I love the encaustic medium for its texture, ability to layer and embed objects, and the vibrancy of the colors. For the past 2 years I have focused on making sculptures from encaustic wax and found objects as a means to push the boundaries of my creative ideas, medium and process. My recent sculptural works (from 2 series: TOTEMS and CHIMERA) use the techniques of encaustic painting in a unique way.
I create sculptures by building an armature, using up to 30 coats of encaustic paint, fusing each layer and using various melting and carving tools to create texture. Most of the pieces are figurative: robots, monsters or fantastical chimerical creations part human and part animal or plant. They are colorful and emotive and create a sense of wonder and movement through the use of shape, color and texture.
Through my art I am encouraging the viewer to feel something about the object they are viewing, whether it be recognition, familiarity, curiosity, empathy, happiness or horror. I want to challenge the viewer, to open their eyes to the nature of the world and to think about their personal everyday relationships with people, animals and culture.
The encaustic painting technique, with color pigment embedded in layers of hot wax, is one of the oldest painting techniques, dating back to Greece, for murals, and Egypt where Fayum mummy portraits were painted over 2200 years ago. These portraits, painted on small wooden panels, were attached to mummy cases or the mummy wrappings. The vibrancy of the colors is fixed in the wax, preventing fading over time.