The Process
Encaustic painting, also known as hot wax painting, involves applying pigmented beeswax to an absorbent surface, such as wood, canvas or paper. Many types of tools are used to shape the paint before it cools, and heat lamps, heat guns and torches can extend the working time. The wax can be scraped, gouged carved once it has cooled and oil paint can be added.
Encaustic can be impregnated with papers, foils, strings, fabric, or found objects of almost any material. Objects can be placed in layers on top of each other, or layers can be separated with medium to give the effect of floating. Drawings and photocopied material can also be transferred to the surface.
Encaustic was used in the Fayum mummy portraits from Egypt, as well as in many works of 20th-century American artists, including Jasper Johns.
Ink on Paper. These quick, lively gestural drawings, made with sumi and walnut inks, delight and surprise me every time. I usually work on a dozen at a time, hands flying and mind (hopefully) disengaged. They are my yoga of art, loosening me up and leaving me open to whatever happens.
Printmaking. In the past several years I have connected with several printmakers—amazing artists who have been incredibly generous with their time, knowledge and resources. From relief prints, which can result in an edition of identical prints (woodblocks, linoleum prints and letterpress are all examples of relief prints—I have worked mostly with collographs, building up plates with glue, cardboard, string and various natural substances) to various forms of monotypes which produce original, one-of-a-kind prints (touchprints, watercolor monotypes and gelatin prints), I find the printing process exciting and challenging.