Statement of Intent

My works may be described as abstract visual narratives recording my own personal journey through various stages of life, growth and transformation.  Life changing experiences, including the physical, emotional and spiritual, have all deeply influenced and informed the content of my artwork…..so too has my love of nature which parallels the ever changing human condition.

My works are both physical and metaphorical in nature placing emphasis on process and materials.  They are comprised of numerous multi layered surfaces reflecting the many physical and emotional layers that make up who we are as individuals.  Images, markings and gestural brushstrokes are buried and concealed beneath multiple thin layers of paint only to be revealed or transformed at a later moment in time.

For over two decades, I have chosen encaustic (an ancient Greek painting medium that combines beeswax with pure pigment) as my primary medium.  Encaustic is the name for both the medium and the process which involves heat.  In order to apply encaustic to a surface, it must be kept in a molten state on a heated palette.  Once applied, the pigmented wax is then lightly melted or fused to the layer beneath it through the use of a heat source (i.e. heat gun or propane torch).  The painstaking process of melting and fusing numerous subsequent layers creates a strong and sensual surface.

For me, the allure of encaustic has to do with its optical depth, luminosity and versatility.  The potential to be etched, scraped, collaged, embedded and layered is virtually endless.  The ability to create varying degrees of transparent, translucent and opaque surfaces ranging from smoothly polished to highly textured, creates an ongoing dynamic of concealment and revelation which will hopefully engage the viewer and encourage personal reflection.