IR shots with my new G6.
I love the tangle of these Mesquite trees by the shore.
I used to bird in this area quite frequently and thought since the housing has now crept up so close to the river that it would be teeming with families with pets and all... but not so much. I was alone and there were some questionable characters about so I didn't stay long.
There is so much more to explore.

Mexican Hot Sauce

2009-04-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

I've been fine tuning the recipe for hot sauce since our Holiday competition and have finally come up with a very simple and delicious formula.

Mexican Hot Sauce

Boil a dozen dried guajillo chili peppers (add some arbol or other peppers if you like it hotter)

Boil until tender. Let cool
Reserve some of the water
Rip off the stems

In blender or cuisinart
Blend:
the peppers,
a half cup or more of the water
a couple of tbsp of oregano
3 or four cloves of garlic
salt and pepper to taste.

I have also put in just a bit of vinegar or a squeeze of lime

Make up your crisp corn tortillas and fill with chicken, avocado, sour cream , fresh cilantro, queso fresco and top with the hot sauce.

Pothos

2009-03-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

This started as an Infrared photo of a Pothos plant on the patio.

I brought it in to Photoshp where it received several treatments. I kind of like what is happening.

I love the tendrils...

Maria's Mountain

2009-03-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

reworked logo for class

2009-03-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

Rose sculpted

2009-03-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Bouganvillia in Rusty Water

2009-03-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Wild Rose/ Nouveau design

2009-03-17T15:11:00.000-07:00

Fragments

2009-03-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

Metal Collage

2009-03-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

The background in the above piece is an ammonia patina on faux gold leaf finished with a wax which gives a soft glow.
The below pictures are from recent classes in San Diego and Austin.

Broom Brush

2009-03-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

This is made with a hand made "broom" brush combining both soft fibre tipped plastic broom with a outer layer of straw. I love the little hard trails that the straw makes.
I'm easily entertained.

Zen Vine from Brush

2009-03-04T12:40:00.001-08:00

Grapefruit with Eucalyptus

2009-02-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

I recently returned from San Diego after teaching a workshop . Friend Yvonne surprised me with a bag of the famous Borrego Springs grapefruit which I later found in my workshop box . I usually need a dollop of honey to sweeten this treat but these beauties need nothing! They taste like they are already infused with honey in every bite! Thanks Yvonne for introducing me to these gems. There is a Grapefruit festival in Borrego Springs every year. I might have to find my way back to San Diego just for that!

Valentine

2009-02-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

"Love is like quicksilver in the hand. Leave the fingers open and it stays. Clutch it , and it darts away....."

Dorothy Parker

Desert winter

2009-02-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

Abstract Morning

2009-02-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

Photo manipulation of the day