- tree series: making it up
encaustic/photocopy transfer on wood
The shapes of trees have been captivating me lately, and the idea of piecing together different trees was intriguing. In this piece, I've played with various photos to create an imaginary tree. The loose grid structure and subtle colours reflect the change of season to winter. - tree series: grafting
encaustic/photocopy transfer on wood
The shapes of trees have been captivating me lately, and the idea of piecing together different trees was intriguing. In this piece, I've played with various photos to create an imaginary tree. The loose grid structure and subtle colours reflect the change of season to winter. - view from above
encaustic/collage
When teaching encaustic I use "demo" boards to illustrate different techniques. This one began as one of these...! But I liked how it was coming together, and then one of my long time students (KA!) gave me the butterfly to include. - walk with my boys
encaustic/collage
A fragment of an earlier oil painting (done in 1996) was the inspiration for this. It contained a leaf that I brought home from our walk... a blissful time spent exploring and playing in the woods. - the moment
encaustic/collage
An homage to being in the moment regardless of whatever else might be going on...important especially when challenges come up (and all the more elusive). - sunshine
encaustic/collage
Days and days had gone by without any real sunshine. I did this as a recognition of my longing for the suns warmth on my face. - sometimes, there are no words
encaustic/collage on wood - 7"x7"
A piece that didn't work was scraped away, revealing layers below, and then new layers were added. Here I was wanting to do a piece that was not connected to any particular word or idea. The silence allowed what was there to be seen. - sinking
encaustic/collage - 22"x42"
Connected in theme to "like a stone in the sea" this is also about the journey of a stone through water. It is also about being submerged, going below the surface to the depths and the rich darkness. - pond series: inquiring
encaustic/collage on wood - 4"x4"
These little explorations were very much a response to the moment... each with leaves, and other organic materials imbedded in the wax. The surface of a pond in the fall was the inspiration for these. - pond series: floating
encaustic/collage on wood 4"x4"
These little explorations were very much a response to the moment... each with leaves, and other organic materials imbedded in the wax. The surface of a pond in the fall was the inspiration for these. - pond series: dancing
encaustic/collage on wood 4"x4"
These little explorations were very much a response to the moment... each with leaves, and other organic materials imbedded in the wax. The surface of a pond in the fall was the inspiration for these. - pond series: being
encaustic/collage on wood - 4"x4"
These little explorations were very much a response to the moment... each with leaves, and other organic materials imbedded in the wax. The surface of a pond in the fall was the inspiration for these. - no answer
encaustic/collage - 24"x48"
An empty nest. An empty dictionary with one page pulled out and imbedded in the wax. A rusted piece of metal found in the cedar forest. A feather. These seemingly different elements come together to create a cohesive response to questions that have 'no answer'. - map of the world
encaustic/collage/sewing - 28"x28"
Under sewn layers of gauzy fabrics is a map of the world, with the threads flowing outwards into the layers of wax. The layers are almost transparent in their barely tinted hues. This painting is about the pull to explore and travel and how that affects us. - love's gift
encaustic/collage - 18"x18"
Began as a collage in 1987 (before my children were born), this piece was originally titled: "Mother and Child". Reworked in 2006, it underwent a huge change with the addition of the lilies and encaustic over top. The flowers were a gift from my teenage son, and so became "Love's Gift" - losing track of time
encaustic/collage - 18"x18"
The stages of a woman's life subtly portrayed under the glass squares ... maiden, mother and crone. Time takes women to all in a full life, and the ancient watch imbedded in the wax reminds us of time's inevitable progress. - like a stone in the sea
encaustic - (10"-12")x36"
Inspired by a song lyric, I imagined the path that a stone would make as it falls effortlessly down through the water. there is no manipulation, but only a gentle, natural fallling. - just be with what is
encaustic/collage - 7"x7"
An older piece scraped down, exposed beneath the glass in unexpected subtle beauty. A flower with such exuberance and the broken thread contribute to the theme of acceptance. - into the unknown
encaustic/collage - 28"x40"
Mapping a course into unknown territory ... moving from the known to that which is unpredictable, chaotic and wild. The loose grid under the lighter part of the piece is the 'known' and incorporates photocopy transfers of old maps. In the 'unknown' there are deep furrows and gouging. A length of rusted barbed wire divides the two. - held loosely
encaustic/collage - 10"x10"
Experimentation, with many layers of wax and scraping away build a dense textured surface. A photocopy transfer of a Monarch caterpillar hints at the idea of transformation. - fragile series: with love
encaustic/collage on canvas 12"x12"
Here is another of the fragile pieces, pondering the fragility of life. Finding beauty in mundane or ordinary things is part of this collage, with scraps of fabric and odds and ends transformed into treasure. - fragile series: very happy
encaustic/collage on canvas 12"x12"
This hydrangea inspired me, as well as the sentence (written 65 years ago by my Dad) - to explore the nature of happiness. This is another of the fragile series, and reminds me that happiness is to be embraced, but not grasped... that it ebbs and flows in our life of it's own accord. - fragile series: how truth moves
encaustic/collage on wood, 28"x38"
An old brass plumb bob of my Dad's was the inspiration for this piece, and a phrase overheard... the shape of the pendulum was carved into the wax as it moved, finding it's own 'true' vertical. The definition of true is there, partially buried in the wax, as well as the word FRAGILE. This series touched on the fragility of life, and the inherent beauty in that fragility. - fragile series: empty
encaustic/collage
A milkweed pod caught my eye on an autumn walk, its inside so smooth and dark, empty of seeds. This fragile vessel had served its purpose but retained such beauty nonetheless. - exploration
encaustic/collage
Small works like this one are an oppourtunity to try new things: experimenting with many layers, gouging, and learning more about this beautiful medium. - echo
encaustic/collage/photcopy transfer
In the woods one day I took a picture of this tree, in three separate photos - pieced together in the wax (photocopy transfers). I liked the gentle curve of the trunk and the branches reaching beyond the edges. - blown away
encaustic/collage on cotton/wood
Here is a poem about the dandelion losing it's 'hair' that my father wrote as a small boy... and it reminded me of some happy times we spent near the end of his life. This piece is about aging with grace, renewal and love. There are dandelions imbedded in the wax, as well as fabric, string, paper and a single seed. - bill c-38: the icing on the cake
encaustic/collage - 3x16"x36"
A celebratory response to Canada's decision regarding the legalization of gay and lesbian marriage. The cakes are covered with layers of beeswax and an old wedding dress was used as the collage element. Confetti is strewn about, and layers are carved out to reveal the depth of the wax. - suspended
encaustic/collage
This is a response to a difficult moment one of being flung "upside down" emotionally. Often all we can do is ride out such times, and know that this too shall pass. - prayer for clarity
encaustic/collage on wood - 10"x10"
This series contains worn, threadbare prayer flags, each holding a prayer for something different, in this case, 'clarity'. I wanted to work with the idea that prayer is something that is a part of everyday life, not separate from our daily experience. - prayer for love
encaustic/collage on wood - 10"x10"
This series contains worn, threadbare prayer flags, each holding a prayer for something different, in this case, 'love'. I wanted to work with the idea that prayer is something that is a part of everyday life, not separate from our daily experience. - prayer for forgiveness
encaustic/collage on wood - 10"x10"
This series contains worn, threadbare prayer flags, each holding a prayer for something different, in this case, 'forgiveness'. I wanted to work with the idea that prayer is something that is a part of everyday life, not separate from our daily experience. - prayer for peace
encaustic/collage on wood - 10"x10"
This series contains worn, threadbare prayer flags, each holding a prayer for something different, in this case, 'peace'. I wanted to work with the idea that prayer is something that is a part of everyday life, not separate from our daily experience. - knowing
encaustic/collage - 7"x7"
An opportunity to play with the ideas of what it means to know, and letting go of the need to know. Do I know more when I know less? - not knowing
encaustic/collage - 7"x7"
An opportunity to play with the ideas of what it means to know, and letting go of the need to know. Do I know more when I know less?