A random babbling on creative spirits-

Random babbling on the creative spirit~painting, sewing, baking, boys, an irresistable God and the next 200 feet~

Thursday, August 4, 2011

drum roll please...........!

As my second book Encaustic Mixed Media hits the book shelves, I am offering this little lesson I learned in the writing of it~ Enjoy!
And, all new followers and comments to this post will be put into a drawing for three free books! So make sure and share your thoughts so I can look forward to sending three lucky winners a signed copy :)

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle

I do not profess to be excellent; far from it. But then, what is the definition? Is excellence a once and done goal to be reached or is it something we strive towards in each and every moment of your lives? Over and over again; seeking to be excellent in this awakening, excellent in this hello, excellent in this next encounter, excellent in this next task.
So in this definition, I am excellent! because I strive to repeatedly make excellence a habit of my day.
And today I give to you a bit of this excellence. Today I give to you the piece of me that strove to be the best encaustic artist and author for this book, Encaustic Mixed Media. Today I give to you the excellence of my habit to prove the versatility and malleability of beeswax to be above all else.




I will have moved to a new place by the time you pick up this book and read my words. I will have moved into a new habit of excellence and begun to work towards a new level of experimentation, or encouragement or excellence. I will look to the words and works of this book, in its most excellent form at release, and see the change that has occurred since then; surely being much too discriminating and determining it not at all the excellence I’d thought on this day of writing!

But that is the beauty, or the bane!, of excellence.
If one is to truly be so, to strive for this habit in character and performance, one has to be prepared to look back from a newly achieved level of excellence and accept the place that was called excellent the day, or week, or year before.
So it is with humble pride, tremendous gratitude and wary release that I give you Encaustic Mixed Media.
Putting all of my current heart, soul and effort into making it the all that it can be; the excellence that is it’s potential-knowing that there will be a new level to share with you as I grow in my habit to be and become most excellent. In love. Trish
A quick peek into just some of the where I am moving as I live excellent now, in this day :)




45 comments:

  1. I am thrilled to see that your new book is finally being released. I just bought your first one a couple of months ago. I have worked with clay for the last 15 years and longed to learn encaustic - your book actually gave me the information I needed to just start! I love it and can't wait to read your new book.
    I have that Aristotle quote on my studio wall.

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  2. love your work! glad to see you have another book out. Kelly Parker

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  3. Thank you both! I adore what I do and am feeling extra blessed today :)

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  4. looking forward to it Trish! on and off, i'm working more and more with mixed media.I say, use whatever materials that best communicate your idea. will pick up a copy after my return from mexico to the states, in late fall. buena suerte.

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  5. What inspiring pontification even and just in your blog. Love, love, love your thoughtfulness and wisdom in the moving on.
    Thanks,
    Alix Christian

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  6. Thank YOU Trish ... needed your words of inspiration to give me a little 'kick' & get back to creating!!! Enjoyed your first book (I have two) ... and, hoping to 'win' this one:))).
    All Blessings & Gratitude, Paula Fava

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  7. Gorgeous work Trish! I believe it is a reflection of you inner beauty.
    Continue to press on!

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  8. Congrats on the new book. Oh I am so happy, happy, happy for a chance to win it! It will look perfect sitting next to my copy of your first book! Thank you for the chance to win. I have no book funds so if I don't win, I will be adding it to my wish list for Christmas!

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  9. Congratulations on the release! I can not wait to get my hands on the new book and try some new techniques. As always your blog is inspiring, thank you!

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  10. oh i can't wait to see this book... having just discovered Encaustic... and learning on my own.... your first book was a godsend to me.... i still refer to it every few days for inspiration......Congrats on the Second and please keep striving for that excellence...

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  11. Congratulations on your new release! I am certain that if it is written with the excellence of just this post it will be more than fantastic! I will have your book, win this opportunity or not, but I would love to have a signed copy! Trish, I loved learning from you and I so enjoy reading your blog and looking at what you are working on each day. Thank you for sharing something that it is so clear that you love! Laurie Hunt

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  12. OMG! Again, "YOU ROCK!" Did you know in a former life (14-21)I was a percussionist? So I'm doing a drum roll for you right now my friend! Congrats!
    Oh wait, Can't forget the fireworks..."Boom, boom boom"..."Awwwwwwwwwwww..."

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  13. Congratulations on this new book! I'd love to add encaustics to my mixed media art and I'm sure your newest book would be the perfect guide. I love your post above and the way you write, so I'm sure this book will be a delight! I'm a new follower of this blog, who is waiting with fingers and toes crossed and hoping to win! Thanks for such an exciting and generous giveaway!
    Linda Harbin
    MidwestieLady (Etsy)

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  14. I love bees and I love books and I love art.

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  15. congratulations on this new book, I've been waiting for it's release date. Love your post, very moving and the artwork equally so.

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  16. Love your first book...so looking forward to the 2nd. Your work and blog are inspiring. I look forward to reading your posts. Have a great day!

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  17. So excited for you! And so looking forward to being totally inspired, just like your first book did for me. God bless you!!!

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  18. I have not worked with encaustics, but so want to (just lacking time, courage, and of course some money) Your books are on my wish list when the next art pay day (that is I sell a few more bits and pieces) comes along. Your work is lovely. Congratulations on the new book!

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  19. I promise to not throw my own post into the barrel for a free book, but had to post thank yous! You are all so wonderfully gracious and I thank you for your comments...wish I could give away a whole case.... :)

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  20. Congrats on a 2nd book being published - I would love to learn more and more regarding encaustics - Love your work - Thanks for the inspiration!

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  21. congratulations on your new book! I own and love 'encaustic workshop,' and I'd be thrilled beyond words to be a lucky winner of your new book--thank you for sharing your thoughts on excellence with us--what a powerful and meaningful message.

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  22. I am so proud of you my friend and you continue to inspire me. Looking forward to reading the new book. Much love, Karon

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  23. Congratulations on the release of the new book. The first one is my favorite encaustic book and I'm excited to see what the second one brings! To win it would be fabulous, if I don't I'll buy it anyway.

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  24. Congrats Trish on you new book!!! You are such an inspiration to us all!! I have not won anything since I was in girl scouts and sat on the right chair to win a can of fudge, many moons ago!! I am soooooooo hoping my inspiring, hopeful, thought process gets to the devine spirit and lets you choose my name!! Again, you have sent to us all a very powerful & heartwarming message!! Bless you for all you inspiration that you give us!! Encaustic rules, lol...... K

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  25. congratulations on your book hitting the shelves, what an amazing accomplishment! love your work and look forward to trying out the techniques in your newest book.

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  26. Congratulations on the book. Your first book and DVD were wonderful and got me started with Encaustics. I am really looking forward to learning even more. I loved this blog post too. It is a great message and something we should all think about.

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  27. I was lucky to take a class with you at Inspired 2011 and love this medium! What can I put wax on next?!! Congratulations on your newest book release!!

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  28. Congratulations on the release of your second book Patricia.! Your first book enticed me into fun of encaustic. Can't wait to see what goodies are in the new book.

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  29. So happy and excited for you! So can't wait to get a copy for me!
    CONGRATULATIONS!!

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  30. After having the pleasure of being introduced to encaustics and to YOU at Encaustic Camp my artistic muse keeps trying to include wax in everything I do now...
    Congratulations on your new book!
    XXOO

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  31. Hmm, I was SURE I posted here a couple of days ago...?
    Again: Trish, it is absolutely fabulous that you are bringing out a second book. Your first one is already quite dirty from picking it up with waxy fingers...;-)
    Can't wait to get those dirty fingers on your new book!

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  32. I am so looking forward to picking up your new book. Looks wonderful.

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  33. Trish, Congratulations on the new book and all the success you are experiencing in your life! I love the new directions you are headed. ~Denise

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  34. I enjoyed your first book so very much! I look at it over and over. I am sure this one will be just as magical and creative! Congratulations on your new book! I am anxious to see it! Best,
    gina louthian-stanley

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  35. OH aaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwww ! I didn't even knew you had a blog !! Happy to discover it and add it to my fav' links !!! Smooches ;-) Sandrine Deleuze http://www.sandrinedeleuze.be

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  36. Loved the first book!! will have to get the new one ASAP! love your work!!!

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  37. i ordered your first book a week or so before i heard you'd be coming to the Blue Mountains...it arrived yesterday and is giving me great pleasure [along with the obligatory cup of tea]
    beeswax is so very seductive.

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  38. Suzanne DesRosiersAugust 9, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Congratulations again Trish. I was the first to comment but my post is missing. I have your first book and DVD which always inspires me. No doubt your new book will do the same for me and many others. Hallelujah! Suzanne DesRosiers

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  39. Hi!! I, of course, LOVE your first book and am trilled to have taken a class with you this year at Create in So Cal! You are amazing! I can't wait for your second book!! Pick me! Pick me, LOL!!!
    And I love this post. I agree that excellence is not a one time deal, but something to strive for everyday in everything we do, from being excellent artists, to mothers, to Believers. I don't achieve it most days, but will continue to strive for it. Thank you Trish for being so wonderful and inspiring!

    xoxoEsther Orloff

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  40. Thank you for being such a gracious, fun, humorous, joyful teacher. I would go to church for you.
    xoxo
    Colleen Monette

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  41. can't WAIT to see your new book. I will finally be dipping my toe into the wonderful world of wax over labor day weekend with a friend, so exciting!

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  42. So excited to see the new book! I had such a great time in your class(es) at AU last week... Planning to do more!

    Debbie Pine

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  43. congratulations on the new book! i'm glad that i have found your work and blog via our mixed media community on fb - can hardly wait to give encasutic a go. oxo, celia

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  44. Excellent post Trish!! Congratulations on the new book. Congratulations on the steps into your next journey. It is truly a gift that you share your excellence with so many. I know I have been gifted by it.

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  45. congratulations! your talent continues to amaze me! best wishes for your continued success!

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