I attended one of Willow Bader's traveling workshops in San Antonio, TX at the recommendation of Michelle Belto, who connected my love of figure painting with the way Willow works. I struggled a bit at the beginning of the class but Willow quickly assessed that my problem most likely had to do with the size of the wood panel I was working on, and suggested I go get a larger one and return to the workshop. After doing so, my experience greatly improved, and in less than three hours I created the image attached, Willow is a master of her encaustic painting technique and is very generous in sharing her tricks of the trade with her students. Se is very inspiring. If you don't believe me, go see one of her exhibitions for yourself. Her work is beyond impressive! If you want to learn a painterly approach to encaustic painting, I highly recommend her workshops. There is so much to explore around this medium where ancient...
Read moreI always dreamed of commissioning a painting that captured childhood memories and deep family traditions. So when a friend took me to Willow's studio I knew she was the artist to create this piece. Her work is full of emotion and depth. She perfectly captured my italian grandparents home, and the loving moments my family shared there. I want to climb into the painting...I can smell the food, feel the love filled house, and hear my grandparents soothing voices. It's magical....and I am certain my family will fight over it when I am gone! It's a very special piece that has brought more joy than I ever imagined. So much joy - that I plan to have Willow create a piece for my parents, capturing memories that are dear to them. I am blessed to have this painting, and can hardly wait to share Willow's talent with my family. Thank you Willow - your gift is...
Read moreWe have always enjoyed seeing Willow's paintings hanging on the walls of our neighborhood restaurant, St. Clouds, especially those with music and dancing themes. There is one painting of a pair of hands on a piano keyboard which gave me an idea. A couple of years ago, I captured a photo of Jack practicing the piano through our family room windows. I decided that a painting by Willow of that scene might make a nice 75th birthday present. I sent her the photo, she visited our house to see the spaces involved. She then sent her study and a bit later, my younger daughter and I went to her studio a couple of times to view the near final painting and give some input on a few details. I love the results and the encaustic technique. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable experience working with Willow and a fantastic surprise birthday present! Thank...
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