Cycles of life, changing seasons, and repeating patterns – they all emerge in my work. I see beauty in imperfections. Take a second glance at a weathered face or a forgotten building and a story unfolds. Nature, music, and people and places that are out of the ordinary; these are the things that beckon to me. I capture a moment in time - a hidden story.
Bio
I was exposed to art at an early age through my grandmother, who was a quilter and an aunt who is a porcelain artist. I learned the art of quilting from my grandmother and for years have designed my own quilts. I find relaxation in fitting shapes together to create something that is both beautiful and functional. Repeating shapes emerge in my encaustic work because of my background in quilting. I also studied porcelain art with my aunt, who has painted and taught workshops for over 30 years.
Nature has inspired me for as long as I can remember. My soul is revived by walking in a quiet forest, listening to birds call to each other, moving water carressing my feet, quietly watching animals gather food, and studying diverse plant life. I became a hobby beekeeper in 2006 and I love beholding the cycle of life that occurs within a hive – observing the queen deposit a single tiny egg in each cell, witnessing a bee emerge from a cell ready to go to work, watching the frames fill with sweet honey, and finally harvesting the surplus honey and tasting its golden goodness.
While looking for a way to use beeswax in other ways besides candles and soap, I discovered the ancient art of painting with wax. Very quickly, it became my favorite medium. Working on a piece, smelling the molten beeswax with its delicate honey scent, and knowing how hard the bees worked to make the wax is nothing short of a spiritual experience for me.
