Associations | 2019-2020

As I continue to pursue the more abstract realm, I conveniently learned the ropes of encaustic at the end of October 2019 when visiting my mom in Colorado. She taught me the building blocks as we set up her new studio in her home, and we played in wax for the about entirety of the visit together (conveniently snowed in). I got hooked. Upon my return to Missouri I started gathering the tools and supplies to continue creating using this process.

I love the hunt for found items and imagery from old books and magazines, and then grouping them together to create a sort of abstract story. I also love planning the composition and keeping in mind how the wax obscures the deepest layers often making you second guess what you're seeing, and simultaneously creating a beautiful surrealistic depth that sends you back in time.

Specifically, this series contains preserved butterflies given to me by an artist friend who found them at an estate sale, a New Age encyclopedia from 1980, LIFE Magazines from the 50s, ink drawings on rice paper, fabric patterns, lace, specialty papers, buttons, screens, stamps, beads, pebbles, gold leaf, eucalyptus leaves, an aspen leaf, and even a penny!

Released at OH Gallery May 2021