My prevailing interest in creating art is to convey emotion along with the visual information. At my best, when creating a piece, I am emotionally and physically immersed in the process. What emerges from this involvement is often something unexpected. That’s partly due to the encaustic medium, which has its own ideas, and because I have learned when to try to exert control over it and when to leave it alone.

Encaustic refers to heat, and encaustic medium is a compound of beeswax and damar tree resin in a molten state. The medium is applied molten and then reheated to allow manipulation and the fusing of layers. It’s an alchemical process and often feels like a chemistry project as well as an artistic endeavor.

I am currently interested in creating larger works, and am exploring methods for that. I am developing some simple techniques for manipulating my photographs, and finding ways to have images printed in large format using papers compatible with encaustic medium. I am also experimenting with 3D pieces, including fabric pieces made from antique dresses and slips and mounted work incorporating found and excavated items. Occasionally I use found antique frames for my 2D paper pieces for their patina and charm.