Arriving at Wonder Land
Last month I announced my upcoming show at Imogen Gallery and have since decided to change the name to Wonder Land. This show has had four titles now because well, I’ve been working on them for four years on and off.
This Picasso quote has always resonated with me…
““Paintings are but research and experiment. I never do a painting as a work of art. All of them are researches. I search constantly, and there is logical sequence in all this research.””
The title of a painting anchors the painting to an extent. A title of a painting reaches out to connect with a viewer and to provoke thought about things that maybe they didn’t know about. I like arriving at a title. I enjoy the research involved in a title because I enjoy writing.
Titles in my paintings serve as a subtle means to incorporate language into the artwork without overpowering the viewer's interpretation.
With each evolution of my current body of work spanning four years, I have accumulated a wide range of words to draw inspiration from. Sometimes, a single word comes to mind, which I then explore further in my concept thesaurus and document additional words in my process journal. These words marinate in my mind as I work. Additionally, I derive ideas from nautical, navigational, and astrological terms, as well as from everyday life in my surroundings.
For me, the exhibition title serves as the initial introduction to the artwork, providing a glimpse into its essence. On the other hand, the titles of the individual pieces offer a poetic invitation for viewers to delve into and experience abstract or conceptual art. I firmly believe that art is a language that transcends words. The titles of my works reflect my personal experiences in the Lower Columbia Basin, where the Columbia River converges with the Pacific Ocean. Titling my work has always been an important ritual in completing a body of work. These titles, in particular, trace a four-year journey of change, relocation, loss, and extensive travels throughout Oregon..
The first title for this body of work was Jezero, after the crater discovered by the NASA Perseverance mission on Mars. I was following this mission at the time and I started this body of work three months into the pandemic. In total isolation, it was an inspiring escape to watch the Mars landing mission and what was discovered from it.
As time went on with this body of work and my research expanded, the second title of the show became Constellation Atlas, and some of the pieces have constellations hidden in them, representing events in life and nature that were going on at the time and significant to our planet. The third title of the show was going to be called Navigating Place, representing finding my way in a new life in a new town discovering all of these places and being closer to nature and the horizon line and the water.
The fourth and final title is Wonder Land, I thought to call it Pacific Wonderland, which is the Oregon slogan on our license plates here. The show would represent the beauty of Oregon as a whole a sort of love letter to Oregon.
The titles of each work individually will represent aspects of all the show titles in one way or another. The span of years, along with the title of the show morphing and changing with me through time and through life will continue manifesting as I complete the last pieces.
Some of the titles represent what I have experienced since living on the North Coast. Others are about the general wonders of this area of the country and my own personal reinvention in a new place.
There is a bit of magic and mystery to it, like everything else with my process!
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I am honored to have two pieces selected for the Resilience online exhibition curated by Sergio Gomez and Drew Harris for 33 Contemporary Gallery (Chicago, Miami). There are a total of 48 pieces from artists around the world in this show. Take a look!
Wax, Textiles & Printmaking Weekend July 12-13
This is going to be a super blast for eight lucky students!
Join us for an in-person workshop with Elise Wagner, creator of Print Wax.
Saturday and Sunday
November 14 & 15, 2026
10am-4pm
Elise Wagner and Jane Pagliarulo (Wags & Pags), refined the wax collagraph printmaking method and taught Wax Collagraph Printmaking together for eight years in Portland, Connecticut, Manzanita and Cape Cod. They both also presented Wax Collagraph Printmaking at the SGCI and International Encaustic Conference. Elise has also taught the method in New York, London, Victoria B.C. and Mexico.
Traditionally in printmaking, a “collagraph” is a collaged printing plate. Wagner developed this particular unique approach to printmaking which replaces the collage on the plate with a specially formulated white encaustic wax. This class combines the techniques and approaches of both printmaking and encaustic painting to produce richly textured intaglio prints. Create plates from marks and embossed textiles into wax using handmade Wagner Encaustic Collagraph White.
In this class, we use both traditional plexiglas and flat Ampersand Claybord as the printing plate to learn the advantages of printing with each. We use non-toxic soy and honey based Akua Inks on Japanese papers and Evolon microfiber.
Wagner is a member of the Speedball Professional Network
Both Italian Jersey Girls, each bring their area of expertise to the table; Elise her encaustic painting tools and techniques and Jane, her master printmaking skills. Jane cut her teeth as an artist contract printing at the prestigious Hand Graphics in Santa Fe. She is the real deal and we hope you can join us!
When you do join us at Pier 11 Studio in historic Astoria, Oregon be ready for breathtaking and inspiring views as you create while literally hovering over the mighty Columbia River! This one is worth traveling for!
Accommodations
Many participants come a long way to our historic town of Astoria, Oregon for classes. Check out the video below. We’ve listed some participant favorite places to stay.
Your experience in class will be right on the water at Pier 11 Studio in Astoria, Oregon. A beautiful albeit distracting view of ships passing and sea lions frolicking awaits to inspire you. Some of the workshops are scheduled the weekend of the Astoria Art Walk, which is the second Saturday of each month so, you will have a chance to be immersed in the creative culture here on the Northern Oregon Coast. Plan a fun trip with a friend for a workshop to get a taste of the local and vibrant creative community here.
Need accommodations while taking my workshop in Astoria? I recommend you take a look at these AirBnb stays! Text Host Jimbo before booking and mention you are taking a workshop with Elise Wagner and get 20% off.
Carruthers Loft This is a gorgeous apartment in a historic building two blocks from the studio above Caurruthers Restaurant.
Astoria Loft Downtown More suitable for groups of 3 or more, this beatiful loft showcases the work of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most renowned artists. Centrally located behind Imogen Gallery where Elise’s work is on display.
Additional options in the immediate area ranging in price.
The Bowline Hotel $$$ on the water and next door to the studio.
Cannery Pier $$$ a one mile walk to the studio.
The Norblad $$ five blocks from the studio.
Holiday Inn Express $$a 3/4 mile walk along the river to the studio.
The Commodore Hotel $$ two blocks from the studio, Broder Restaurant on ground floor.
The Atomic Motel $a 1/2 mile walk to the studio.
Astoria Riverwalk Inn $$ 1.5 mile walk to the studio.
Best Western $$ at Pier 39, 2 mile walk to the studio.
If you followed the mouse misadventure on my Instagram, you’ll be happy to know that Rothko is on the case!
SEND ME A MESSAGE! I would love to hear your thoughts on titling artworks and art shows or anything else this month’s blog may have sparked. THANK YOU!
WAGNER COLLAGRAPH WAX is a specially formulated encaustic white paint made for collagraph printing to easily release from the paper. Wagner Encaustic Collagraph White is used to build collagraph printing plates in lieu of collage materials. When inked, the texture of encaustic can be etched, scratched, carved, or embossed then inked and printed on an etching press to create monotypes on paper that are rich and full of depth. This product performs best using Akua non-toxic intaglio inks. The natural beeswax in Wagner Collagraph White forms the perfect marriage with Akua soy and honey based intaglio inks. Not for use with oil based inks.
Please refer to the video tutorial on getting started with Wagner Collagraph Wax and refer to the Getting Started Guide.
ORDERS ARE HAND MADE IN SMALL BATCHES 120z Large/Classroom Size
ALLOW 2 WEEKS DOMESTIC AND 3 WEEKS INTERNATIONAL FOR DELIVERY.
FIRST-CLASS INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING AVAILABLE.
ACMI AP Label—conforms to ASTM D 4236