OK, maybe it’s a bad idea to refer to smoking in any way in reference to a studio where I’ll be painting with molten wax, but there’s no other way to describe the festivities last night. Nearly 50 people dropped by to wish me well on the new studio, and many of them were here during the first two hours so it was elbow to elbow! There were so many of us we spilled into my back yard, but we had great weather so no one minded at all.

This event also served as the celebration of my book, Embracing Encasutic, which is an instruction book for those wanting to learn to paint with hot wax. It was hot off the press and I sold out of all 20 books I had on hand. If you missed it an would like to purchase one you can get one online by visiting http://www.embracingencaustic.com (there’s also a 15 page preview of the book available if you just want a peek).

We also has some great door prizes donated by Maria from Collage on Alberta where I teach classes once a month, and Peter from Muse Art + Design on Hawthorne. These two businesses are both locally owned and sponsor lot of art events in Portland so please take the time to check them out! I shop with them more often than anywhere else in town.

The chocolate fountain was up and running as you can see in the background here. It was a big hit, especially with the kids, but we all left with a little of the sweet stuff on our fingers (or shirts).

My generous friends arrived all night with flowers and gifts which made me feel extra special. I was thrilled to receive a little painting from my friend Judy Wise, a wonderful artist who I have admired for years. She also works in encaustic and presented me with this lovely gal to watch over me and my studio. In all of our chatter and excitement I forget to ask if she has a name! Judy, what do you say?

Update: Judy said I should name her! I’m originally from Hawaii and when I first saw the painting I told Judy she looked Micronesian to me so I named her Malulani, which means heavenly protection in Hawaiian. Somehow I know she’ll be great at her job!

After everyone was gone and we were ready to call it a night, I found my 13 year old dog, Grommett, happily snoring in the studio. I had to wake him up to get him inside. Maybe he was dreaming of that chocolate fountain…