Kay WalkingStick quotes:

Journal what you love, what you hate, what's in your head, what's important. Journaling organizes your thoughts; allows you to see things in a concrete way that otherwise you might not see. Focus on what you think you need to find in your art.

Art has to be incredibly layered. Symbols, signifiers... layers that relate. Combine signifiers with more abstract notions. Push! Vary lines.

Collect stimulus, draw them. Focus, find out as much as you can. Stimulate yourself.

State what you actually see in someone's work first: objects/space/color/directional flow - then content. Interpret.

Surface is a modernist concept. What surface does is to encourage one to see the painting as object rather than as a window on the world.

Ya wanna be an artist? Make art!

Avoid methodology. If what you're doing is about technique, that's not art.

Real success is making art your whole life.

Art can be close to the bone, but we are not our work. Try not to identify your core ego with your art.

Get rid of your little darlings.

It is important to know: 1) You are OK just the way you are. You need a strong stomach, a tough hide, and to be able to take rejection well. 2) Do your homework. Check out galleries. Don't just walk in with your work. Be as professional as you can. 3)... there is a gallery for everybody.

Tell the viewer something that they need to know.

Be of good cheer, miracles do happen.

Don't be afraid of expressing what you really mean in your art, what you really feel. Say it visually, as strongly as you can. Push as far a reach as you can, then go all the way!

Do you spend a couple of hours every day in your studio?

Encaustic gives markmaking a dimension... additive/subtractive.

I expect art to make me scream, art to reveal soul.

I expect of abstraction as much as what imagery does for me... to carry meaning.

What is it you want your audience to see? Who is your audience? What does surface signify? Does it carry meaning? Do you fully understand and know what you are doing? WHY are you using encaustic?

When in doubt, make a red painting.